In 2009, Alex and I wrote this Alan's 80th birthday when we had a grand family gathering at St Albans Friends Meeting House. "Words are not enough to describe Alan, but he is : A faithful Friend, a liberal Guardian reader, A man of principle: conscientious objector, Fair-trader, behind the source of many anecdotes,. A great lover of steam trains, engineering, stamps and snooker and after the sacred sofa snooze, Countdown; In the kitchen a marvellous marmalade maker. The garden weed assassin of St. Albans and Hemel. A fault? A hater of butter that’s too cold to spread. What more can I say about a father, my father Who has given me more than words could ever say. Sarah and Alex January 2009