By the 1990s Mike was becoming fairly well known as an
authority on the history of obscure religious movements
and cults, and had penned a number of newspaper and
magazine articles on the subject.
In 1990 he was asked to take part in a debate on the
religious magazine show NEXUS with a number of other
guests, including Russell Miller, the author of Bare-Faced
Messiah.
authority on the history of obscure religious movements
and cults, and had penned a number of newspaper and
magazine articles on the subject.
In 1990 he was asked to take part in a debate on the
religious magazine show NEXUS with a number of other
guests, including Russell Miller, the author of Bare-
In 1989 Mike joined Northumbria Police as a Liaison Officer in the Crime Prevention Department,
and the following year appeared in the BBC Close Up North documentary Living in Fear.
The programme highlighted the effects of burglary and other crimes on innocent victims, and
allowed Mike to offer constructive advice as to how property could be made more secure.
and the following year appeared in the BBC Close Up North documentary Living in Fear.
The programme highlighted the effects of burglary and other crimes on innocent victims, and
allowed Mike to offer constructive advice as to how property could be made more secure.
In 1990 Mike joined the Northumbria Police
Special Constabulary and was asked to edit “E”
Division’s in-house newsletter, The Echo.
The monthly magazine was named after the divisional
area it covered, which was “E” or “Echo “ Division.
Special Constabulary and was asked to edit “E”
Division’s in-
area it covered, which was “E” or “Echo “ Division.
In 1991 Mike renewed his relationship with The Shields Gazette and began writing the highly
popular Neighbourhood Watch column which focused on Crime Prevention. The column ran
for nearly two years and only came to an end when Mike left the police service to pursue other
career goals.
popular Neighbourhood Watch column which focused on Crime Prevention. The column ran
for nearly two years and only came to an end when Mike left the police service to pursue other
career goals.
Mike starts to write
the Volunteer Round-Up
column for Intercom
magazine, focusing on
volunteering issues
and other stories with
an local volunteering
focus.
the Volunteer Round-
magazine, focusing on
volunteering issues
and other stories with
an local volunteering
focus.
By 1994 Mike was heavily involved with local volunteering issues and worked alongside
local film director Gary Wilkinson when he made the documentary CVS.
Gary and Mike would later come to work on a number of other projects together in the 00’s.
local film director Gary Wilkinson when he made the documentary CVS.
Gary and Mike would later come to work on a number of other projects together in the 00’s.
In 1995 South Tyneside’s own radio station,
7FM, was launched. Mike appeared on a number of
programmes including the Esther Stevenson Show.
7FM, was launched. Mike appeared on a number of
programmes including the Esther Stevenson Show.
In 1995 the world was gripped with “O J fever” as the
trial for murder of one of America’s most famous sports
stars took place.
Mike appeared on Sky News with Professor Bob Pugsley
from the USA to debate the outcome. Mike confidently
predicted that “The Juice” would be found guilty. In fact,
there was “absolutely noway” that a not-guilty verdict could
be reached by the jury, he pontificated. Oh well, some you
win, some you lose...
trial for murder of one of America’s most famous sports
stars took place.
Mike appeared on Sky News with Professor Bob Pugsley
from the USA to debate the outcome. Mike confidently
predicted that “The Juice” would be found guilty. In fact,
there was “absolutely noway” that a not-
win, some you lose...
In 1996, Northumbria Police held a seminar on the problem of domestic violence. Mike took part,
and the event was given wide media coverage on TV.
and the event was given wide media coverage on TV.
In 1998 Mike appeared on Sky TV’s Adam
Boulton show to debate controversial new
Adoption laws.
Boulton show to debate controversial new
Adoption laws.
In 1998 Mike joined the stable of writers penning
articles for QUEST magazine. Initially edited by
renowned UFO researcher Philip Mantle, the journal
then passed into the capable hands of Jonathan
Downes, director of the Centre for Fortean Zoology.
articles for QUEST magazine. Initially edited by
renowned UFO researcher Philip Mantle, the journal
then passed into the capable hands of Jonathan
Downes, director of the Centre for Fortean Zoology.
In 1999 Mike was commissioned by the South Tyneside Crime
Prevention Panel to write the script for a video documentary
Called Crime Prevention in South Tyneside.
In addition he scripted a spoof TV game show called Lock,
Stock & Barrel! which was part of the same package.
Lock, Stock & Barrel! featured a sleazy host who made Del
Boy look like the Archbishop of Canterbury...
Prevention Panel to write the script for a video documentary
Called Crime Prevention in South Tyneside.
In addition he scripted a spoof TV game show called Lock,
Stock & Barrel! which was part of the same package.
Lock, Stock & Barrel! featured a sleazy host who made Del
Boy look like the Archbishop of Canterbury...
As the 90’s drew to a close Mike began writing for the
magazine BEYOND, not to be confused with the
current newsstand journal with the same name.
Beyond was the sister journal to QUEST, an
came out of the same stable. Sadly, BEYOND
only ever saw one issue. Like QUEST, it went into
a state of torpor after the publisher hit difficulties.
magazine BEYOND, not to be confused with the
current newsstand journal with the same name.
Beyond was the sister journal to QUEST, an
came out of the same stable. Sadly, BEYOND
only ever saw one issue. Like QUEST, it went into
a state of torpor after the publisher hit difficulties.
