The Basics

When my son was born I set up what was intended to be the daddy blog which would revolutionise parenting. It ran to a single entry, so my aim that this will be a longer-lasting enterprise is not unrealistic. I hope.

The main aim of this blog is for me to create something with words other than the copywriting, funding bids, minutes, and evaluations which usually bring me to the keyboard. A subsidiary plan is to throw some of my thoughts and opinions into the ether, more to get them out of my head than because I think anyone will be particularly interested. At the risk of sounding like an over-earnest 80s indie band talking to the NME, this really is for me and if anyone else at all appreciates it that will be a bonus.

Having said which, I will post links to this on my Twitter account and may pester relevant people to repost. Just because I'm not expecting people to be interested doesn't mean I won't try and give them the chance.

In the unlikely event you're reading this first post and don't already know me, I'm a southerner very happily settled in the gorgeous and friendly North Yorkshire market town of Masham. I adore Yorkshire and Yorkshire folk - most especially my wife Jan - with the zeal of a convert, and am hoping for honorary citizenship in a few decades' time.

Having spent 15 years running venues in That London, my career is now more portmanteau, taking in fundraising, sustainability, education, and historical research. As administrator of Masham Town Hall, I still get the chance to organise and enable community and arts events, which keeps me relatively sane. This year I had the privilege of co-ordinating Masham's Tour de France Grand Départ steering group, and that weekend in July was an utter life highlight. And I say that as someone who has hiked to the foot of the Grand Canyon, reached the final of Mastermind, and given Bill Bryson his first paid speaking engagement.

My interests, on about which this blog will annoyingly bang, include the arts (in the widest possible sense of that inadequate phrase), politics and social issues (I believe that socialism and love are the answer), and sport (especially Reading FC and baseball's San Francisco Giants). Something to alienate everybody there, I feel. The Boy is thriving on the south coast, bringing me joy and transport costs in equal measure, and while my parentblogging did not change the world I dare say he will inspire some Thoughts as well.

Thanks for reading this. I used to write well, and hope this blog will help me regain some sort of style. With love to everyone, Nick x