Meatballs

[Jigotai]

This is such sad news. Like others on AN I had the pleasure of meeting Alan at a couple of AN fishin's.

I am sure he will be sorely missed by his family and friends. Steve, please accept my deepest sympathy on your loss.

 

Andy.

[Chris Goddard]

I was not fortunate enough to meet 'Meatballs', but I know how hard it is to lose a loved one. And to this bloody insidious disease too!! My father passed not so very long ago then his brother an my Uncle ALL with prostate Cancer!!

 

May I take this opportunity to ask ALL members of this forum to PLEASE have the blood test to help and at least control this disgusting and entirely treatable scurge?

 

My thoughts are with the family. God rest his soul!

Edited August 24, 2007 by Chris Goddard

[Steve Burke]

Steve phoned me just after Alan died and I found it difficult not to shed a tear. Alan had been expected to live for some while longer and so the news of his death came as a bit of a shock.

 

As Steve inferred, Alan was an excellent angler and in fact broke the Wingham tench record. In his memory I'm going to rename the swim he caught it from "Meatballs". Then every time I walk past it I'm going to remember him with fondness.

 

Many of you met Alan on the last few Wingham Fish-Ins. Despite his declining health, Alan helped Steve run the BBQs this year. This was typical of both of them, always willing to do something for others. It therefore seems appropriate that we have a minute's silence at next year's BBQs in memory of Alan.

 

Not that he'd be easy to forget anyway. I'll always remember how Alan fought the disease with courage, and as Steve said he was determined to spread the message about getting regular checks for prostate cancer.

 

In fact, perhaps the best way of remembering him would be to remember to make that appointment with your GP!

 

RIP, Alan.

[poledark]

Lovely thought that Steve, a swim named after him

 

I had a litle chat with Alan at the fish in, and he seemed to have accepted the inevitable, and had come to terms with it.

 

R.I.P Alan,

 

Den

[Dick Dastardly]

Den said-"I had a litle chat with Alan at the fish in, and he seemed to have accepted the inevitable, and had come to terms with it."

 

 

That was the impression I had as well Den.I thought it very brave and in a way nice.I hope that I have that same calmness and acceptance when my time comes.

Edited August 26, 2007 by BUDGIE

[Tony U]

Alan was hoping to make the Test fish in at Timsbury this year, but obviously the illness took it's toll before we could even finalise the arrangements. We will dedicate the fish in to him and post details in the near future.

 

 

Tony

[Anderoo]

What sad news. I met Alan twice at Wingham fish-ins and he was a top bloke, a passionate and skillful angler and warm and generous with it. At the last fish-in he offered everyone a bacon sarnie and cup of tea as they arrived, which was very welcome after a long drive. A swim at Wingham is a wonderful tribute - he clearly loved the place.

 

RIP old boy.

[Rob Ward]

This is such sad news, it's a privilege to have met Alan at the fish ins. We were pitched next door to each other at this years event, we weighed and photographed each others fish and swapped yarns over a few beers.

 

One of Life and Angling's true gentlemen.

 

My thoughts are with his friends and family.

[wyeknot]

On behalf of Alan's wife, Lynn, and myself I would like to thank you all for the kind words and thoughts you have posted here. It has comforted both of us to know how highly he was regarded by his fellow anglers. Those of you who met him will know that he was not someone who blew his own trumpet and so I would like to include some of your comments in my tribute to him during his cremation service on Tuesday next. Please let me know if you have anything else you would like to add.

 

Once again - Thanks.

 

Steve C.

[Steve Burke]

Steve, I've asked Tony to say a few words before the minute's silence at next year's Wingham Fish-in BBQs. Would you like to add a short tribute as well, perhaps using some of the comments you've just referred to?