Profile
Sheridan Williams
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About Me:
I am retired but started life as a Rocket Scientist with the Ministry of Defence.
After that I became a lecturer in Mathematics and Computer Science.
I am a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and show people around the Open University’s observatory.
I lead a tour company taking people all over the world to see astronomical events such as eclipses, aurorae, meteor showers.
I now take education groups on visits to the National Museum of Computing located at Bletchley Park. I have my own Enigma machine
Enigma machine
and demonstrate Colossus
The world’s first electronic digital computer
and very early computer systems e.g. the WITCH
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I started life as a Rocket Scientist with the Ministry of Defence.
After that I became a lecturer in Mathematics and Computer Science.
I am a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and show people around the Open University’s observatory.
I lead a tour company taking people all over the world to see astronomical events such as eclipses, aurorae, meteor showers.I now take education groups on visits to the National Museum of Computing located at Bletchley Park.
I have several telescopes and love taking pictures of stars, galaxies and planets.
I have a greyhound and a couple of racehorses.
I have written several book/publications on solar eclipses, here’s one about the next few eclipses
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My pronouns are:
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My Work:
I am retired but work at the National Museum of Computing (TNMOC)(https://www.tnmoc.org/) at Bletchley Park where Alan Turing worked. I demonstrate early computers such as Colossus, I have my own Enigma machine and am into cryptography where AI can help immensely.
I am also an astronomer where AI can help with many things, I own some meteorites. I’m also an archivist digitising computer manuals, publications and astronomical material dating back to the 1800s.
I take people on astronomy tours and have seen 19 total solar eclipses. I am also an ex racing and rally car driver. -
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I have a greyhound and a couple of racehorses.
I have written several book/publications on solar eclipses, here’s one about the next few eclipses
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My Typical Day:
Being retired I am flexible in what I do but I wake at 7:30am, walk the dog and then do a few puzzles to keep my brain active: Nerdle, Wordle and Quordle are my favourites.
I love the GCHQ puzzles that come out at Christmas.
I have a couple of old classic cars that need looking after.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
Give it to the National Museum of Computing to help with their displays.
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Education:
Bishop Challoner Grammar School, Bromley, Kent
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Qualifications:
A-Levels
ONC in maths
HNC in electronic engineering
BSC in maths, statistics and computing
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Work History:
Scientific Officer with the Ministry of Defence
Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Hendon College
Director of BEEBUG a company that supported the BBC Microcomputer. The company installed computer networks in schools
Retired aged 52
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Current Job:
An education tour guide at the National Museum of Computing
Astronomy author
Guide at the Open University’s observatory.
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Employer:
No full-time employment as I’m now 75.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
ex-rocket scientist and computer historian
What did you want to be after you left school?
I had no idea
Were you ever in trouble at school?
no
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
I'm retired
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Dire Straits
What's your favourite food?
Vietnamese
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I could live to 100, visit Costa Rica, win lots of money so I can give it to charity
Tell us a joke.
What's the longest word? SMILES, as there's a mile between the fisrt and last letters.
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