At the end of 1984, Mike took up his wife’s suggestion to write a book. He began work on Herbal Healing - A Practical Introduction to Medicinal Herbs and submitted it for publication. The first publisher rejected it, but the second, The Ashgrove Press, accepted it immediately. It was published in 1985 and is still available today. Mike later went on a publicity tour of the UK to promote the book, taking part in radio and TV shows as well as engaging in numerous newspaper interviews. One memorable incident was when BBC presenter Simon Willis interviewed Mike for Look North. The pair traipsed around the herb garden at Jarrow Hall - Now Bede’s World - during ferocious winds, but eventually managed to complete the shoot. Simon later went on to present for BBC Scotland, and is an accomplished journalist. Mike describes Simon as,“one of the nicest people in broadcasting I’ve ever met”.
1984: Herbal Healing
1989: Violent Crime
In 1989 Mike helped the Northumbria Police Video Unit script the film Violent Crime - Let’s Draw the Line. The movie was part of the launch of a campaign to reduce violent crime throughout the region. The official launch took place at the historic St. Hilda’s church in South Shields.
St. Hilda’s Church, South Shields
1990: Nexus
By the 1990s Mike was becoming fairly well known as an authority on the history of obscure religious movements and cults, and had penned a number of newspaper and magazine articles on the subject. In 1990 he was asked to take part in a debate on the religious magazine show NEXUS with a number of other guests, including Russell Miller, the author of Bare-Faced Messiah.
1990: Living in Fear
In 1989 Mike joined Northumbria Police as a Liaison Officer in the Crime Prevention Department,and the following year appeared in the BBC Close Up North documentary Living in Fear. The programme highlighted the effects of burglary and other crimes on innocent victims, and allowed Mike to offer constructive advice as to how property could be made more secure.
1994: Volunteering
By 1994 Mike was heavily involved with local volunteering issues and worked alongside local film director Gary Wilkinson when he made the documentary CVS. Gary and Mike would later come to work on a number of other projects together in the 00’s.
1995: Esther Stevenson Show
In 1995 South Tyneside’s own radio station, 7FM, was launched. Mike appeared on a number of programmes including the Esther Stevenson Show..
1995: The O. J. Simpson Trial
In 1995 the world was gripped with “O J fever” as the trial for murder of one of America’s most famous sports stars took place. Mike was on Sky News with Professor Bob Pugsley from the USA to debate the outcome. Mike confidently predicted that “The Juice” would be found guilty. In fact, there was “absolutely no way” that a not-guilty verdict could be reached by the jury, he pontificated. Oh well, some you win, some you lose...
1996: Domestic Violence
In 1996, Northumbria Police held a seminar on the problem of domestic violence. Mike took part, and the event was given wide media coverage on TV.
1998: The Adam Boulton show
In 1998 Mike spoke on Sky TV’s Adam Boulton Show to debate controversial new Adoption laws.
1999: Lock, Stock & Barrel!
In 1999 Mike was commissioned by the South Tyneside Crime Prevention Panel to write the script for a video documentary called Crime Prevention in South Tyneside. In addition he scripted a spoof TV game show called Lock, Stock & Barrel! which was part of the same package. Lock, Stock & Barrel! featured a sleazy host who made Del Boy look like the Archbishop of Canterbury...
2001: Psychic Livetime
In 2001, Mike was asked to guest on the Granada Breeze channel’s hit daily show Psychic Livetime alongside Derek Acorah and the show’s two presenters, Becky Want and Carl Wilde. Sadly, Granada Breeze folded and, along with it, Psychic Livetime.
2001: Anatomy of a Haunting
In 2001 Mike collaborated with filmmaker Gary Wilkinson to produce Marsden Grotto - Anatomy of a Haunting, the true story behind Britain’s most haunted public house. Mike scripted the film, which was narrated by journalist Helen Charlton.