5 MINUTES WITH - BRIAN TIMMINS

Brian Timmins is celebrating. His company. Inishowen Garden Equipment in Shandrum has been in business for five years supplying garden machinery and decking. Brian is usually about to give advice on the best products and materials to suit individual customers. He is passionate about good quality machinery and he likes to be hands on with servicing and repairs. He lives with his wife Mary and their four children.

What music do you like?

I tend to go for rock music. I particularly like AC-DC, the Bon Scott era from the 1970's and 80's is my favourite.

What would you never throw away?

The photographs of my family. They are a snapshot into our lives and would be really missedWhat book are you reading?My brother gave me my latest book, which I am really enjoying. It's a book by Mel Flanagan, the Irish golfer called Golf Mysteries: the Secret of Good Golf......... Mel writes well and gets straight to the point.

What was your favourite childhood game?

Football, I used to play at school and in the Boys Brigade in Ballykelly.Have you been to the cinema recently and what did you see?I took my eldest daughter to see Ratatouille. We both really enjoyed it.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?

I always read papers (and magazines), from back to front. I am not sure why as I don't really go for the sports pages, it's just a habit.

What is your idea of a good night out?

Good company. It's important to make sure you get home in one piece too, so arranging how you will get home before you go out is important. Many a night has been ruined waiting for a taxi.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?

I call this the wig story. I was playing bowls one day and got talking to a friendly woman. After a while I noticed a man sporting a very ill fitting wig that was jet black and clashed with his own white hair that was sticking out of the sides. I pointed this out to the woman and came out with some choice comments like "look at the shape of that man", and had a good laugh. The woman turned to me and told me it was her husband. It's times like these you wish the ground would open up.

Have you a favourite TV programme?

Anything political. I try to watch Hearts and Minds and This Week with Andrew Neill.

How do you relax?

Being out working in the garden is very relaxing. I enjoy it when the children are out there too.What job did you want to do when you were a child?I remember vividly, I wanted to drive a combine harvester. We used to sit with the driver and watch the barley going into the back of the machine.

Where would you like to go on holiday?

Anywhere at all.What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?John Hume. He is an interesting man who worked for the people.

Favourite animal?

Cats. We have one ourselves called Boo. She is white and ghostly looking. The world’s most useful invention?Light bulbs.

Biggest fear?

I don't like heights. I watched the film Vertical Limits once and realised it's one thing going up and going down can be even more dangerous.

Biggest thrill?

My children being born.

Worlds most irritating invention?

The half crank engine. You sometimes find these in some hedge cutters and strimmers. I don't sell them and try not to work on them either, they are noisy, smoky and unreliable.

What makes a good night in?

A bottle of beer and a boxing match on the telly.

Biggest disappointment?

The loss of my grandparents a few years ago. They were very influential.

Which period in history would you like to have lived through?

The Victorian era, the industrial age. The world changed with the invention of the steam engine. It has influenced our lives ever since.

Personal philosophy?

Be patient. It will come to you.