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Controverscial.Com

Welcome

George Knowles

(Man in Black)

A brief biography

I was born in Oldham, Lancashire, on the 24^th July 1954.  Raised in a number of state childcare facilities, I was deprived of a parental upbringing due to the instability of the family unit.  As such from the age of three, I spent most of my early years being shunted around from one facility to another.  In my teen years I was sent to a foster home in Blackpool (the famous holiday resort on the northwest coast of England), and there I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I now consider Blackpool my hometown and frequently return there when I feel the need to rejuvenate myself. 

I was educated in standard Secondary Modern State Schools and had a particular propensity for Music, Art and History.  I left school as soon as I could however, sadly passing the opportunity of further collage education (much to the regret of my teachers).  My main concern at the time was independence from the clutches of state control.  I'd had enough of the stigma associated with being an orphan, and wanted the freedom to make my own decisions concerning my own life and career (see Photo Gallery).   

After leaving school I spent a few years educating myself in manly pursuits (Photo Gallery), before settling for a career in the Army aged 20.  I spent the next 11 years in the armed forces working as a musician playing Cornet, Trumpet and Euphonium (Photo Gallery).  As a civilian, I have worked mainly as a Licensee and Manager of Pubs, Clubs and Hotels (Photo Gallery).  In 1989, I set up my own business as a Driving Instructor and operated my own Driving School, before returning to the License Trade due to the recession in 1993.

Fed up with the fickle nature of the general public, after the turn of the century 2000, I again quit the license trade and took up employment in the Security Industry.  This allows me the solitude and time to concentrate on my new interests "Writing and the History Witchcraft".  My interest in writing started after buying my first computer, and while researching a controversial article for this website I was led into the subject of Paganism and Witchcraft.  I have to say that my initial findings were indeed controversial, but to my skeptical mind at least none of it seemed credible, so I decided to dig deeper.   The more I found and researched, the more it felt like I was working my way home.  I'm still a skeptic however and don’t follow any particular craft or tradition, but work quietly from my home called "Pagan Place" (Photo Gallery) as an Eclectic Solitary practitioner.  My craft name is Man in Black.

Qualifications

As can be seen from the above, I have no academic qualifications to speak of, so you will not find anything here difficult to read.  I am not a scholar or trained researcher, nor am I associated with any educational bodies, organizations or secret esoteric groups.  I am not a professional writer, nor a published author, except for the articles you will find here on this website and others I have contributed to on the WWW.  Neither do I have access to rare documents held in private collections or specialized libraries.  I also have no appreciable prestige in the Wiccan, Witchcraft or Pagan communities, which means I am not out to impress anyone and have no axe to grind against anyone.  I started this website out of self-interest, and while I have my own opinions in some areas covered, I have tried to present the facts as best I can, honestly and without bigotry.  I therefore hope you all enjoy this website??

My dog "Ben"

"Ben" has been with me since 1989, my humble friend and companion.  In all that time, through thick and thin, and my up's and down's,  we have never been apart.  Though he has just passed twelve years old, he is still full of life and mischief.  He has a peculiar "sticky-up-ear" which enhances his character and personality.

Sadly I have to report that at 0400 am two days after Christmas 2001, I let Ben out into my garden and despite searches by myself, neighbours, police and dog wardens, he has not been seen since.  After 13 years in my company he is sorely missed and in my thoughts often, though strangely whatever happened or wherever he be, I feel sure he is well and being looked after.  In the meantime life goes on, and would you believe my home has since been adopted by a green eyed black cat with a single white spot on her chest called 'Jenny'.  As with most felines however, she was a little bossy and vocal initially, but since I put my foot down (and out) we now seem to be living in harmony, hehehe.  

Have a nice Day.

Re-set 18 April 2009

Articles and Stories about Witchcraft:  Murder by Witchcraft /  The Fairy Witch of Clonmel /  A Battleship, U-boat, and a Witch /  The Troll-Tear (A story for Children) /  Goody Hawkins - The Wise Goodwife /  The Story of Jack-O-Lantern /  The Murder of the Hammersmith Ghost /  Josephine Gray (The Infamous Black Widow) /  The Two Brothers - Light and Dark