My Wiltshire Life - Charlie Finbow

9:08am Thursday 24th May 2007

CHARLIE Finbow, 57, is the recently elected mayor of Westbury, and former drummer in the band Rubber Duck. Mr Finbow, moved to Wiltshire in 1977 to follow his band, but it was his love of the county that has kept him here ever since.

Father-of-two, Cllr Finbow, of Oldfield Park, said: "I moved down here from Essex and liked it so much that I stayed." He and his wife Janette, 49 have two children, James, 21, and Kayleigh, 19 and an 18-month old grandson, Ben.

How would your best friend describe you?

Nuts! I don't take myself very seriously but I take everything I do seriously. I am a typical drummer I suppose.

Where would you recommend for a great day or evening out?

Lacock is a beautiful village because of its architecture. To be honest I haven't been to a place in Wiltshire that I haven't liked. It is great here and that's why I stayed. We have got the most beautiful countryside here and the beach is an hour away, what more could you want?

What do you do for fun?

I like to be with my family. I have got an 18-month-old grandson called Ben and he keeps us all entertained. He is a fantastic little character.

Describe your most vivid dream?

I don't really dream much or at least nothing that I can remember, certainly nothing vivid enough that comes to mind.

Who in the public eye do you respect the most and why?

I respect lots and lots of people. I respect anybody who is prepared to stand up and be counted.

I used to quite admire Keith Emerson, from the band The Nice. I used to hold him in quite high esteem. He was also in the band Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

What is your biggest regret?

I can honestly say I do not have any regrets. I am here today talking to you and I am happy to be here with all that I have done. We all make mistakes and they are things that we learn from.

What is your favourite film or TV show?

I only watch the news and sport on TV. I am more of a music fan to be honest. I like anything from classical to rock and my favourite would have to be Barclay James Harvest.

What makes you sad?

What really makes me sad is that there is so much unhappiness in the world. If everyone could treat people the way they would like to be treated we would all live in a better place. Respect seems to have gone out of the window nowadays.

Describe your perfect day.

I would like to go and watch the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. I support Jenson Button. Cheer on the local boy and so on.

I like spending time with my family too with the phone switched off. What with mobiles, it is getting harder to get away from it all.