People   (Re-unions, trace old friends and relatives.)

Hello Bryan.; I trust it is the same Bryan I knew in the early 70s before you moved away.
Before I introduce myself, I have to say sorry that I can’t help with your former acquaintances. I wasn’t at the Grammar but knew a few people there and I’m perhaps a year younger than you. The only person I know that did really well was Dominic Liptrot who is owner of Lost Art; classical work in furniture, metalwork and buildings, etc. I worked with him on projects in Mesnes Park during the HLF funding project. I also knew Mike Hill, Raymond Greenalgh and Walt Tolly who may have been the same year perhaps. The 3 were good friends but I’ve lost touch – sadly Walt died a while ago – I think it was drug addiction; very sad as I always remember his smile and had no idea he had become an addict. Raymond got into photography and I think he was doing OK. Mike moved away somewhere!
I’m John (we knew each other) but back in the days of the Market Hotel, Tech Club and FAG at Newtown you would have known me as Dylan (my nickname) – I was close friends with Custer (Tony Meadows) and Tash/Toshak (Chris Ashcroft). I haven’t seen Toshak for about 15 years and last saw Custer about 3 years ago… his wife died and I’m told his health hasn’t been well since then. You had a sort of Indian/Oriental goods little stall at the music venues.
Bryan; I have followed your career with great interest- in fact my son Rory went to one of your conventions and got a signed copy of one of you magazines (I think a Luther Arkwright). It is nice to know that your persistence to promote your art and wonderful (often historical) storylines has proved very favourable. I have a few of your works including ‘Alice in Sunderland’ which is an absolute classic. Anyone unfamiliar with your work should really peruse it as it combines wonderful illustration with a very entertaining narrative – often gleaned from historical events or general life concerns.
I guess you knew people like Chester, Jim Brady, John Markey, Kenny Neil, Petal, Stan Mapson, Kenny Young, and of course Colin Cooke landlord of the market who always called everyone ‘sir’… etc. some now departed.
Bryan – during covid lockdown (I was unfortunately imprisoned at home due to health vulnerability) I wrote 4 books; my offering of a tongue-in-cheek sci-fi related garden design manual (Percy Thrower Forgives The Dalek) gives a reference to you in my early chapter – ‘setting the scene’. These days I mainly work as a consultant for historic parks and gardens – with some graphic work and some landscape design occasionally; still trying to find opportunity to continue writing.
Please keep in touch Bryan if you care to – admin will let you have my email. It would be great to reconnect.