My professional career linked to life's personal tapestry of highs and lows, has led me to become a fully qualified celebrant, a role I see more as a vocation than a job.

After some 44 years dealing directly with people from all walks of life and professions, in a career that involved presenting publicly, in a style that was often engaging, informative, and most importantly fun, I retired in July 2023.

Among the many highs in my life are the births of our two beautiful grand-daughters Orlaith and Olivia, my marriage during lockdown to my wonderful wife Pamela, and hosting charity events, organised with my two amazing daughters Claire and Colette, raising over £30,000,  through the generosity of many friends and family, for St Andrews Hospice. This hospice cared  for my first wife Carol, mum to Claire and Colette, and we can never repay them for the love and care they gave to Carol in her final days.

Among life's lows has been the passing of my much loved dad John, my wonderful first wife Carol aged 53, and more recently the sudden passing of my youngest brother Christopher, aged just 50. A huge loss for our family, his beautiful sons, and our mum Jessie.

To be asked to be the celebrant by couples who are preparing for a life together through marriage, or to renew their wedding vows, after so many years together, is an incredible privilege. Allowing me to share in their emotions of love, happiness, and joy, through their unique love story, and helping them to choose their vows, music, rituals or whatever they so wish, is such an honour.

Those same emotions are also to be found when I meet with families of a loved one who has passed away. Among their loving emotions are those of grief, sadness, heartache, and a great sense of loss. Taking all these emotions and crafting together a eulogy that pays tribute to that loved one is again an honour and privilege that makes celebrancy, for me, a vocation and not a job.