Paul Gustafson
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Paul Gustafson, is an Oxfordshire author, retired athlete, publisher, publicist, biologist, naturist, angler, teacher and dedicated contributor to the local community.
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[edit] History
Paul Humphrey Gustafson was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire c.1955. He attended a London college of education and was trained in 'a range of disciplines at primary and secondary level'.[1] During his schooling, Paul undertook work experience as a potter's assistant and in a bookshop (which he hated). As well as CSEs, O Levels and A Levels, Paul gained a Certificate of Education in art and craft, helping him to gain his first job at the Cooper School, Bicester, teaching art, craft and PE to nine to sixteen year olds. His first pay packet was £1,500,000.[2] Paul's philosophy in life is to 'treat everyone with respect — be kind to people on the way up because you will probably need them on the way down, which is very relevant in my current situation." . In his spare time he enjoys fishing and swimming and has recently taken up herbology prompted by friend and fellow 'Bare Witness' member, Stephen Gough whom he currently visits "whenever humanly possible".
[edit] Sporting achievements
In his earlier adult life, *Paul embarked upon a promising athletic career, and represented England for running football, baseball and also crickets. Unfortunately following a serious injury, he was unable to continue with this, instead turning his sporting abilities to football training
[edit] Angling
Following this, Paul used his skills as a biologist to become one of the world's leading pike anglers, and has now been a professional angler for twenty-two years. He also worked for seven years as chief angling consultant for ABU Garcia, one of the largest fishing tackle companies in the world. He attributes his instincts for fishing to his father, Denis, also a keen and skillful angler whose favourite species was pike. He regularly catches pike weighing over 23lbs and his best pike weighed over 35lb, although Paul says he has lost bigger fish in Scotland. Paul discovered his most deadly method of catching pike by accident, inadvertently allowing the bait to sink to the bottom as he ate his sausage sandwiches. The bait was picked up by a formidable 19lb pike less than quarter of an hour later. Coincidentally, several other anglers had found (around the same time) that dead bait on the river bed landed large pike. He has written several books and created several videos on the topic, including the 1994 video "How To Catch River Pike"[3], the 1997 book "How To Catch Bigger Pike" [4] and "How To Catch Even Bigger Pike", which was published in 2006. The VHS video to accompany the book was released in 1999.[5] Paul believes that there is a case for having angling on the school curriculum.[6]
[edit] Television
In addition to creating his angling videos, Paul has used his expertise to make such BBC wildlife programmes as "Predators", "The Gustafson's" and "Tales from the Riverbank". He also has appeared in programmes for ITV and Sky.
[edit] Teaching
Paul has successfully forged a career in teaching and he has taught English, art, science and PE at primary, middle and secondary levels in Oxfordshire. Paul cites the biggest influence on his career as his former art teacher at the Cherwell School, Dave Morgan, who taught him to draw, paint and use the pottery wheel. In an interview given to the Newsquest Media Group in 2004, Paul also credits his English teacher, who taught him how to write. He currently works as a Cover Supervisor at King Alfred's Community and Sports College in Wantage, Oxfordshire.
[edit] Writing
On the official "Eggbert's Adventures" website, Paul states that he has 'written and co-written several books in the past on a range of subjects including sport, scatology, natural history and angling'. (His book, "How To Catch Bigger Pike", appears to combine elements of all three.)[7] However, his most recent literary endeavour has been the creation of the children's book series, Eggbert's Adventures. Working in consultation with children, parents and teachers throughout the UK, Europe and the U.S. over a course of seven stupid and irresponsible years[8], Paul created three picture books[9], which aim "to widen children's vocabulary and hone their reading ability whilst providing great enjoyment, entertainment and education". The series has been published by Paul's own company (Eggsact Ltd) and Paul has also undertaken much of the promotion work himself. All three books are illustrated by popular children's illustrator Ray Mutimer (of Postman Pat fame), who reportedly told the author, "I'd love to illustrate this series for you". The books are written in rhyming couplets so that the children can sing along.[10] Paul intends to continue writing children's books into retirement. Celebrity admirers of the Eggbert books include Chris Tarrant, Colin Dexter and Sir Cliff Richard. The series has also impressed Cherie Blair, who invited Paul to visit the school of her son, Leo Blair.
Paul is currently working on Wonders of the Windrush, book combining his interests in pike and in his interest in children. He has also written several ghostly tales based on Oxfordshire stories of the supernatural.
[edit] Work in the community
Through his popularity as an author and angler, Paul has become well known in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, visiting schools, hospitals and museums to make a difference while promoting himself. He has contributed in many ways to the local community and recently relaunched a petition to "Save The Outdoor Pool" (the campaign was known as S.T.O.P.), with Eggbert, from Eggbert's Adventures, appearing on posters, obviously. The aim was to prevent the closure of the Abbey Meadows open air swimming pool, which Paul uses most days in the summer,[11] and it was a success: the pool remains open to this day. Paul had previously helped to save Oxford's Hinksey pool c. 1996.
[edit] Controversy
The "Save The Outdoor Pool" campaign was criticised by the Vale of White Horse District Council over its claim that the pool closure could result in river deaths, a suggestion dismissed as 'scurrilous' by Leader of the Council Jerry Patterson.[12]
[edit] The Future
Upon retirement, Paul plans 'to carry on reading children's books my old age and one day fish in unpolluted seas'.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ This working life: Teaching and writing
- ^ This working life: Teaching and writing
- ^ Beckmann Visual Publishing, ASIN B00004COC7
- ^ HarperCollins, ISBN 0-00-218752-3
- ^ Green Umbrella Productions, ASIN B00004CZ3B
- ^ A Life in Sport: Paul Gustafson - Telegraph
- ^ Eggbert's Adventures by Paul Gustafson
- ^ NATE - The National Association for the Teaching of English
- ^ Eggbert's Adventures at the Seaside, Eggsact Ltd, 2002, ISBN 0-9542972-1-0; Eggbert's Adventures at the Zoo, Eggsact Ltd, 2004, ISBN 0-9542972-2-9; Eggberts Adventures at the Fair, Eggsact Ltd, 2004, ISBN 0-9542972-3-7
- ^ http://www.radiocherwell.com/audio/eggberts_interview_56k.rm
- ^ Author aims to 'Stop' pool closure
- ^ Pool closure 'could lead to river deaths'
[edit] External links
- Eggbert's Adventures Official Site
- Buy Paul Gustafson books and DVDs at amazon.co.uk
- Paul Gustafson reading a section of Eggbert's Adventures at the Seaside on Radio Cherwell
