As many of you know that Pat was one of a number of starters that had magnums as starting pistols with very loud bullets that generated a rather large flash of fire and I can remember on many occasions seeing athletes jump out of their skins when he fired his gun. One memorable occasion that still to this day brings a smile to my face was the occasion when he started at the indoor sports hall event at Bricket Wood sports centre a rather large building with a metal roof. I was chairman of the Hertfordshire AA development team and attended the event along with the Mayor of St Albans. I arrived at the centre, parked my car and proceeded to walk towards the hall when a loud explosion, which I am sure could be heard many miles away, came from within the building, rushing into the sports centre I found Pat, who had just fired a practice round, resplendent in his red jacket and obligatory red hat and his magnum in his hand getting ready to start the numerous events taking place. Not only was the event for young school children but I had to sit next to the lady mayor of St Albans and whilst the children got used to the gun, unfortunately, the mayor rose about two feet off the bench we were sitting on every time Pat started. Pat will be missed by all the members of the athletic community that knew, loved and relied on him. Malcolm Wallace