| Steve was born in Guildford, Surrey in 1962, the first born of 4 children. He
went to Westborough Primary School and then to Park Barn Secondary School, at 13 he went to
Sheephatch Boarding School in Tilford, Surrey for 1 year. He left school at the age of 16. |
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| At the tender age of 8 he became a Cub Scout, (shorts, long socks, hand made
sock garters [all part of the needlework badge], itchy jumper, flat cap and woggle) eventually
moving up to Scouts and Venture Scouts playing an active role in all aspects of Scouting. The
years spent in the 'World of Scouting' gave him a fantastic grounding for life. He believes
all youngsters should have the opportunity to experience what he did. He was a Cub Scout leader
for 11 years and hopefully passed on some of his knowledge and skills to the youngsters of today. |
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| At 13, he was entered into a school athletics race by the PE teacher, that event being the hurdles. Having
had no experience whatsoever, he did surprisingly well. The teacher advised him to continue with this venture and he
subsequently joined Bracknell Athletics Club, had professional coaching and managed to achieve a good standard as
a youth, reaching the All England Schools Championship. He won several medals and suffered scraped knees and cinder
track burns having fallen over on more than one occasion. |
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| Upon leaving school it was always his desire to join the Police Force but being too young at 16 he
became a "driver's mate" for a year delivering office furniture around the south of England. |
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| At 17 he joined the Police Cadets with Surrey Constabulary spending 6 months at Mount Browne in Guildford. This
period involved training based in the classroom and outward bound activities. He then spent 6 months working alongside regular
Constables at Addlestone Police Station. At 18 he joined the regular Police Force with Surrey Constabulary. He did his
training at Ashford in Kent, the regional Police Training Centre and on completion was posted to Camberley Police Station
where he walked the beat, successfully completing his 2 year probation. He served 5 years there before moving to Traffic
Department at Chertsey attaining his Advanced Driving and Advanced Motorcycling classifications. In 1990 he transferred
to the Metropolitan Police where he was posted to Hounslow Police Station. He soon had the desire to return to
Traffic Department and in 1992 was posted to Hampton Traffic Garage where he still continues to serve today. He now works in
the Commercial vehicle Unit, a small specialist unit dealing with all aspects of Commercial Traffic in London. He has
managed to obtain various qualifications relating to this role including National and International passenger and
goods Transportation Management qualifications and his HGV and PCV vocational licence. |
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| Steve was married in 1984 and had four children all in fairly quick succession; in fact they had four children
under 5 years of age. Benjamin the eldest, Hannah and twins Matthew & Samuel. |
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| Ben his eldest son was diagnosed very early in life with a very rare Metabolic Disorder, OCT, the only hospital
that was able to treat this disorder was Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, they spent many months in this wonderful
humbling place. The expertise and care that Ben received was second to none. Because of the disorder Ben had to be on
a vast amount of medication, as a result of complications with this medication he had to endure many operations, Steve
thinks they stopped counting at 26! |
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| Ben tragically lost his life in 2006 at 18 years of age. Steve’s youngest son Samuel has the same condition
as his older brother Ben. |
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| Steve and his wife Maria now devote much of their time to fundraising for charitable causes, which are close
to their heart. In 2007 they walked the West Highland Way 95 miles across Scotland – Glasgow to Fort William raising
£3000. This was given to Wishes 4 Kids, a charity that grants wishes to terminally ill children. In 2009 they raised
a further £1000 for the same charity. |
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| Steve followed his father into Freemasonry and was Initiated in 1991 into The Royal Edward Lodge No 4787, rising
through the offices and being installed as Master by his father in 1998, a very special father and son moment. In 1995 he was
Exalted in the Royal Arch. In 1997 Steve was invited as a guest to St John's Chapter No 795. He enjoyed it so much he never
left, becoming a joining member. He became MEZ in 2004 and is now the DC. Steve is also a member of Berkshire First
Principals. |
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| When Steve was asked what he particularly enjoyed about RA Masonry he said, "it had to be, the warmth, the
friendliness, the sincerity and above all the companionship that is experienced within the Province of Berkshire. Belonging
to a Province that has 38 Chapters is the envy of many a Royal Arch Mason". |
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Steve now plans to do a cycle ride around the Province of Berkshire visiting all 10 Chapter meeting places. The ride will
start at Sindlesham then to Newbury, Hungerford, Wantage, Faringdon, Abingdon, Wallingford, Pangbourne, Wokingham, Windsor
and then back to Sindlesham a distance of 129 miles! |
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| He hopes to get a team of 10 or so Royal Arch Masons from Berkshire Province to join him in this venture. This
mammoth task will be completed in one day. It is hoped to raise £5000 that will be donated to the 2013 Bicentenary Appeal
in support of the Royal College of Surgeons. If anyone is interested in joining BRACE
(Berkshire Royal Arch Cycle Enthusiasts) please get in contact with Steve he will be more than happy to add your name
to the team list. |
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