My memories go way back to 1968 when I was, like Andrew, a first year student at Padgate Teacher Training College in the north of England. We were both part of the same big group of friends. From Andrew's point of view, the most significant of all these friends was Barbara, who later became his wife. I'm sure everyone in our friendship group worked very hard at college, but I can't really remember too much about that! What I do remember is lots of fun and laughter, playing table football in the college bar, drinking Mackeson and blackcurrant, water fights (hostel 4 women versus hostel 7 men), riotous so-called folk nights, and playing cards - sometimes all night. One of the silliest games we ever played was a gambling game (for old pennies!) betting on cards everyone had stuck on their forehead but no-one could see their own. I can't remember who thought that one up - maybe Andrew. After their probationary year Andrew and Barbara moved to Vienna but came back to visit several times. The first time was three months later in order to get married in Leek. I have particularly fond memories of Andrew and Barbara's wedding which was in December 1972. A very joyous occasion where at least half the guests were friends from college and nearly everyone including Barbara and Andrew, spent the night at the hotel where the party was. By that time wine had been spilled on Barbara's wedding dress and Andrew had been literally dancing on a table. I also remember spending time with Andrew's sister Jill when one of her visits to Vienna coincided with mine. We spent the long train journey back to England together. After leaving Vienna, Andrew and Barbara moved to Rome. On their next visit to England Andrew had quite a rant about the "ridiculous habit" of Italian men carrying man-bags. After living in Italy for a while longer Andrew then arrived back on a visit to England with his very own man-bag which caused us all to collapse with laughter. I was devastated when Andrew and Barbara split up in 1986. Unfortunately I lost touch with Andrew after he moved to Luxembourg. But I am still close to Barbara and I am also very pleased to have been able to get to know Cassie and Clare - both lovely independent-minded women. You are both a credit to Barbara and Andrew. So very sorry to hear the news. Condolences to all the family.
Pat Homewood (formerly Pat Collier)
My memories go way back to 1968 when I was, like Andrew, a first year student at Padgate Teacher Training College in the north of England. We were both part of the same big group of friends. From Andrew's point of view, the most significant of all these friends was Barbara, who later became his wife. I'm sure everyone in our friendship group worked very hard at college, but I can't really remember too much about that! What I do remember is lots of fun and laughter, playing table football in the college bar, drinking Mackeson and blackcurrant, water fights (hostel 4 women versus hostel 7 men), riotous so-called folk nights, and playing cards - sometimes all night. One of the silliest games we ever played was a gambling game (for old pennies!) betting on cards everyone had stuck on their forehead but no-one could see their own. I can't remember who thought that one up - maybe Andrew. After their probationary year Andrew and Barbara moved to Vienna but came back to visit several times. The first time was three months later in order to get married in Leek. I have particularly fond memories of Andrew and Barbara's wedding which was in December 1972. A very joyous occasion where at least half the guests were friends from college and nearly everyone including Barbara and Andrew, spent the night at the hotel where the party was. By that time wine had been spilled on Barbara's wedding dress and Andrew had been literally dancing on a table. I also remember spending time with Andrew's sister Jill when one of her visits to Vienna coincided with mine. We spent the long train journey back to England together. After leaving Vienna, Andrew and Barbara moved to Rome. On their next visit to England Andrew had quite a rant about the "ridiculous habit" of Italian men carrying man-bags. After living in Italy for a while longer Andrew then arrived back on a visit to England with his very own man-bag which caused us all to collapse with laughter. I was devastated when Andrew and Barbara split up in 1986. Unfortunately I lost touch with Andrew after he moved to Luxembourg. But I am still close to Barbara and I am also very pleased to have been able to get to know Cassie and Clare - both lovely independent-minded women. You are both a credit to Barbara and Andrew. So very sorry to hear the news. Condolences to all the family.
Pat Homewood (formerly Pat Collier)
