How did you become involved with the community council and residents association?
In 1972, when I was in the sixth year at St Ninian's High School, I was on the school council where teachers and pupils would discuss a number of issues, such as the school dance. I suppose that's where an interest in such matters was first sparked.
With the residents association, I attended meetings and then became member of the committee and subsequently was elected as chairman.
In addition to being chairman of Bishopbriggs Community Council and Cledden's Park Residents Association, I am chairman of the Maryhill Citizens Advice Bureau and also vice chairperson of Scotland's Citizens Advice Bureau.

What would you like to see happening in Bishopbriggs?
The most important thing happening in Bishopbriggs at the moment is the redevelopment of the town centre.
I don't want to see the opportunity wasted and it's important we get it right.
I would also like to see more facilities for young people in our local area. The fact is youth disorder can be related to boredom.
Young people may see me as an old fogey sitting as the residents association committee chairman, but I don't think I have old fogey views.

What do you like about your work within the community?
I enjoy contributing to the voluntary sector because it allows you to draw on your life experience and give something back to the community in a structured and responsible manner.
If you go back in history to a simpler time, councillors were more in touch with what the community wanted, but now they are restricted by time.
Community groups are able to take the needs and views of the local people to councillors to help them.

You must be very busy, but what do you do in your spare time?
The voluntary sector is what I do in my spare time.
The community council meetings take place on the third Tuesday of every month and we also have a meeting of the policy and resources committee.
In between that, we send a lot of e-mails to various people and organisations.
Some people play golf or football, but I prefer to do something a little more constructive.
However, I do enjoy Grand Prix and I will watch that if it's on the television. I particularly like watching the Ferrari team.

Would you like to see younger people get involved with community groups?
Yes. It's important to get young people involved in either the community council or the residents association.
One thing you will often hear young people say is that nobody listens to them. In the past, we have asked the local schools to send a sixth former to sit in on meetings, but we understand young people are busy with exams and socialising.
However, we do manage to get younger people involved in the community at the annual gala and Christmas events. But we need to get young people switched on to local groups and gain their input.
I would like to encourage young people to join the committee as that would help us drive forward.
And after all, young people and learning are the foundations of the community.

Would you say you are a 'people person'?
Yes. I am attuned to people and can normally understand their points of view.
It is the role of the community council chairman to make sure anyone contributing to a discussion gets the point they are trying to make across.
I think it's important for a meeting to be as democratic and I make time to ask those who come along their opinions.

Getting to know you
First car: Fiat 127
First record: She Loves You, The Beatles.
Book currently reading: Playing for Pizza by John Grisham
Favourite holiday destination: France, Italy and Switzerland. I like driving holidays.
Famous person most like to meet: Various famous people for different reasons.