Philip Nourse

About

Philip Nourse was born in Wells, Somerset. He was educated at St George's School, Windsor Castle, and Marlborough College before reading psychology at Brunel University. After qualifying as a chartered surveyor, he worked in London and Hong Kong where he and his second wife, Diane, lived for thirty-three years. In 2005, Philip began a new career in publishing and also set up his own business, offering editorial, design and photography services. He and Diane returned to live in London in 2017, although they keep a pied-à-terre in Hong Kong to escape the English winters.

ONE LIFE, TWO WORLDS

‘I am not a politician, rock star, actor or journalist. I am not a “Somebody”. I am a man of modest ambitions, who has led a somewhat out-of-the-ordinary life in search of happiness and fulfilment.’

Philip Nourse was brought up in a country parsonage in London’s affluent stockbroker belt before moving at the age of seven to Windsor Castle, where his father had been appointed a minor canon. Here he enjoyed the privileges of singing in the choir of St George’s Chapel, a Royal Peculiar, mixing with royalty and attending grand parties when he was old enough. His ten years living in the castle, especially during the golden era of the 1960s, and meeting an exceptional mix of people would change his life.

After receiving his education at Marlborough College and reading psychology and social sciences at Brunel University, he qualified as a chartered surveyor and joined a leading international property consultancy in the City of London. But after a failed marriage, he headed East to find a new life in Hong Kong. He was awestruck by the lifestyle in this exciting and dynamic city, which he describes as a kaleidoscope.

Philip’s first three years in Hong Kong were fraught with difficulties, not only in the aftermath of his marriage but also as he reflected on his chosen career and contemplated the future. He went back to England following the stock-market crash of October 1987, but returned a year later and rose to become an executive director of a major property consultancy. He subsequently pursued a new career in publishing and set up his own business in 2003, providing editorial, design and photography services.

Philip first met his second wife, Diane, in London in 1983. After they met up once again in Hong Kong, they married in 1991.

During his time in Hong Kong, he witnessed significant events that were to change the city forever: the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration; the Tiananmen Square Massacre, which shocked not only Hong Kong but the entire Western world; the handover of sovereignty to China; the outbreak of SARS; and, in more recent times, unprecedented violent anti-government protests.

One Life, Two Worlds recounts the richness of a privileged upbringing and offers glimpses of a colourful life in Hong Kong; but the story also explores the author’s emotions, reflections and self-doubts.

Introduction

1 The Early Years: 1949-1957

2 Windsor Castle: 1957-1963

3 The Swinging Sixties: 1963-1967

4 Uxbridge not Oxbridge: 1967-1972

5 The City: 1972-1984

6 Heading East: 1984-1987

7 Interregnum: 1987-1988

8 Back to Hong Kong: 1988-1993

9 Uncharted Waters: 1993-1997

10 The Handover and Beyond: 1997-2005

11 The Next Chapter: 2005-2017