07 Oct 2026
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: Christopher Faulkner, the founder of Our Next Step, an online dating community preparing to launch in St Albans, Harpenden and Wheathampstead, which aims to help local people build meaningful connections through curated introductions, without the endless swiping. Find out more here.
Do you remember your first kiss?
Strangely, I don’t remember my first kiss, but I very vividly remember the feeling of having my very first girlfriend. There was this incredible sense of electricity about it. That feeling of suddenly having someone special in your life has definitely stayed with me.
What’s your worst habit?
Energy drinks! I have a slightly alarming passion for Red Bull. I know I should probably say something more sophisticated, but that would be a lie.
If you could travel back in time and offer your younger self some advice, what would it be?
Be more confident, take more risks and enjoy life more. Life is incredibly short, and I think that’s something you don’t always fully appreciate until you’re a little older. Don’t spend quite so much time worrying about what might go wrong – sometimes you just have to take the next step.
Dogs or cats?
Dogs, 100 per cent. I’ve had many dogs throughout my life, but Dave and Dory were the first two dogs I had with my late wife, who sadly passed away far too young. They’re still with me now – Dave is 16 and Dory is 15 – and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.
What was your first job?
Data entry in a typing-pool environment. Back then it was probably 99 per cent women, so there I was as a young lad being thoroughly mothered by all these lovely ladies, many of whom were working to bring in some extra income for their families. I have incredibly fond memories of them and would genuinely love to see them all again. They helped shape me.
How long would you survive a zombie apocalypse?
I love horror films, so this is right up my street! Everyone knows the first rule with zombies. I’d head to the local DIY shop and get tooled up – hard hat, tool belt, the works. We don’t exactly have American-style gun shops on every corner, so I’d probably choose a nail gun. I’ve always fancied recreating ‘Dawn of the Dead’ and getting trapped in a shopping centre full of zombies. I reckon I’d do surprisingly well!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Like most kids, I don’t think I really knew. I did know fairly early that I wanted to work in IT, and that first data-entry job gave me my foothold. I’ve now been an IT manager for more than 20 years and genuinely love what I do. The truth is I love working and creating things – which probably explains why I’ve now decided that building a Hertfordshire dating community called Our Next Step alongside my day job is a perfectly sensible thing to do!
Where do you walk when you want to think?
I’m very lucky to have woodland and countryside around me, so that’s where I’ll normally head. There’s something about getting away from screens, noise and everyday life that helps me think things through. It’s also a good place to come up with ideas – although sometimes I probably come back with more ideas than I left with!
Where would be your preferred place locally to get married?
Always a church. When I asked my wife to marry me, I told her I’d imagined her walking down the aisle in a white dress and veil. She laughed and said she was too old! But on the day, in she came in a beautiful white dress – veil included – and absolutely knocked me off my feet. We were around 37 and 40. It’s a beautiful memory.
Which day of your life would you most like to relive?
There are so many, but my wedding day would have to be one. Strangely, I’d like to experience it from the outside looking in – watching the whole day unfold and seeing ourselves and everyone we loved from a completely different perspective.
