I read history for my first degree and taught for a brief while before ordination in the Church of England. I spent 20 years as a curate, vicar and university chaplain before becoming a senior lecturer at university where I spent the next 20 years. My post graduate degrees (Masters and Doctorate) and my research area are on ecclesiology and I taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses on the history of Christianity, monasticism and Biblical studies. Since retirement 10 years ago I have volunteered for English Heritage as a guide at Whitby Abbey, Byland Abbey and Rievaulx Abbey. I have specialist knowledge of Rievaulx Abbey, Cistercianism, Aelred of Rievaulx, Whitby Abbey, St Hild and the Synod of Whitby. I do guided tours for all groups - families, general visitors, school groups, college students, visitors from other countries. I have done talks to various history and archaeological societies as well as talks to school groups across the age ranges and college/university students both face to face and via online platforms.