My how time flies, in 2001 I was cast as Doctor Paul Knapman who was the Coroner for the original inquiry into the Marchioness river boat disaster, a character who seemed particularly dislikeable and was responsible for the removal of the hands of victims for fingerprinting in an attempt to identify the bodies which later proved to be unnecessary.
Some 20 years later the Director, Lance Steen Anthony Nielsen has produced a book which contains the cast details and a copy of the full play which tells the story of The Marchioness Inquiry, 11 Years Down the River.
On August 20th 1989, a collision on London’s River Thames between the dredging vessel Bowbelle and the pleasure boat, Marchioness, resulted in the loss of 51 lives. It would take eleven years of tireless campaigning before the families were finally given a public inquiry into the disaster. The hearings revealed a culture of individual, corporate and institutional failures to address ongoing safety issues, which could have prevented the disaster.
Based on the revelatory transcripts of the formal investigation into the disaster, this is the text of the dramatic reconstruction of that public inquiry and is available now.
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About The Diary of a Country Bumpkin
I am a retired actor, although to be honest I only retired because I wasn't getting any work due to losing my agent when I became a full time carer to my mother who had dementia. and the option of becoming an unemployed actor/waiter at my age was ludicrous, especially as my waiting skills are non-existent.
Having said I’m retired, I don’t think there really is such a thing as a retired actor for I am still available for work, I just don’t have an agent or any connections with regards to obtaining any worthwhile work.
I have over the years done student films when there is nothing else available, always low paid (if at all) the only incentive was always the promised copy of the finished film for your show reel which nine times out of ten always failed to materialise.
I spent many years looking after my aged mother and shortly after her death I was lucky enough to run into an ex-girlfriend of many years ago and our romance blossomed once again, resulting in us getting married in 2013.
My move to the countryside inspired me to write The Diary of a Country Bumpkin which tells of my continuing dilemmas in dealing with the rigors of the countryside from the unexpectedly large number of pollens, fungal moulds and hay products waiting to attack the unsuspecting townie.
I enjoy writing, see my play Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori on The Wireless Theatre Company, The Plays Wot I Wrote and The Battle of Barking Creek both available on Amazon.co.uk and am very fond of classic cars so my ideal occupation would be acting in a film I had written set in the 1930s/40s, we live in hopes.
I am delighted to say that since venturing to the countryside where space is not quite the premium it is in town, I have due to the availability of two double garages acquired more classic cars to form a small collection the pride of which are a 1947 Bentley Mk VI and a 2000 Bentley Arnage.
My various blogs and websites are continually evolving and I’m sure that by following the appropriate links you will find something which will edify or amuse.
I have written a number of different books all available on Amazon, so don't be shy should you feel the urge to purchase. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Joe-Wells/e/B06XKWFQHT/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
The Diary of a Country Bumpkin 
Is that really 32 years ago?!!
I think everything is just a few years ago and am always surprised when I see how long ago things actually are. It seems only yesterday I did the play.
Oh wow, how tme flies.
The older I’m getting the faster it’s going!
Ditto!