I discovered the red box basic D&D in Woolworths (Wrexham) around 1982 and was enthralled by the concept and funny shaped dice. I read the rules and started playing with friends. We discovered a teacher at school who also played and convinced him to start an AD&D club for us. Here I played one of my few characters, I mostly referee.
We continued with AD&D with friends during those long summer holidays and added more games including the one that became my favourite, Call of Cthulhu. We played Middle Earth Role playing, Traveller, Twilight 2000, Paranoia, Judge Dredd, Golden Heroes, TORG, and probably others I have forgotten. Some we enjoyed, some we played only once or twice.
As usual life got in the way of role playing fun and I was lost to the hobby for many years. Over the last year, now living in Australia, I have started playing again and found some others who want to play to. I am really enjoying my resurgence into the role playing arena.