John graduated in Astronomy from St. Andrews and taught sixth form maths, physics and astronomy (mainly at Stockton) for thirty five years, though with a break of five years directing the Wynyard Planetarium and Observatory for schools and the community. Since 2002 he has also lectured for the OU. For many years now, he has worked with Teesside University to visit primary schools with their portable planetarium dome. John is currently a Redcar and Cleveland Borough councillor for Skelton West. He grew up in industrial Thornaby many years ago and has two sons, both teachers.