Dear Pat, I"m so sorry to hear about Derek passing away. YOu ('Roro' the name Geordie used to call you because you sang 'Row row the boat') and Derek are imprinted in many happy childhood memories of mine when Carol would bring me, Geordie (and perhaps Tom?) to visit you in your lovely house near Oakham. I found visiting both of you and exploring your house so exciting and i'm certain you made sure it would feel special for us before we arrived. You treated us The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe which was v. exciting as we weren't allowed a VHS player at home. I also remember making badges with Derek in his 'badge room' although i can't picture any of the ones i made but it was the process, making them with him that i found so magical. He was very patient with me, seemed to take it very seriously and so i felt so lucky to be allowed to use his very high tech badge-making equipment! I also remember you treating me to wine at lunch (i think it was peach sparkling juice or something) and you used to say ''Now don't tell your parents we've given you wine!" (I must've been about 7 or 8 - so i'm assuming you weren't in fact plying me alcohol. Perhaps you were all along..?! No wonder i had such a great time!) I also remember coming to a bonfire night and firework display i seem to remember being in your garden or perhaps the field next door... Another first for me! I burnt my finger on a sparkler id dropped having picked it up at the hot end, but i was SO worried if i told anyone i would be made to go home and NOT be able to sleep in the bunk bed you had prepared for me? (WAs this right? Did you have a bunk bed??) Anyway, as soon as i heard about your loss i wanted to share these happy memories of mine with you, Derek and Carol in Oakham as there are very special to me. I'm just so sorry you have lost him at such a strange time when precious time grieving with your loved ones is so difficult. I hope that when you are reunited it will be all the more special and I hope in the meantime you are receiving much love and support in all the incredible ways we can now communicate without actually being with one another. Much love Violet xox