Michael J. Cook

Mike Cook was born in Stockport in 1942 and was educated at Stockport School, then at the universities of Durham, Bristol and Exeter. He turned to teaching when his hopes of a professional career in sport were dashed after a serious knee injury. In 1970 he was one of the first Teacher/ Youth leaders to be appointed in Cheshire. Later , he was a full time Youth Leader in Bristol. He was also one the earliest pioneers in introducing Personal and Social Education to the school curriculum. He taught in grammar and comprehensive schools in Durham, Essex, Cheshire, Somerset and Devon before taking early retirement to run a village shop in Leicestershire and devote more time to writing. For the past 15 years he has lived in North Lancashire close to the Lake District. He is a published author, poet, photographer and songwriter, married with two daughters and three granddaughters.