So this is it, a leap into the unknown!
I have been at Winchester Science Centre for nearly ten years. Nearly one million visitors have passed through the planetarium under my management, school numbers have risen 20% in the two years since I took over the Education Team, there are newly redeveloped school workshop and show offers, with wonderful and competent managers installed over both teams. Time to move on and see what the big bad world offers. My last day in office will be 4 September.
I am aiming for an autumn/winter of innovative project ideas, a book proposal, rekindling contacts with wonderful people I've worked with over the years, more planetarium script consultancies, and - yes! - I am looking forward to some well-earned long lunches and afternoon naps along the way. The longer-term plan is to develop a diverse portfolio career that allows me to explore my interests while making the best use of my experience and skills.
During this time I'm very open to ideas and so if you have a killer project that wants only for a competent, reliable and multi-skilled project manager, with you sat there thinking 'if only I could clone myself' (as I know I often did), then get in touch.
This September I'll be coming to the BAP conference in Glasgow, to BIG's 21st Birthday party / Herstmonceux Astronomy Festival, and ASDC in Edinburgh. I'll hope to see you there.
Photo: early morning on the crater rim of Vulcano (from which all volcanoes take their name), in the Aolian Islands: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcano