When Sean was eighteen he worked in the wilds of Argyll, surrounded by mountains, lochs and forest: local wildlife included golden eagles, wildcats and pine martins. He worked as a volunteer for CSV in a residential school for children from Glasgow.
The Kids came out for a three week break from the city and Sean's duties ranged from teaching Scottish country dancing to supervising rambles. It was a fantastic learning experience for Sean, not least because of the two woman who ran the place. Edna Whyte and Audrey Ston were the Head and Deputy, and have become the biggest influence in Sean's life. They told him in 1971, "You can do anything, try your hand at anything and you can always make people smile".
Great advice and he took it to heart.
Sean says, "Audrey and Edna are now 75 and 86 respectively, but they are still looking ahead to new adventures. Edna for example is still planning art exhibitions with galleries for two and three years time."
The Manchester Evening News once called Sean an 'arch dabbler', he is not sure whether this was a criticism or praise! however, his dabbles have included the following:
For thirty years he has written and illustrated wildlfe and travel features for newspapers and magazines, including The Sunday Times, BBC Wildlife Magazine and many more. His 'Wood on the Wildside' columns are syndicated across several titles of the Guardian Media Group.
Sean's paintings have featured in seven one-man exhibitions in Manchester, Ashton under Lyne and Yorkshire over the past six years. He designed tghe poster for the Cuckoo Fleadh in 2004.A permanent display can be seen at the Bleak House Studio by appointment and he will also undertake commissions. Check out www.seanthewood.com
In education Sean is a leading figure in the reintegration of excluded pupils back into mainstream schools.
In 2001 he became the first Advanced Skills Teacher from 'out of the classroom' and he was headhunted by Derbyshire in 2004 and is now the Behaviour and Inclusion Adviser at Glossopdale Community College. Check out www.passporttomainstream.com and www.vangoghted.com for further info.
Sean's real pride and joy are his three children; Ozza (Oisin) and Cully (Culain) his twin sons have just left school after their A-levels, Ozza is taking a year out, while Cully starts a three year Creative Writing degree at Manchester Met. Niamh is the youngest and most attractive of the trio and she is just six years old and a little beauty.
