John Patmore

   Currently living near Preston Park in Brighton (England)   I have spent most of my life in southern England. Travelled from overseas when very small and lived near Cambridge as a child. It was brilliant visiting the Zoology museum and Anthropology & Archaeology museums run by Cambridge University, back in the day they were free. Also the Botanical Gardens provided an insight into global plant variation. Ferns and the lower plants in the heated greenhouses fascinated me; although I did develop a special fondness for the fen ragwort Senecio paludosus outside in the small wet fen area.

Despite virtually no enthusiasm shown by my secondary school teachers I developed an interest in biology and physics. During terms I spent most time in the library with mates David Hardick and Hugh Pratten. No idea where they are now! There were some great text books: 'Patterns in Nature' and 'An Introduction to Quantum Physics' fascinated me.

My attempts at socializing outside during the lunchbreak were not pleasant. I tried to join in the football game and David Cleaver knocked me over and kicked my mouth. Blood everywhere! That was enough 'Team Sport' for one lifetime.

 
Time spent studying Ecology at Norwich University and Wye College in Kent gave me space to learn about jazz bass. The furthest North I travelled was Edinburgh where I played a gig in a funky jazz band. Great fun; Olson, me and the Beats Working crew all survived a manic Transit Van journey there and back over two days.

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