Mark CitiZen Lawrence
In 1972, aged 20, I came to Chelmsford taking various manual labouring jobs and where, in 1975, I bought a corner of a field, so as to explore an organic lifestyle; during which time I studied for a Commercial Horticulture qualification from Writtle Agricultural College.
In 1977 I set up the first of several market stalls, selling wholefoods, which eventually formed the basis for the establishment of a Workers Co-operative in 1978 in which I was one of seven founding members. Bramble Wholefoods Co-operative ran a wholesale warehouse in Braintree and delivered to many of the independent health-food shops and buying groups throughout East Anglia.
During this period I became a member of Chelmsford Morris men for a time and also began a 20 year relationship with the study and practise of Aikido and later with that of Tai Chi.
In 1981 I began a six-year part-time training programme in Osteopathy, during which time I spent some years as a ‘house-husband,’ looking after my daughter, working part-time and studying.
In 1983 I initiated the establishment of Essex Co-operative Development Agency which was formally launched in January 1985, funded in part by Bramble, Chelmsford Star Retail Society (Co-op) and NALGO (Essex Region). By 1988 substantial funding had been raised from Essex County Council and the EEC Social Fund, leading to the appointment of a full-time worker based at the Essex Business Centre, Church St, Chelmsford.
For a time, I was involved with Chelmsford Green Party and in 1987 stood as a Green candidate for Great Baddow Parish Council, gaining some 10% of the votes cast.
During the period 1972 -1992 friends and I performed, on occasion, as a small music/theatre group(Ethel Grunt) in various folk clubs and events in Essex. I also had several poems published.
From 1988 I spent the next 30 years practising as an Osteopath, during which time I undertook a four-year part-time training in Naturopathy and also gained various teaching qualifications, culminating in 2010 with a Masters in Medical Science. I was, for a while, Principal of The College of Osteopaths and Chair of the Council of Osteopathic Institutions.
I retired from Osteopathic practice in May 2019 having purchased another piece of land so as to further explore the organic way of life and to enjoy spending time with the grandchildren.
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