Thursday March 29th.2007
Well, some of you may have wondered why I suddenly stopped contributing to the CB website back in 2005.
When I first got the job at Bath College at the end of 1999, I was taken on by a guy called Joe Bennett, a very nice man and an excellent guitarist (he’s written books on learning different styles of guitar playing), who was head of the Music section at the college at the time. He was absolutely delighted to have me on board, mainly because of my background and experience in the music business, and within no time, he had me teaching music technology (sequencing on computers), composition skills, production techniques, recording skills – just about everything associated with what I know how to do, and what I enjoy doing. It was a part-time job – I had left full-time teaching in order to devote more time to my own music – and, enjoyable as this job was, I didn’t want it to become full-time for the same reason.
As some of you will recall, it was around this time that my marriage started to disintegrate, but I was still living in the family home, and my diminished income didn’t affect things too much. For a variety of reasons, it was easier at that time for me to use my College e-mail address as my main one, and this is what I did throughout the time that I worked there.
I think it was in 2001 that Joe Bennett got a job as Head of Music at Bath Spa College (which now has full University status). Shortly after he got it, he suggested to me that I should apply for a job there, as he was effectively setting up a completely new department, and he wanted me there to do what I had been doing at the college. Now this is one of those things that happen in life and you can look back and say, without any shadow of a doubt, that you took the wrong decision (as I’ve said elsewhere – maybe like the events preceding the split in City Boy). I am not a subscriber to the sentiment of “I regret nothing.” I don’t mind admitting that there are many things I can look back on in my life and say to myself that I wish I hadn’t done this thing, or I wish I had done that thing, or whatever – especially since I became a Christian.
Anyway, here I was, being offered work in what we call over here Higher Education (as opposed to Further Education – the work I was doing at Bath College), but I guess I felt so happy with what I was doing at the College that I turned the offer down.
With Joe gone, there followed major changes in the Music section. Not only did many staff move on and new ones arrive, but the Creative Arts area was completely re-structured, and the whole ethos changed. As all this was happening, my marriage came to an end, and in September 2001 I moved out of the family home without (as I have stated elsewhere) staking any claim on the very nice house we owned in Bath. I immediately asked for more hours at the college, but I was gradually being edged out of the lecturing that I had been doing by the new full-timers, and my request was repeatedly turned down over the next couple of years. Finally, by the end of the academic year 2005, I decided to resign to seek more regular employment. Rents in Bath are astronomical, and I was determined to support Juniper Uzele, my working partner, and her son Uvonj, so that we could continue working together, and that’s what I still do!
Staying in Bath is part of our vision, so we have not considered moving elsewhere. I’ve been mainly doing secondary supply teaching since then (11-16), with the occasional short-term contract. It’s tough, but I have always worked with young people – they are so disaffected nowadays – but through the grace of God I reach and can then teach many of them. We still live hand-to-mouth, literally, but God sustains us, through all sorts of people who support us when they can…as many of you have. Thank you all. I won’t forget, and don’t worry, you will get all that you gave back – and more – one day. You wait and see!!!
Hence my
[email protected] e-mail address became redundant.
We are anticipating God doing a huge miracle (I’m talking BIG MONEY here) which will enable us to really step out and get our ministry works going properly. Visit Juniper’s website, or look back in the archives of the City Boy website if you’re interested. She has arms all around the world: people she supports, counsels, guides, comforts and encourages. She writes extraordinary poetry, and deeply moving music. Aside from all this, she is a fashion connoisseur, a beauty expert, and a quite superb cook. It’s very frustrating for her that she is not allowed to take gainful employment in this country. Some of you might say that I have been talking about this “miracle” for more than five years now, and you’d be right… You wait and see!!!…..Anyway, I’ve said enough for one day – it’s taken me a couple of days to find time to write this and I’d better send it before it becomes unreadably long (no, I don’t mean illegibly long – rebuking the spellcheck!)
Finally, if this Forum is going to be what that implies, please don’t hesitate, any of you, to say what you think. I can take it, believe me, so…bring it on!!!!
Love you all,
Max
Just seen the questions recently posted - give me a couple of days!
