Family, Friends, Farming, Fonts, Folk-right & Freedom

My biographical philosophy is pretty simple to follow. The family usually comes first, and everything emanates from that. I have luckily been blessed with outstanding good fortune and am well aware of this. However, I also humbly accept that all people and circumstances should be treated respectfully, conscientiously and with kindness. This to my mind this has generally been the custom of English tradition.

English heritage, its culture, landscape, and traditions has always been an essential element of my being. As an inherited freeman and with common land in Sudbury, Suffolk, the countryside, and farming has a natural part in my interests.

My career began in boarding school at Petersfield before farm training at East Grinstead and attending Plumpton Agricultural College. I was most fortunate to have enjoyed further education, by apprenticeship in a technical capacity. This has included engineering, quality assurance, and the development of several products that are in everyday use today.

The printing business gave me the opportunity to travel around the world meeting many interesting people. In the world of typography (and fonts) I came in contact with internationally renowned designers, publishers, and manufacturers. This further involved me in the commercial skills and practicalities of competitive business. My professional qualifications have included a BA (Hons) Dip IM, Eng Tech.(CEI) MCMI, FSTD. FRSA.

I later gained a postgraduate (professional) diploma in landscape architecture and life fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts. Where it comes to my interests in the lore and laws of folk-right and freedom. There has always been an overruling concern for its philosophy, history, and practices, along with free speech, free democratic trade, and the general rule of law.

This interest in common rights and the countryside led me to study the anticipated demands of the general public and ‘a right to roam’. As a result of the government establishing the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) I became a founder member of the Local Access Forum, representing the common landowners and right holders of Gloucestershire.

My association with the Freemen of England and Wales has brought me into many interesting and far-reaching discussions. I  have enjoyed the company of leading practitioners. Wining and dining even with Bishops and their spouses and among others, Sir Peter Gadsden, Lord Mayor of London (my mentor in the Blacksmiths Company).

As a liveryman and guildsman of the City of London, I became a life member of the Royal Society of St George and of the City Livery Club. I am also a member of The Wynken de Worde Society, Fleet Street. Recently I retired, after many years within the Executive of the national body of the Freemen of England and Wales, but will continue representing the Freemen of Sudbury, Suffolk. In this respect I am also a member of the Suffolk History Council and the Records Society. I was honoured, in May 2023 to be invited an Associate member of the Chartered Freemen and Women of Gloucester. These two borough towns have much in common with the founding de Clare family.

Perhaps, my greatest achievement has been the restoration of 16 acres of ancient common land in the Forest of Dean, namely Highleadon Green. An area of neglected historic land with no known ownership. I managed to create a ‘scheme’ applying the little known 1899 Act, to gain access and formulate an Association to restore and maintain a desirable ‘Community Green’ (Constituted 2005). The information of which is held within the House of Commons.

The contents of this website are deliberately intended to provide the reader with a range of related sides about my  core subjects and activities. These include the primary features of historical importance and or of related interest.

In conclusion, this website particularly concentrates on the development of events in English law and culture that were based upon customs founded long ago in early Anglo-Saxon times.