Where is Telford 

We live in Dawley village in the new town of Telford, 36 miles west and far enough away from the big city of Birmingham and 213 miles NW of London.

Why Telford? 

We used to live in Walsall, 12 miles north of Birmingham, but with Esme on the way we decided that we'd prefer to bring her up where the people were a little more friendly, and more concerned. A small town we figured. Amanda has a sister living in Wellington, the other side of Telford so we moved here April/May 1998.

Of course, we could have moved anywhere, but I wanted to stay in touch with friends and business in Birmingham.

As it is now, we're looking to move again, but I want to ensure that there's broadband, preferably cable, wherever we go, so we're looking at Newport 10 miles north of here.

Where are your roots? 

I'm from Godreaman, Aberdare, Mid Glamorgan, South Wales, brought up there until I was 19, then left to do my degree in Walsall. My great, great grandfather lived about a mile away from our house (46 Pleasant View, Godreaman), and where my parents still live.

I take the family back there as often as I can and would live to be able to live there. My only problem is the broadband. Out in the sticks there ain't any cable and BT is taking it's sweet time to DSL the area.

[Update:] BT have DSL'd Aberdare and we've thought hard about moving back and decided though it's a beautiful town, with wonderful friendly people, there just isn't the opportunities there, as there are here.

Used to live in Selbourne (Selborne) Street, Chuckery, Walsall, while I ran a business in The Custard Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham. And I've a degree in Visual Communications from West Midlands College of Higher Education.

My Full name is Stephen Michael Hooker, nicknames used to be Acw when in Aberdare and Zok while I was in college in Walsall. Now people just call me Steve.

What sort of hobbies, music, interests? 

I'm into fly fishing for trout. I'd worm fish some days too, but this isn't allowed any more. I've always fished for trout, never coarse fishing, that seems stupid to me. Why put yourself and a fish through all that to throw them back in? I like to eat what I catch. Brings me closer to god, I say. Meaning: feeling the death rattle of something, and knowing you're doing it for a good purpose. Not that I'm religious. I'm a serious atheist.

I'm into drum and bass, hip-hop, but generally don't listen to much, except in the car or when I rememebr when I'm woorking. I like the Clash, and Led Zepplin.

I used to, still am, a Greenpeace activist, I went to Greenham Common (1985) with the rest of the 'No nukes in UK' brigade. I went on 'Stop the City' (1983) demos with the punks, anarchists and womens' movements, even a ClassWar 'Bash The Rich' (1985) march through the Rolls Royce houses of Kensington.

These days, I have leftist tendencies. Politics, I believe should not be about business, though the real world dictates I has to be. It should be about the big picture: your next door neighbour, be they in Africa or across the road.

I was certainly for the war against WMD in Iraq. And I'm certain that this war on terrorism will be a generational war, probably lasting 100 years. Not a chance you'd get me living in a big city. Not with my kids anyway.

40 eh? 

Yip, shocked I am! Had a quiet birthday with just the kids and Amanda.