Reared on a staple diet of science-fiction films and Airfix models, it was perhaps inevitable that Laurie would eventually end up building rocket models. Born 17th September 1961, he was named Laurence after his father and Grandfather making him the third to bear that name. Laurie would go on to make 400 model kits in various mediums including a metal working traction engine. The photo is off a young Laurie who would go on to get 9 'O' levels and 3 'A' levels at school.
In 1978 a film was released at the old Romford Odeon. The film was to have a very big impact on Laurie. The film was Star Wars. This inspired Laurie to make numerous amateur films and at the time of writing this in 1998, Laurie was working on his 104th production and had won 20 awards. Laurie has a Star Wars collection which has some very rare items such as the complete set of old figures, a replica Stormtrooper full size suit and an Imperial Officer's jacket from one of the films. Laurie worked for 5 years in the film industry as a special effects cameraman as a direct result of his SW interest and worked on 100 TV programmes and adverts and 4 films. Currently he works for HM Customs & Excise (sorry about that) and does part-time work as a feature film extra having just worked on 'Shakespeare in Love' with Gwyneth Paltrow (Cor!).
Other interests include cars - Laurie owned a 1978 Corvette which was capable of 162 mph (we have a witness) 13 miles to the gallon (on a good day) and it could snap knicker elastic at fifty paces. What a car! Laurie also has an XR3 in a museum at Fords in Dagenham and has raced Go-karts twice (third and first position) and driven several cars at Santa Pod drag strip. Laurie enjoys making music on his synths and drum machines and has made over 100 tracks and made a CD. Photography is another hobby which has even led him to meet some page 3 beauties. Hmmmm. Nowadays Laurie is enjoying playing with his computer to make films and hopefully soon to produce music.
It was his Star Wars interest that led him to make an Estes X-Wing, R2-D2 and TIE Fighter. This in turn sparked off his imagination and rocketry became a mild obsession from 1995 onwards. Currently the fleet consists of 123 rockets (about a third of which are crashed, lost or converted) and 500 flights achieved. Laurie decided to set up a rocket club called HART and with help from his friends.......well I think you know the rest.
Laurie is married to Pauline and has a baby boy and another baby on the way. Guess what his boy is called? Yep you've got it - Laurie.
