Although I argue that I'm Normal Neville it turns out my life hasn't been particularly normal.

 

Fairly Normal Start- Parents

It started out quite normal, my father was an accountant who always wore a suit with tie, smoked a pipe and had his tea at the same time. My mother idolised movie stars and with her hair always 'done', a cigarette in hand and immaculate red lipstick, she thought she was one. Her favourite job was on the perfume counter of RHO Hills, Bank Hey Street, under Blackpool Tower.

 

Lucky Start- School

I was very lucky and (with my brother and sister), went to independent schools in Blackpool. I could get onto the school playing field through a slat in the fence at the bottom of the garden. I didn't particularly excel academically and sometimes wish I had gone to University because I just love facts, knowledge and research. I'm fascinated with so many things.

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Anyway, perhaps if I had gone to University the path that my life took would have been very different, and I wouldn't change how it was for a minute.

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I was pretty sporty, I won the school Sports Trophy, the same one that both my sons had their name engraved on, many years later.

 

Getting Less Normal- After School

It was when I left school that I started to carve my own path. A path that led to adventure after adventure. I just found it more rewarding not to follow the rules, to jump at opportunities and to stick my neck out for things- including capturing and holding onto my soul mate, the most wonderful lady wife who is very sadly missed and supported me, or even joined me, on all my mad cap ventures!

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The Quirkier Things Start

As a youngster I was picked up by the police, as a scout leader I was helped by the police. I've played football with some international players, had multiple different encounters with wild animals, walked across England, climbed all the Munros, the highest mountains in Scotland, been Deputy Mayor of Blackpool, helped my father turn his Accountancy Business around and renovated derelict properties across The Lake District and Cumbria... without being able to change a plug!

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I've met lots of famous people including Princess Diana and celebrities from entertainment and snooker. I've written or been featured in numerous published articles, built a plane to jump of Blackpool pier and helped arrange for Concorde to fly over so we could speak to the Pilot from the roof of a Car Park.

 

I've been part of both the Blackpool Illuminations switch-on with Danny la Rue and the opening of Blackpool Zoo with Johnny Morris. I've seen the eclipse from the Lizard Festival, built a world record collection and come close to death on at least three occasions. And if ever you need someone to sell a raffle ticket...

 

Time to share

I've traced my ancestors and completed the family history... but there is no real explanation amongst that for this obsession that I have for the next thing on the list!

 

So now that I'm heading for 90 years old and I've had a couple of strokes, it seemed about time to capture on record some of the funny and nail biting stories form along the way.

 

Please feel free to have a rummage through Normal Neville's Tales- even if it's just to help you sleep!​​​

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Normal Neville Wiseman x​​