Originally from Sheffield, Richard came to Worcester in '91 to study music and English at the university. After graduating he got into the Worcester pub-rock scene with a band called The Bat Whispers (later reincarnated as Powderfinger) playing regularly at the Dragon on the Tything. He's been teaching guitar in Worcester ever since.

"I first picked up a guitar when I was 11, 1965 - you work it out - and I've been learning the instrument ever since - you never stop, really.

When I started out it was all a bit hit-and-miss: listening to records, watching other players. I guess I made pretty good progress but eventually I hit a brick wall.

It wasn't until I had a few lessons and learned a bit about music notation and theory that I was finally able to access music that had previously been beyond my reach."

Richard is currently guitarist with ceilidh band Cut the Mustard and as well as the guitar he also teaches English as a Second Language (ESL).