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Professor Hepworth still remembers his first chemistry lesson aged 10 at Huddersfield College given by Noel Hurst. He was hooked, and two excellent chemistry teachers, John Hadwin and Jos Browning ensured that his fascination and enthusiasm were maintained. Following a PhD (London) in heterocyclic chemistry, Professor Hepworth moved into tertiary education with posts at Huddersfield, North Lindsey and Derby Colleges of Technology, culminating at the University of Central Lancashire as Professor of Organic Chemistry and where he is now an Emeritus Professor.

All these institutions supported research activity and so he was able to enjoy the best of both worlds; undergraduate teaching and research. During this time, he was variously a consultant to the Boots Co., Pilkingtons and James Robinson Ltd and a Visiting Professor at Hull University. His industrially sponsored research group in O-heterocycles has benefitted from a succession of excellent hard working – and often hard playing – research students and post-docs and has produced a range of commercial photochromes.  

In retirement, Professor Hepworth actively maintains links with his Local Section and continues to give wine tasting talks to other sections and various charities. He is a member of the New Zealand Society of Great Britain, specialising in the postal history of New Zealand. Age tells though, and tennis has had to give way to bowls.