A wonderful man with heaps of talent
Just occassionally you meet someone who is an inspiration to others…
I wrote a while ago about Alan Walford and his wife Jill. They were my constituents and put an enormous amount of time and effort into their local community of Drayton Bassett and were thoroughly lovely people.
Alan’s talent as an artist is mighty rare. Before he and Jill moved south from Staffordshire to the Cotswolds a few months ago he painted me a beautiful water-colour of County Buildings in Stafford.
A truly amazing feat because of a severe tremor in his painting hand as a result of battling ill health for years including a heart attack followed by strokes and other health problems.
He kept painting and even teaching others his amazing talent despite his own health challenges. But, above all, Alan has rarely been seen without a smile on his face, always outwardly happy and inspirational to all.
I decided that more people should see his County Buildings water-colour and so in October, just before he went into hospital for another operation, he and Jill came up to Stafford to witness his artwork being hung in the Shire Hall Gallery.
The County Chairman, Mrs Erica Bayliss, kindly hosted the event including a light lunch for Jill, Alan and the rest of the people involved. It really was fabulous and Alan’s character was in great spirits despite his declining health and the worry of his upcoming operation.
A few weeks later Alan passed away during his operation. An incredibly sad loss but what he leaves behind is the sense that almost whatever life throws at you it is possible to continue to do the things that are important and his story is an inspiration to others with serious health challenges.
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4 comments
Matthew, this is an extraordinary story and agree completely with your words. I must also say that the way you have written about Alan is in itself very inspirational. A lovely story and a rare one which really makes one focus on what really matters.
Having had the pleasure of knowing Alan as a friend and teacher I can only repeat the above comments, such a happy person who will always be remembered with affection as a friend.I still remain a close friend of his wife Jill who I love dearly.
Alan and Jill came to visit me the same day as his watercolour painting of County Buildings was presented at Stafford
we also new alan he was our art teacher. he was the best teacher you could have wished for, we talk about him alot and have fond memories of him and his lovely wife jill. and all the get togethers we had. we miss him so very much and think about him when we are painting .and we still laugh about the times we had .god bless you alan you are alway in our thoughts.
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