I was born in Bolton, Lancashire in 1957, being the only child of Peter and Carol Boardman. After attending the local primary school until the age of eight, the rest of my education took place increasingly far away from home.

My parents ran the newsagency kiosks on the bus station in Bolton (where I am pictured at the age of 26!!) I spent many hours helping out in the kiosks, as well as proof reading comics and testing the confectionery.

After my Mum sadly died as a result of having Multiple Sclerosis in 1973, interspersed with an ongoing education, Dad and I ran the business until 2000. During that time, I indulged my passion for racing sailboats, being fortunate to compete at national and international level in a variety of boats, most enjoyably the International 470 dinghy.

In 2000, I moved to West Yorkshire, marrying Judith and settling in Halifax. After a none too spectacular attempt to forge a career in teaching, I worked for a few years for a charity for the blind. I currently volunteer for the RSPCA.

I still race sailing dinghies, much less competitively now but still as enjoyably, sailing a Laser dinghy at Halifax Sailing Club, augmented by odd trips to events at other sailing clubs which take my fancy. I also own a GP14 dinghy berthed at Glasson Sailing Club in which Judith and I enjoy trips down the River Lune to Morecambe Bay.