John had the loudest laugh I’ve ever known. He also knew what was important in life. Kindness, picknicking with goats on Sundays and Gin. Lots and lots of Gin.

Meanwhile back to the Apple tree. Many years ago John spent a Saturday afternoon teaching a small boy how to plant a sapling apple tree. “When will it have apples Mr. Porter?” asked the small boy. “I don’t know Danny” said John “but you’d better check it tomorrow “. A very tired, grubby small boy ran home full of tales of how he and Mr. Porter had planted a tree together.

The next morning the boy ran up the lane to check the tree and ran home with eyes full of wonder. “There’s an apple already - there is - there really is.

And true to form John had gone out that night and tied an apple to the tree to delight a small boy. Incidentally the “boy” is now 53 and still remembers that magic weekend with a smile and just recently a few tears and so do I - the boy’s mother.

John, thank you for being you.

Sue & Dan