I have been a book collector, researcher and keen writer for more than forty years. In 2009 I founded 'The Westerman Yarns', a collective of like minded people who research, promote and encourage interest in the lives and works of children’s adventure writers. I have worked in music, the arts and event management; a specialist topic that I taught at a further education college for ten years until I embarked on my misspent retirement when I threw myself into researching more about many of the topics that I never found the time to explore, whilst holding down a ‘proper job’. During my time as a local authority arts officer I worked on several literature festivals that developed and expanded my interest in literary research, and fired my enthusiasm for learning about the lives and works of ‘forgotten’ and lesser known authors. More recently I have conducted research into the history of the area where I live, in particular, the diverse history of the north of Portsmouth and Portsdown Hill. I hope that you find something to interest your audience in my diverse list of talks. If you want to know more or have any questions, please email me.