Altrincham

I was born in nearby Hale, just over a mile from Altrincham and spent the formative years of my childhood there. My father died when I was 15 and my mother was soon offered a luxury flat if she would act as a caretaker to a firm of Altrincham solicitors (Nicholls, Lindesell and Harris).

We moved there to live in a penthouse apartment above their offices at 7, Market Street, Altrincham.

I got an apprenticeship in the nearby Atlantic Street industrial trading estate of Broadheath, near the Manchester Road. I trained as an instrument maker with the Record Electrical Co., before joining the Royal Air Force as an instrument fitter on navigation equipment.

I had many interesting experiences, including buying a collection of classic motorbikes (BSA, Aerial Leader, Tiger Cub, James, etc) which continued up until after I left the RAF. I took the opportunity for regular nude sunbathing after school and after work also most weekends if the weather was favourable at a local wood, with the farmer’s approval.

Having been a naturist/pagan and involved in the study and practice of ritual magic since the age of 11, I formed my own skyclad (nude) occult group when I was aged 16, much like Harry Potter at Hogwarts. I invited a reporter round from the Altrincham Guardian and got a centre-page spread, to promote it.

As a pagan, I loved the outdoor life and spent many happy hours at the River Bollin and Dunham Park. I also went rock climbing to Laddow and Windgather rocks and regular weekend caving trips to Castleton.

If you’re near Manchester and you are visiting the Trafford Centre, stop by Altrincham. It’s nice.