Council house life in the tough end of South East London is no joke. Life in those days revolved around the betting shop, the working mans club, fights, mundane working life, boredom, alcohol and who ever you can take home and hopefully alleviate what can best be described as a crippling waste. Failing the 11+ in 1959 meant you were consigned to the scrap heap of life. The fact that I could put 2 and 2 together and signed my name meant that the delightful Sedgehill Secondary Modern had fulfilled it`s obligation regarding supplying me with an education, at fifteen years of age I was on the streets but something inside knew this life was not for me. Salvation came in a Chinese Take away when I was standing there somewhat inebriated a former apprentice colleague came in looking as fit as a butchers dog "God you look a mess" was his`s opening line. He invited me to a Council run sub aqua club which he has a heavy involvement with, I never looked back. It was made clear to me from the off that sub-aqua can be a dangerous sport when it goes wrong and if you are not prepared to take responsibility for yourself and your diving partner there`s the door. I took the responsibility onboard and partnered some very nice people and was given advice and direction. Denis O`Callaghan, Alan Bennett and the late Tom Shanly, I will always be eternally grateful. To those that feel as I was LOST, believe me it`s out there, you just have to go and find it.
