MY STORY

First time I went to Ireland and walked into the 'Gents' in my first Irish pub, a guy slides up next to me and says "Hey pal - what's your story?" - I have often thought about how to reply to that question and so, given the last few years to consider, -here is my response to that man...

I grew up semi wild in the overgrown woodland of Suffolk, England with very liberal parents. My younger life was spent working out how things worked. I regularly dismanted washing machines, generators, cars and generally anything I was 'allowed' to touch. We lived a basic life with no mains power or running water, no televisionsand very few of the mod-cons that are considered part of modern life. When it was dark you slept, when light you made the most of each day.   

My appetite for working out how things worked soon progressed to construction, building and inventing. I was obsessed with treehouses, underground dens and go-carts! Also coming from a musical background from around aged 12 - 13 my friend and I ran folk nights in local pubs, played in bands and generally enjoyed more than is known to most at such a young age. 

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School came and went like a flash and immediately after that I created a monthly subscription Garden Magazine until I chased a girl up to Bangor, North Wales! I lived there for 2 years until 19, choosing not to follow the usual route of University and higher education despite very capable grades. Instead I worked for a plant nursery that imported specimen plants from Pistoia, Italy. Regularly travelling to Italy purchasing huge and grossly expensive specimens for import to the UK. Although this job was full of satisfaction it lacked the personality I craved, the freedom to choose what occurred and how. Mostly it was a lesson in how I needed to find my own path, not jump on the back of another's...

In 2009 I moved back to Suffolk and started garden design and construction - honing the skills of construction working mostly in Aldeburgh, Suffolk. This was a golden 3 years for me, whilst creating many garden sculptures and living structures and building up a business and a reputation! 
 

In 2012 I met my partner and now wife - Daisy, having spent my entire younger life and socialising based around music, Daisy introduced me to the UK festival scene and MAUI WAUI was born - An all encompassing explosionof festival creativity, Maui Waui was and still is, our combined creative outlet which perfectly combines music, decor, atmosphere and creative construction. I have built amazing stage sets, immersive decor and touring theatre props over the last 12 years all thanks to Maui Waui. It has given me an incredible opportunity to develop the skills required to offer unique ideas and concepts, and turn these into reality. Notable builds being the Pirate Ship DJ stage (2 versions), the stainless steel Spaceship DJ stage and Lattitudes' famous Trailer Park music stage: