His wife was a lovely lady as well
Certainly was. I saw them out walking on the prom not long before he passed away. Even from a distance you could tell it was Arthur just by his walking stance.
Both being part of the St Chads Poulton mafia my parents knew Arthur well, we only lived on the next road to them, and I played badminton with him for several years. Wonderful man.
A quick "funny" story about me and him. My very first day at Baines, first morning break Arthur walked in, said anyone wanting a trial for the school football team stay behind the rest can go to break. I knew I wouldn't be good enough so I was walking out - as I passed him, he looked at me, smiled said "who forgot his tracksuit then?" I'd no idea who he was, or that he was talking to me so I just kept going. Question repeated, same nil response, I'd no idea what he was on about. Next thing, throat job, dragged down to about an inch away - don't ignore me boy, you forgot your tracksuit on Friday, I brought it home for you. Thank you sir I stammered.
I'd still no idea who he was or what he was talking about. I was going round the yard asking people if he was OK. Home that night, mum said how's your first day. Good mum, but... What have you done? There was this teacher, Mr Field. Oh Arthur, yes. Well you remember Arthur don't you, he took you on the dodgems at the gala when you 4 while I was expecting your brother. No I don't remember that. Well, you left your tracksuit top behind on Friday and he dropped it off.
Very kind, but she'd not told me that had happened. Me and Arthur used to chuckle about that one in later life.