Geoff was born and educated in Coventry. He grew up in an Inner City suburb within sight of the Cathedral and the city centre. He has a London University degree in Teaching (English Speech and Drama) and a B.Phil (Hons) Birmingham University degree in Management. Whilst at College he lived in both South and East London, met Maggie there and they got married in West Ham Parish Church before returning to the Midlands to teach. Geoff took early retirement to focus fully on writing and public performance. He has lived in a village on the Warwickshire-Leicestershire border since 1987.
Geoff's articles have been published in magazines as diverse as When Saturday Comes and the Times Educational Supplement. He has also written in local papers and has reviewed venues and albums for various music magazines. As Auntie Whitestone he anonymously became (via a fanzine), Soccer's first Agony Aunt, and probably the only one to have a Blog. Geoff's short Stories have been published in hardback anthologies and in some magazines. Nasreem, and The Phantom Heinkel have been were broadcast on BBC Radio.
He has completed several other unpublished full length works including adult and children's fiction and plays.
Performance
Geoff's poetry has been published in national and local magazines. A few poems have been published in hardback and paperback anthologies. His original song lyrics have appeared on albums released in CD and Vinyl formats. A debut album was recorded 1978 in Pathway Studios, London. One track which was a tongue in cheek homage to a Vacuum Cleaner was given Radio One airplay by John Peel. A second album was released in Autumn 2008. A Solo Album What a Folking Liberty is part recorded and mixed but mixing and release has been delayed by Lockdown.
As well as a sprinkling of Amateur dramatic roles in schools, theatres and Coventry Cathedral, Geoff (who as a lad was a choirboy!!) once sang Lead in a Gilbert and Sullivan Opera. Accompanied by a full orchestra and choir.
Geoff has an interest in local broadcasting. Formerly presented a weekly features spot on BBC local radio and has a read a few of his short stories there too. For the last five years he has researched, scripted and co-presented two hour-long music shows per month for local/online radio. Other interesting vocal work includes recording a voice over for a Feature film trailers, and a commentary for a factual presentation.
For the record
Geoff attended the same College of Education as Ken Livingstone. Where he once met John Lee Hooker and made him a cup of coffee. Geoff (briefly!) held a World record for (marathon non-stop) Table Tennis. He played (badly!) against England and Spurs footballer Danny Thomas during a Friendly and ended up injured. He is a member of CAMRA and the RSPB and an NHS volunteer. He is also in a Shanty Crew and is a singer in the band Nunc. He runs Nuneaton Folk Club and edits a website and a Blog.
