"I feel lucky, and whether you are a believer or not, let me explain my reasoning:

I am lucky because I was able to build a great relationship with Paddy during my education and then beyond.

I am lucky because I am here today remembering and celebrating the life of someone who had such an inspiring impact on many people here today.

I am lucky because I have been able to build up many memories of a shy, 11 year old, full boarder in an all boys boarfing school, in 1974, for 7 years, which was daunting, painful, difficult at times, with occasional homesickness bit also an exciting time, allowing me to embrace new world challenges and receive an education second-to-none. At the time, the prospect of being away from my family (from being an 11 year old in the junior house, to Head of School in 1981) was a daunting one, Paddy was instrumental in my elevation to that role - he must have seen something!

I am lucky because I was probably, with my best buddy Algy Garrod, the last pupil to see him alive when we arranged to see him fro a few beers at his farmhouse, 43 years after leaving the school and enjoying an Adnams with him.

So you see, I am lucky and privileged.

Paddy was an  entertaining, compassionate man, who took great interest in people, was calm under pressure and respectful of others, although he had some very colourful language.

He loved Adnams, took students on legendary tours of the brewery and shared post match refreshments in his flat, were all endorsements of his passion and devotion to Langley School, the pupils in it and the friendship he shared with so many of them.

Paddy and I both joined Langley in 1974, I was 11 and he was just 24. We shared a similar passion for football (he loved Bristol Rovers, and for myself the Canaries) and he basically introduced the game as part of the competitive games fixture list in the 78/79 year at Langley and look where it is now!

Hs passion for classic cars was always apparent, as when we met him, he still drove his Austin A40 to the pub, that day we saw him.

His sense of humour got me hooked on the author Tom Sharpe 'Wilt' series and also 'Blot on the Landscape' - even years later when we met agin he was still suggesting books - this time George MacDonald Fraser and the Flashman novels!

His memory had always been top drawer and he remembered all the pupils names from every year he had been at the school, especially the sports teams, as we flicked through an Old Icenian Magazine together.

So as you can see, I hope, I was lucky. Lucky to have been at Langley, to have met people that would have such a profound and long lasting impact upon my life; lucky to have been 'recognised' by Paddy as someone who could be a leader; lucky to have shared passions and novels and beer with him and lucky to have known Bill Moss.

Paddy, Rest in Peace"