I am sure the people of Mixenden can thank Colin's family too, for allowing him to spend as much time as he did with our offsprings, as their loss was certainly our gain in Mixenden at that time.

Although he was a paid worker his dedication, not only with the young but all the people living in Mixenden, took him into different directions of involvement in the community.

Today I could count on one hand, as there are few to none, who would either attend a meeting or do anything without getting paid for the good of the community.

Colin didn't bother. So for me and my children, people like that deserve our full admiration.

I am sure, if it hadn't been for Colin, many of our kids at that time could have fallen by the wayside.

Colin constantly strove in battles over funding, to make sure that our centre had plenty of interesting activities to keep the kids off the streets.

He was easy-going, firm but fair, full of fun, a man with a real vision of keeping youths off the streets and out of trouble. Let's hope the community centre will find some way of keeping this man's name alive, maybe a project once a year that could raise money in his name for today's youth.

Mixenden indeed was truly lucky to be graced with a man so dedicated to the young. He did it with panache and a true dedication.

H Terry