The Transient Curmudgeon
A collection of some of the poetry that I have written over the years, from loss to love and many other things in between.
Putting this collection of poems together has allowed me to reflect on my feelings about the good, happy, sad and dark times in my life.
Transient: – Lasting only for a short time; impermanent.
Curmudgeon – A bad-tempered person, especially an old one.
Available via Maddison Press in October 2026
The Transient Mancunian
I was born in St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester in 1958, spending my early years in a mother and baby home in Davyhulme. Later I lived in Chorlton cum Hardy but in total I have only spent about six of my 66 years living in the city.
However I did spend all of my secondary school years in Manchester and also the majority of my youth and teenage years were spent enjoying the nightlife and gigs that were on offer.
Having lived most of my life in Stockport I have mainly been in denial about the fact that I am indeed a Mancunian.
This collection of poetry is a reflection of my personal memories and opinions of the city of my birth along with my take on some of the events that have happened here and the quirky traits of the people that make the city so special.
Transient: – Lasting only for a short time; impermanent.
Mancunian – A person born in Manchester.
Available via Maddison Press in October 2026
The Transient Academic
In 1970, I passed my 11 Plus examination during my final year of primary school - an achievement made more remarkable by the fact that I had attended three different schools in four years. During that time, I had also spent several months out of education while living in Eire (the Republic of Ireland) after my mother attempted to leave my stepfather. She took her three children to stay with relatives, only for him to arrive and take my mother and his two children back to England, leaving me behind.
When I eventually returned to England, I lived with my aunt in Chorlton-cum-Hardy and attended St John's Primary School before completing my primary education at St Mary's-on-the-Hill in Stockport. My examination results led to a place at St Bede's College in Manchester, one of the region's most respected schools. Despite its reputation, I have few happy memories of my time there. The one bright exception was ‘Wild’ Bill Hockenhull, a teacher whose enthusiasm and passion left a lasting impression on me. Granted, apart from my stepfather, he was the most volatile adult that I had ever encountered, but I was in awe of him. He inspired my love of history, art, and writing - interests that would remain with me throughout my life. My education suffered a major setback when a serious leg injury caused me to miss almost an entire school year.
Unable to travel from Stockport to Whalley Range, I relied on work being sent home. Apart from Bill, few teachers made any effort to help. On returning to school, I asked if I was allowed to repeat the year so I could catch up, but the request was refused, and was told that I was capable of recovering the lost ground.
I never fully did so and as my final year approached, I was informed that I had wasted my secondary education and would leave school with little to show for it.
Time proved otherwise. Many years later, I turned my lifelong love of history and writing into a second career. This collection of poetry reflects that journey, along with my enduring fascination with literature, art, history, and the power of words. The education system may not always have served me well, but life itself became my greatest teacher.
Transient: – Lasting only for a short time; impermanent.
Academic: – Relating to education and scholarship or connected with studying and thinking and not with useful skills.
Available via Maddison Press in October 2026