I have been involved with residents' associations since 1970 when I bought my first flat and found that the landlord proposed selling the roof space with planning permission. The residents' association (RA) failed to persuade the local council that the application should be refused, but development was delayed by a number of years - time enough for me to vote with my feet and move out.

In each of the two blocks I have lived in since, I have ended up running the RA and, while in my present flat, was a prime mover in buying the freehold in 1993. Since then I have been responsible for the day- to- day management of the block.

As chairman of the RA I regularly attended FPRA meetings and in February 1990 was invited to join the Executive Committee, becoming Secretary later that year. In September 1992 I was appointed Vice- Chairman, becoming Chairman in 1997.

Running a RA or managing a block of flats is fraught with difficulties. However, 35 years with the Inland Revenue means that I have had considerable experience of spotting and dealing with delaying tactics, obfuscation and downright lies. Running offices with over 40 staff and overseeing a budget of £25 million has also provided excellent training in management and financial control - though I have often regretted that landlords, agents and even fellow lessees are so much more difficult to discipline than employees!

Apart from the time I give to FPRA and running my block, I also spend a day a week at the Royal National Mission for Deep Sea Fishermen, looking after their gift aid. All these activities are frequently interrupted by holidays as I enjoy travel and am never happier than when scrambling over ruins or visiting art galleries.