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Other Interests
Archaeology Genealogy Reading (mainly comic fiction) Politics Satire Wine, Women and
Song Favourites. . . Film: Goldfinger Song: Substitute by Clout Album: American Beauty by The Grateful Dead Football Team: Glasgow Celtic TV Prog: 3rd Rock from the Sun Cartoon: Roadrunner Drink: Beer - Guiness, Wine - Cabernet, Whisky - Dalmore 12 yr old Author: Terry Pratchett Car: Aston Martin DB5 |
Derek Spence – Biography
I work for the award winning gift manufacturer Grants of Dalvey as Senior Storeman/Despatch Clerk. I am also heavily involved in the Alness community, mainly working on the Alness and District Times. The 'ADT' is a monthly 20 page community newspaper that has gained many plaudits from the 'big boys' in the media. The first issue hit the streets in March 1990 and has been selling big numbers ever since. It's one of the things I am really proud of. As well as designing the adverts, I also do some of the journalism and photos I first started playing the piano when I was around nine, picking out TV theme tunes with one finger. The piano had to go to make room for new additions to the family and I moved to guitar. In a previous life I was a Professional Photographer specialising in children's portraits, mainly candid ones taken at nursery or playgroup. This led me into working with the little darlings as a playgroup playleader and child care support worker for the charity Home-Start.
I like collecting old vinyl at charity shops and car boot sales ('Yard Sales' in the States) and recently found the Van der Valk theme tune; Eye Level by the Simon Park Orchestra. It cost me 50p. This was the first tune I picked out on the piano back in that dark period they call 'The Seventies'. I've recently taken over admin duties for the Alness website (www.alness.com) and am currently working on another one for Alness (www.visitalness.org.uk). In-between times I am a Director and the Minute Secretary for the Alness Community Association Ltd and paid Secretary for Alness Community Council.
With all the time these take up, I reckon I've got about an hour to spare to get the shopping done... The Early Years 1966 - 1983 5th October 1966 - Born in
Dingwall, Ross-shire at 12:40pm
1971 - 1978 - Set off on the long and tortuous journey in eddukashun... Didn't become a glamorous allumni of Bridgend Primary School, Alness after all. I enjoyed the first few years at Bridgend I think, but by the time I was 10 or 11, I'd had enough already The Middle Years 1978 - 1982 Alness Academy beckoned... and a fully rounded individual was produced, ready to take his place in polite society. Except I
didn't get any qualifications recognised by the country's top universities. Except for Art, Music and English, it was almost a complete waste of mine and the teacher's time Haven't put my in-depth knowledge of trigonometry to good use in the outside world, but I live in hope. |
