Behind The Apron Paul Hardman

'BEHIND THE APRON'

This section will feature special interest articles about members' unknown fascinating backgrounds - perhaps a hobby or interest that people may be unaware of. If you know of a Southport Mason who we might feature, let the webmaster know. Thanks.

W. Bro. Michael Swift Pr.S.G.D.

The 2011/12 Masonic season is proving a busy time for Mike being one of four brethren drawn from the Southport Group to assist the PGM by joining the West Lancashire Provincial Team in acting office.

Mike was initiated into Nile Lodge No 6476 serving as master in the 1991/2 season, later becoming a member of Shalom Lodge No 7541 serving as ADC and currently DC.

Being busy is nothing new as he's the News Editor at Independent Local Radio Station 107.9 Dune FM. He also writes and presents his specialist contemporary country music weekly radio show 'On The Road Again'. Mike's passion for contemporary country music is built on the foundations of many a trip to the USA both working and on holiday.

Before joining Dune FM in February 2011 you may have heard Mike reviewing the morning's newspapers on BBC Radio Merseyside and contributing to many BBC programmes both on radio and TV. Mike's developed with BBC Radio Merseyside his music development project 'Country Roots 6LV' which traces the unique links between Liverpool, European migration to the USA, country music and local radio. Mike recently scripted his first TV commercial for the USA, which is currently running on Fox TV.

Before broadcasting full time Mike worked as a specialist business consultant and expert witness, focusing on public/private sector partnerships and International transport. His first assignment involved working in Texas, USA coping with the resident scorpions, fire ants and snakes!

For eight years Mike was the first full time CEO of Sefton's Chamber of Commerce and Industry based in Southport after combining disparate business groups across the district. That drew Mike into working on behalf of business with Local and National Government and the EU to invest in regeneration. During his time at the Chamber Mike was invited to be the Founding Chairman of Sefton's Community Foundation and to create Sefton's Education Business Partnership. Mike's work in education continues having just retired after ten years as Chairman; he remains a non executive director.

Born in Freshfield and moving to Southport as a teenager Mike was proud to be invited to join the board of Southport Pier Trust setting its strategy to preserve and then secure the necessary funds to restore Britain's first leisure pier as a heritage asset for public use. Mike was chairman at the 150th anniversary celebrations; the final capital investment with partners being £8.2million.

Before joining the Chamber of Commerce, Mike worked in the family owned, Southport based, international removal, storage, shipping and air freight business, Drury Smart. He's said to have visited more bedrooms than Casanova!

Mike's son Paul lives and works in London and as a proud dad Mike is delighted to get the opportunity to travel down and watch cricket at Lords where Paul is a playing member of the MCC. Also in Mike's spare time he's a volunteer at Queenscourt Hospice.