I grew up in 57 Brassey Road in the Fifties and early Sixties, attending Winton & Moordown School (Infants and then Juniors) in Coronation Avenue until 1956 and then Bournemouth Grammar School until 1961. I was in the 4th Bournemouth Wolf Cubs at W&M School and then the 1st Bournemouth Boys Brigade at Winton Congregational Church which also had a great Youth Club every Saturday Night.

Growing up in Winton back then was actually like growing up in a village. Life centred on Wimborne Road from Coronation Avenue to The Banks and friends all lived on the roads adjoining the main road. You might once in a while end up down town in the Square but my social life as a teenager revolved around Winton.

When you went to the cinema, it would be the Moderne, the Ritz; and once or twice the Plaza (Continental). You had to be 18 to get in there to see the latest 'X' rated Bridget Bardot film, so it was quite an achievement as a 14 year old to sneak in with your mates sharing 10 Woodbines in the front row.

I served in the Royal Navy from 1961 until 1972 and finally settled in in a small town on the east coast of Jutland, Denmark. I got married along the way and have two daughters.

I was raised and lived in Winton between 1945 and 54. We lived in Maple Road and my grandparents Len and Daisy Collis stewarded the Winton Conservative Club for many years. I got involved in the 60's rock scene and played guitar with the Giles brothers in Johnny King and the Raiders and was a founder member of Zoot Money's Big Roll Band. Among other things I have been a driving instructor, lecturer, director of a national company and management consultant.

My wife and I now live in retirement in Chiangmai, Thailand. We found the cost of housing and living were a fraction of those in Britain. We were able to build our own house with swimming pool and pay cash for it, buy a car for cash and generally afford to live the good life.

Even in the rainy season, it seems to rain mostly at night.

The big secret about this city must be the people. They're the friendliest and most charming people you could wish to meet. Many of them speak English and many more of them try. We've made a lot of Thai friends in the six years we've been here and been made welcome in their homes and to their celebrations.

And another thing - Thais are the coolest, laid-back folk that you can imagine. Nothing much seems to worry them and any excuse will spawn a party.