Personal life and interests
Walking and Hiking
When I'm not at my computer doing my research, there's nothing I like more than getting out and about on foot. Preferably somewhere away from civilisation! I have always had a strong interest in walking, spurred on by numerous walks and holidays with the family in my childhood. My coastal holidays and walks in Norfolk, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in particular helped to develop my fascination and interest in the oceans.
During my undergraduate degree, I spent 3 years on the committee of Southampton University Hillwalking Club (SUHC). From 2014 - 16, I was Day Walk Secretary. This involved creating and leading a day-long walk each Saturday. I became President of the Club in 2016. As President, I sought to improve the Club's previously cumbersome and outdated communication with it's members. I improved the Club's social media presence, creating the current Facebook page which is still in use today with over 1500 followers. I also successfully applied for Student Union funding for 4 high-end PMR-446 licence-free two-way radios to improve communication between Committee members and walk leaders when managing larger groups. This was a particulary important purchace, since many of our walk locations have little to no mobile signal.
I continue to be a very active member in SUHC. On 15th April 2021, at the Club's Annual General Meeting, I stood for and was elected to the position of Away Trip Secretary after no nominations were recieved for the roles. Pre-COVID, Away Trips were always in high demand and often oversubscribed. I aimed to rebuild the Club's reputation for high-quality weekends away to some of the more remote areas of the UK. I helped the other members of the Committee run their events too.
SUHC Website SUHC Facebook page SUHC Committee profile (archived)Photography
I am a completely self-taught amateur photographer, specialising in landscape and wildlife shots. I do this purely for my pleasure although I may consider selling photos in the future (maybe when I'm a better photographer :P). As you might imagine, many of my photos come from when I'm out and about on walks.
See some of my snapsToastrack Bus CC8671 restoration
In 2021, after the Covid lockdowns, I joined the project to restore an old 1929 Dennis G-type charabanc bus. This particular bus (CC8671) was originally built for Llandudno Urban District Council (UDC) and spent many years as a public bus, before being sold to the University of Southampton Engineering Faculty in 1958. Over the years, a small team of students, some staff and alumni have been operating it. It was last run in 2018, then put into storage. In 2020, it was moved from a garage in Southampton back to Highfield Campus. After the covid lockdowns in 2021, the restoration project began. It was a big job for just four regular volunteers: Will Webb (electrical engineering PhD student), Oana Lazar (electrical engineering alumni), Jack Langdon (MSci Marine Biology) and myself. The engine was completely removed and sent for professional cylinder re-boring and re-lining. The gearbox and clutch were serviced. Other parts of the bus were stripped, cleaned and in some cases repainted. Some of the wood-lined canapy needed completely replacing due to wood rot and woodworm. After nearly 2 years of work, in August 2023, Toastrack finally made it back on the road.
Toastrack Bus CC8671 out in the New Forest, and at Highfield Campus, University of Southampton. Photos my own.
The Toastrack restoration volunteers L-R: Oana Lazar, Will Webb, Jack Langdon, Matt Clark. Photo: @psychoticpanda95 Instagram