My general CV

• 1950: Born in Kent. Thereafter lived in New Eltham, S.E. London, U.K.



• 1961-1972: Educated at Eltham College, and Pembroke College, Cambridge where I took a degree in Natural Sciences



• 1972-1975: Worked in Greenwich public libraries



• 1975: Headed down to Devon to try my hand at writing, where I have lived ever since. Wrote, over the course of many years, three unpublished and probably unpublishable novels, along with poems and comedy scripts. Became a member of the (Anglican) Parish of Central Exeter with which I continue to be involved



• 1976-1980: Worked variously as library assistant and psychiatric nurse - though not at the same time...



• 1980-1982: Took a social work degree at Exeter University



• 1982-1988: Worked as a therapist in psychiatric day hospitals and therapy clinics in Somerset and Devon



• 1988: Become fully self-employed; continued working in private capacity as therapist-counsellor whilst continuing to write fiction, poetry and comedy sketches



• 1988-present day: Publication of seven books of poems, plus a miscellany of short stories and articles.



• 2002: Started working one day a week at the second-hand bookshop Joel Segal Books in Topsham, Devon

• 2006: Began PhD at Exeter University, picking up on long-standing interests both in evolutionary theory and in spirituality. Continued involvement in the world of mental health

• 2009: Co-wrote with Nigel Walsh the musical Bethlehem! Resumed the writing and performing of comedy with the cabaret-revue Seventh Sense

• 1961: Tiger, who died in the snows of the harsh '63 winter



• 1963: Timmy



• 1978: Corrie, who gave birth to



• 1979: Dennis, Pips, Mallen and Jim



• 1989: Frinkle



• 1993: Bonnie



• 2005: Lyra who is named after the heroine of Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' trilogy

• 1969: Became a member of the Cambridge University 'Footlights'


• 1970: Founder member of The Headlights cabaret-revue team (latterly: Seventh Sense) with Chris Farrell, Gordon Clarke & Fran Jordan; later joined by Tim Unwin. Performances at Cambridge May Balls and other social functions.


• 1971: Wrote and staged the revue Mind the Boggles with Gordon Clarke, Caroline Noble, Chris Jones, Pete Tyson, Paul Cheshire - and Chris Saunders as 'Turntable'


• 1972-1975: Wrote and performed a range of cabaret dates in S.E. London with Gordon Clarke


• 1977 onwards: Short fiction and poems published in a range of literary magazines - South West Review, Critical Quarterly, Orbis, Westwords, Acumen, The Guardian etc


• 1988: Publication of first collection of poems Leaping & Staggering


• 1989: Went on a poetry-reading tour of the south-west region, sponsored by SW Arts - with Chris Southgate


• 1990: Publication of poetry sequence In The Stillness based on the writings of Julian of Norwich


• 1990-2000: Co-founded and co-edited the poetry magazine Otter


• 1993: Publication of third collection of poetry The Melting Woman


• 1993: Appearance on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe performing one-man sketch-based comedy, and two-man poetry readings with Chris Southgate


• 1995: Publication of poetry collection Still Staggering


• 1996: Wrote & performed the cabaret-revue Richard Skinner Entertains (allegedly) for the Society of Mary & Martha


• 1998: Publication of poetry collection Echoes of Eckhart


• 1999: Wrote & performed the cabaret-revue Mind the Boggles for the Society of Mary & Martha


• 2000: Wrote & performed the cabaret-revue Mind the Boggles II for the Society of Mary & Martha


• 2001: The Virtual Rhinoceros tour of the south-west region, sponsored by SW Arts - a series of poetry readings and workshops with Chris Southgate


• 2001: Wrote and staged the revue Strange Attractors with Karen Huckvale at the Exeter Phoenix


• 2004: Wrote and staged the revue Strange Attractors II with Karen Huckvale as part of the Exeter Autumn Festival


• 2005: Publication of poetic meditations Invocations


• 2009: Wrote and performed Seventh Sense cabaret-revue with original founder member, Gordon Clarke
• 2009: Librettist for Bethlehem! a Christmas nativity musical for schools and community groups. Music by Nigel Walsh