I am a Shropshire-based botanist, ecologist and wildlife enthusiast. I have a PhD in seed science and have been an Open University Ecology Tutor, teacher of natural history classes and courses, Education Officer for the North York Moors National Park and a Primary School Teacher. I am a member of the Garden Media Guild - the professional organisation for communicating on gardening and horticultural topics. My wife and I are joint authors of the Aidgap guides - Orchids, Woodland Flowers and Grassland Flowers 1. We spent 27 years in the Hebrides engaged in wildlife surveys and teaching. In 2007 we were involved in the development of The Botanist Islay Dry Gin and, until we retired in 2017, we collected and prepared all the local botanicals for every distillation. This provides the focus of our most popular illustrated talk. Many of my talks are interactive, all are illustrated and are enlivened by anecdotes and experiences gained throughout my varied career.