What a sad loss for the nation were the recent deaths of Emlyn Hughes and Fred Dibnah.

These two characters gave a hundred per cent in their chosen professions.

Emlyn, one of the few footballers to represent his country over three decades, put to shame many premiership players who expect a loyalty bonus after five games.

He never cheated on the public or his team mates and represented everything good about the English game.

Fred's various television series over the past 25 years brought the steam preservation world to a far wider audience and fired the enthusiasm of many.

He was always entertaining, had great knowledge of the fast declining British industry and was truly proud of his country.

They both deserve their place in heaven but I suspect Fred, with his ability with furnaces, might make himself available for the other place.

-Roger Paxton, Upper Beeding