In 1961 I first met Harold at St Paul’s Youth Club, Monton, Eccles. I was introduced to him through my best friend at Winton High School, Gwyneth Sheridan. A few weeks later he asked me out and our first date was to the cinema in Eccles where we watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s. We had to walk there and back (about 3 miles), as there was a thick fog and no public transport was running.

I learned that Harold and his younger brother, Malcolm, had been adopted when he was about 10 years old, by the Heywoods who could not have any children of their own.

From 1961 we remained close friends. I started work as an office junior at Slater Heelis (Solicitors) in Greater Manchester.

Harold took up a post at Bangor University as an improver apprentice in the horticultural department. We regularly wrote to each other and sometimes Harold was able to visit, especially when he was home visiting his mum and dad Heywood in Monton.

In 1966 Harold applied for the three year diploma at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, and to his great surprise – following what he reported to be a very harrowing interview – he succeeded in securing a place. He often would say “I owe so much to Kew, Kew gave me the opportunities I could never dream of.” He never lost that gratitude all his life, it really meant so much to him.

I decided to move to London in 1966, and met up with Harold often. We decided to share a flat together at Church Street, Twickenham. We would often walk the path from Twickenham to Richmond at weekends and talk of our future plans once his diploma course had finished.

Harold and I were married in 18th March 1967 at Monton Methodist Church, Eccles.

In 1969, having successfully secured his Kew Diploma – of which he was enormously proud – we reluctantly left Twickenham and moved to Teeside, North Yorkshire. Whilst there Harold took up the post of a technical assistance in the Parks and Recreation Department. We lived in a tied cottage, number 10 West Side, Nunthorpe Village, near Middlesborough.

In November 1970 our first son Julian David was born.

In June 1972 we left Teeside and moved to Warrington. Harold (always ambitious and wanting to improve himself), secured the post of deputy to George Crowder who was the Chief Officer in charge of Warrington Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries.

In August 1972, our second son, Lee Graham was born. We lived in a beautiful old house within Walton Hall Gardens, called ‘Bridge House.’ George and Eileen Crowder lived in the annex of what we called ‘The Big House’ which had been home to the owner of Greenhalls Brewery.

In June 1982, we left Warrington, and again Harold took up the post of deputy to Geoff Schofield, who as the Chief Officer of Parks and Recreation at Bolton MBC.

Whilst in post Harold diversified and was in charge of a number of initiatives including Bolton Show, Bolton Marathon, The Butterfly World at Queens Park and the introduction of a small gauge railway and carriage rides pulled by shire horses in Moss Bank Park.

He was also in charge of the inception of the ‘The Water Place.’ a new leisure facility in the heart of the town centre which was opened by HM The Queen and Prince Phillip.

Harold took the reins after Geoff Schofield retired, and he became Acting Chief Officer for two years before taking up a newly created post as manager for the Halliwell Action Team – a multi-agency drop in for Bolton MBC.

Harold retired from Halliwell Action Team, but felt he was not yet ready for retirement and secured the post of Deputy Manager at Age UK, Bolton, under the leadership of Gareth Evans. Harold also managed the Learning Centre, Farnworth. It was at this time that Harold completed an M.Sc Growing and Learning, Action Learning and Research at University of Salford. Harold was a great believer in continuing personal development. He was often involved with the tea dances and lunch and leisure clubs, which he really enjoyed.

Harold finally retired in 2012 but felt as though there was still a challenge left in him, and formed BAAS, Befriending & Adult Autism Support. A charity which supported families impacted by autism.

In 2020 Harold and I were awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Services, the citation reads “Working to improve the lives of families impacted by autism in Bolton.”

In 2021 Harold and I were awarded the British Empire Medal. Harold’s life was a life well lived, he was someone who made our world a brighter place. BAAS is his legacy, he took a great deal of pride and joy in his achievements, a living lasting memory and grateful hearts of all those he helped and supported.