We will try to link maps and family history. x

AN INTERACTIVE GUIDEFor walkers, cyclists, foodies and families, train buffs, history nuts and the casually curious

Working from home as a Freelance Cartographer.A business called "The Map Factory"Maps of everywhere.Family tree mapsBusiness Mapsother maps

I am the Production Manager on this title for Dr David English CBE MBE OSCA and Joe Cuby. We have just published the 2014 version.It willl be available on-line athttp://www.bunburycricket.com/index.html

I began my cartographic career back in October 1990 with a map publishing company based in North London. They produced a range of cartographic products for an extensive list of national clients. All maps were produced in the traditional way using drawing film, masking layers and camera work. This continued for a few years, we took on extra staff to deal with the demand. In 1993 I became Senior Cartographer, with a team of two other cartographers. It was around this time that I became involved in the first foray into computer cartography, setting up the department with early Macs with Freehand 3. We continued in this vein, being to supply a quicker service to our employers. An ability to understand and acquire new skills quickly and independently and to adapt easily to different situations became a main part of this job for the next 15 years.Throughout the 90’s I continued to supply all maps required for the various projects, from initial brief through to completion. It ran parallel to a vacant role of Production Manager, which was available at the time, I seemed to envelop this role, both as a cost saving initiative, but also as the cartographic side of the business waxed and waned. As Production Manager, I became responsible for the running of the production department of 16 people. This involved a lot more scope, with the co-ordination of advertising, graphic design and any cartography into a final package for the client. I would then be responsible for the placing of these projects with various repro houses and printers, and would follow the job through to completion.After 2000 we became involved in about 6 sport titles and 12 Lifestyle titles annually.Still producing up to 100 map titles as well. This was the role I had for the next 9 years.

Responsibilities:Leader of self-managing team with individual responsibilities for quality improvement, customer liaison and copyright control Established and maintained mapping help-desk for internal staffDesigned and introduced in-house templates for customers to ease workflow and reduce editing timeDesigned and produced cartographic products for a wide range of clients, including physical and thematic maps, illustrations, in-house magazines, posters, and presentation material

Responsible for keeping a busy kitchen running in an exquisite villa. Well, cleaning the plates. pots and pans really. But an important job!