People   (Re-unions, trace old friends and relatives.)

I haven't seen Stan Mapson for a while. Always a unique sense of humour. A few years ago I met him at the hospital - it turned out we were both being treated for the same type of cancer - follicular lymphoma. Last time we spoke he was in remission. Mine came back but I'm back in remission again. Stan was a builder, but I guess he might have retired as he's a bit older than me (I'm nearly 68 but still working). Sue got a law degree, but I believe she worked in Social Services. They bought a nice house somewhere behind the Bellingham.
Many names that I too remember. I see 'Jolly Jim' Bolton frequently. Haven't seen Jazz or Malc in a while. I used to hang about with Custer (Tony Meadows) and Toshack (Chris Ashcroft). Most people knew me as Dylan back then. I later hung about with Paul McKinder, Walt Tolley, Daffy and Alan Grimes to mention just a few. I always thought Petal died from drinking WD40; I know that he regularly drank mentholated spirits. He ran out of money one afternoon in the Market; he then offered to do a streak along Mesnes Street for some beer money. The Market was the main hippy meeting place; the Park was popular too. I loved a short visit to the Market followed by a good night at the Students Union (old Swinley labour Club). It was always a good night at the FAG, upstairs in the Swan and Railway. Another name here - Merlin from Pemberton. He did a gig one night at the FAG. As for bikers, I remember Pete (don't know the surname) telling me he was getting married. They married in the church near the Park Hotel (later demolished). The bride arrived in a sidecar made of orange box wood. Hells Angels from all over came to the wedding. The headline in the newspaper was 'Wedding Bells Bring Angels'.
Good days - doesn't seem so long ago. Life moves fast.