Post by Paul Strong

Just a quickie - I’m packing in the architecture lark, after nigh on 45 years of stress, grief, poverty & sleepless nights. And, of course, delight, excitement, fulfillment, the odd award & a whole lot of laughs along the way. Some of the people who’ve been mad enough to employ me deserve a special thank you: Neil Barker, John Burns & the sadly missed Roger Tillot, at (variously) R N Mackellar, Mackellar Schwerdt & Mackellar Architecture (and everyone who worked at any of those over the years) - formative, supportive & (can’t believe I’m saying this) nurturing - my spiritual home; Everyone at Helen McArdle Care & Kids First - Helen is a great loss; Paul Hammerton & the Walter Thompson team - the very definition of partnership (“we’ll build it, then you draw it”). Also, one of the best & nicest Site Managers I’ve ever had the pleasure to do the bidding of - Uncle Barry Blackett. I’ll never forget the Rothbury caramel shortbreads; Graeme Wakefield & all at Crawford Higgins Associates - thanks for giving a tired grumpy architect a chance! Jeff Charlton, once of Bowey - another great Site Manager, who passed on invaluable experience, without judgement; Chris Brummitt - one of the nicest, most decent, human beings (and architect) you could ever wish to meet; Gerry Henaughen & David Wyllie of Lane Bremner & Garnett - the originators of all that was good about a working in an office - “we don’t start until the Glasgow Herald Crossword is complete”; There are innumerable colleagues, clients & contractors who’ve made a significant contribution to my professional life over the years - you know who you are, thank you all. Right, that’s done. Off to tackle the garden/wilderness now…