Member Profile: Jo Rowley

Sex: If you can't guess by the photos, you probably don't deserve telling

Job title: Currently Medical Secretary, soon to be a Health Promotion Student

Where do you live? Just outside Birmingham, moving to Wolverhampton at the end of the year.

Regimental nickname: Have been known to answer to Arlass, but this isn't used that frequently as a nickname any more

Role: Follower/ drummer/ tame medic, depending on the requirements of the event, and what's needed am happy to have a go at most things, have been known to jump on to the back of the odd pike push.

Why did you join the SK?: Easter 1996, first event was Brigade training at Thorpe Hall (that weekend is a story in itself!), trying to find something to do for that summer to occupy in the post A-level boredom. 7 years later, am slowly coming to the realisation that this might not actually be a "phase" any more, although it certainly does alleviate the boredom!

Why the Blews?: Met the regiment in 1998, through an ex, whom I was was actually going out with at the time, while I was a member of the SKMS (Sealed Knot Medical Service), and as the relationship lasted a while I ended up associating with Blews on the social side for quite a while, and when I made the decision to leave the SKMS at the end of the 2001 season, although I had split from the relationship that had introduced me to the regiment, the regiment (I think) were quite happy for me to transfer in, actually I think some were actually surprised when my initiation drink was given to me at Thorpe Hall 2001. They are, as far as I am aware from all the regiments I have come across in the Society, and that's quite a few of them, they are the most amiable, relaxed, least faction ridden and generally supportive group of people I have possibly had the pleasure to meet.

What do you like about the Regiment / Sealed Knot: Lack of faction, there is pretty much always somebody up to talk to (not always coherently, but that's not what musters were designed for), there are such a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences within the regiment its a real eye-opener, nothing is rarely what or who they seem - in the nicest possible way!

What you dislike about the Regiment / Sealed Knot: Just to join the bandwaggon - the politics and windbagging can get you down, but if you don't like it, you can always solve the problem by opening a bottle of Port. The portaloos have a charm of their own, Sunday mornings have never been such an adventure.....

Advice for new / prospective members: Don't even think about joining if you hate good company, laughing , trying new things, meeting new people or going new places. If you enjoy boredom, wishing something exciting would happen and hoping its going to be delivered to your front door wrapped in shiny paper and ribbons, then this is not your hobby. The biggest challenge is deciding you are going to do it and actually coming away for that first event. The other piece of advice I would give is that if you want to try something within the Society, go for it, you might just find that you do actually like it.

Other comments: Best decision I think I ever made was joining up.