Welcome to halfpint.me.uk — the personal website of Martin Halford

I'm Martin, a retired civil engineer living in Somerset in the south-west of England. This site is a collection of my hobbies, interests, and family history research — a mix of practical projects, genealogical discoveries, and things that bring me joy.

Family History & Genealogy

One of my enduring interests is tracing my family roots. I've researched the Halford, Cowling, Senior, and Cockburn branches of my family tree using Genes Reunited, Ancestry, and various genealogical forums. The site documents my ancestors back several generations, including my father James Harold Halford, who served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers during WWII. I've published his photographs from France, Belgium, Holland and Germany taken towards the end of the war — showing bridges blown up by the retreating German Army, the reconstruction efforts, and how the Royal Engineers spent their leisure time in the immediate post-war period.

Gardening & Self-Sufficiency

After moving home in late 2016, I embarked on my major gardening project: constructing two large circular raised beds. Made from recycled agricultural Stokbord and stainless steel bolts, these 4.66m diameter beds cost under £9 per square metre — a fraction of commercial alternatives. The design uses tension in the outer skin rather than flexure, inspired by circular water tanks. The site includes detailed specifications and costings for anyone wanting to build their own.

Music & Live Events

Music is a passion, particularly folk and americana. I occasionally promote live music events and share recommendations from artists I discover. The site features videos from performances I've enjoyed, including NPR Tiny Desk concerts. I'm also a bass player enthusiast and maintain a page dedicated to my favourite bass players.

Projects & Technology

My interests extend to practical technology and making. I have a model railway under construction (work in progress videos included), a 1993 Mazda MX5 (Eunos) Mk1 imported from Japan that I've toured through France and Ireland, and various Raspberry Pi and self-hosting projects. I'm keen on solar energy, 3D printing, and all manner of tech tinkering.

Walking

In 2013, my wife Jill and I, along with friends, completed the South Downs Way — all 100 miles plus the Eastbourne Loop — spread across five weekends using rail connections and overnight stays in pubs and B&Bs. I've documented our itinerary and the rail connections that make this walk accessible without a car.

Get in Touch

If you'd like to discuss anything on the site — whether it's genealogy, raised bed construction, music recommendations, or self-hosting — please email me at martin@halfpint.me.uk or find me on Mastodon at @halfpint@fosstodon.org.

AI

Everything on this site (except this page) I wrote myself without the help of an AI/LLM. This page though is the work of v@ne55a my 'openclaw' personal assistant unedited