About Me.

 

Why SwindonCanary ?

It's because I live in Swindon and support Norwich City Football  Club,  nicknamed 'The Canaries'

Known throughout the internet as 'SwindonCanary' I even get mail through my door addressed to

Mr S, Canary !  

 

My real name is Martin James. I was born in deepest darkest Cornwall. In a little village called St. Keverne (look it up) but I was not alone, I had a twin brother !  It came as a complete surprise to my parents and they had decided that if it was a boy he would be called 'Martin Paul James' instead the first born (Me by 5 mins.) was be called Martin James and the 2nd born Paul James neither of us were given a middle name and I like it like that.

 

My Dad, Bryan Morris James, joined the Royal Air Force, so throughout my childhood we moved from one R.A.F. Base to another we lived in Bedfordshire, Yorkshire, Somerset and Germany. Then when I was 11 years old, my Dad was posted to RAF Coltishall, Norfolk and we lived in Sprowston, Norwich, somehow dad wrangled it so he stayed at Coltishall for over 6 years, meaning we had a settled education, my 'informative' years were spent in Norwich and as soon as we arrived, I started supporting the local football Club, Norwich City, in those day they were a second division team who's only claim to fame was an FA Cup semi final.

 

After leaving school I decided to follow my dad and join the forces,  I didn't fancy re-visiting  all those RAF Bases, and as a young 16 year old, I fancied travelling a bit more, so I joined the Royal Navy, and had a great time visiting ports all over the world, and doing very little work, all on the governments money. (thanks to all you tax payers out there !)  

 

After 11 years in the Navy, I decided to leave the service and settle down somewhere,  I ended up in Swindon because I managed to get a job at Rover Cars Pressing Plant, later to become 'Plant BMW Swindon', pressing body panels for the mini car.  I worked there for 29 years then a few years ago they were trying to reduce the workforce, offering early retirement to anyone over 55, I was 55 years old, and after studying what was on offer, I found out that my monthly retirement income would be only £120 less than I was actually picking up in wages ! A no brainer,  I took the retirement at 55 years old. I now by get work during the winter Sept-March at Honda UK  (just to top up the funds) and take the summers off -- I'm loving it ! Update -- I'm now fully retired, it helped that I started to pick up my Navy pension, which means I'm now picking up more money than I ever did in my working life ! My life in full retirement is not dull, I keep myself busy,  Tuesday play football, Thursday Golf and Saturday is, of course, watching the footy. Plus I do voluntary work, on call to help out the Police when they need a responsible adult !

I'm also on call for family and friends 24-7 !

 

 

 

General interests

Norwich City Football Club.
Athletics - Road,Track,Cross-Country, and now Field Official. 
Family History
Football
Photography
and more Football!

Music

Rock to Classical
If it's got a catchy tune, I like the music.

Movies

Pirates of the Caribbean
Schindlers List
Monty Python films
Pulp Fiction
Pink Panther
Shawshank Redemption
Kill Bill

Television

Yes, I have one
and Probably watch too much.
(don't like or watch any soaps)

Books

Don't seem to have the time for a long read, so it's usually Mags.
The only time I read books is whilst on holiday, last one was Fatal by Michael Palmer
This may seem a little weird, but my best read was "Shall We Tell the President?" by Jeffery Archer !

Details

• Status: Married

• Hometown: Swindon, Norwich, St. Keverne !

• Orientation: Straight

• Body type: Athletic

• Ethnicity: White / Caucasian

• Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

• Children: Proud parent

• Smoke - No

• Drink - Yes

• Occupation: None !

 

      My School ---Sprowston Secondary Modern School

                   Norwich, Norfolk.   1967 to 1971

       Companies I've worked for

 

      Royal Navy

                    Marine Engineering Mechanic

 

      B.M.W.  Plant Swindon

                     Working on a Schuler Blanking Press

 

        

        Honda

                      Swindon, Wiltshire UK   2 x 6 months  on an  'agency' contract