Richard started walking with his late neighbour Peter Hampton when Peter retired in late nine nineties. The group enlarged as Peter’s colleagues (Neil, Mick and I) in turn retired and returned to the area. When Peter died the group of lads was reduced again to four. We took it in turns to find a walk somewhere not too far from Wolverhampton. Richard had a fondness for walks around Penn and the Wom valley but also took us to Boscobel, Bishops Wood and even over the Wrekin. Richard often used one of Bob Alton’s walks from the Express and Star, perhaps with minor modification from his own knowledge and experience. . He liked to do some checking to ensure he could follow Bob’s route on the OS map and if he had time, to do the walk or unfamiliar parts of it beforehand to check path condition and Bob’s directions. Richard was not too fond of mud and liked to certain of the route. I can only recall a couple of times when we had difficulty finding our way on Richard’s walks. On one occasion a landmark tree must have been removed and on another we kept straight ahead over a style when we should have gone slightly left and consequently on both occasions we could not make sense of Bob’s instructions. Richard Mick and I usually went together to the start of the walk. When Richard was the driver he would often set up TOM-TOM even if he knew the route. I think he liked the reassurance of GPS and the advanced warning it gave but reading his friend Terry’s story perhaps it was just his love of tools. Richard preferred a walk with not too much up and down so that we could walk steadily around, converse and observe the views and buildings. After our walk we always enjoyed a pub lunch. Richard appreciated a quality pint and good food and service. He was best pleased when the price was right too. After the meal we would agree on a date of next walk. Richard was normally free on the suggested dates and only occasionally did he have a conflict with a Devon holiday or an Art exhibition. On meeting Richard I soon realised that he was a competent craftsman and DIY expert. He was always able to advise me on any project and was pleased to offer a loan of any of his tools. I have borrowed his tile cutting machine now on three occasions. However it took some time to realise that he was also such an accomplished and experienced artist. When he talked about going to his art class he gave the impression that he was just going to try to progress from the basics of drawing and painting. Neil, Mick and I will sorely miss our modest, gentle, gentleman friend and walking companion. graeme