Alan Harpham

Alan played sports and is a great story teller! Once upon a time he played rugby and is so old his only claim to fame is that at University (Queen Mary College, London) he once played alongside Alan Old, a former (long time ago) captain and fly-half for England. Hard to believe now but he was too light in weight and not fast enough either to play his favourite position of wing forward. He was a mean squash player who also played golf and went hill walking in his youth. In fact, hard to believe, he used to carry Richard, and his brother Matthew, up mountains in a papoose carrier until they out grew the papoose. He reckons he is still carrying Richard now though.

Not many people know that if he had had a daughter he planned to call her 'Buffy'. Named after a great Native American folk singer in the 60's. In his absence the family immediately called their first dog Buffy, a cocker spaniel, lest any poor girl should get this name! As many will know it has become Richard's nickname.

---