So many great memories of growing up with Paul that it’s difficult to articulate them all, but here’s a few that come to mind -

Denmark Hill - football in the garden, it was usually me (the elder cousin) and Toby (the younger brother) vs Paul, not sure why, I guess Paul was quite independent even back then. One day Paul had been bought a new pair of trainers, which he didn’t particularly like, but me & Toby hatched a plan to let Paul win at football, whilst wearing his new trainers, in the hope that he would have a change of heart and would embrace his newly acquired footwear. Plan worked a treat, sorry Paul, that’s the only game we ever threw - honest!

1984 Majorca - Paul & Toby joined the Simpson family on our holiday to the Spanish Island. Bored on the beach, me (aged 14), my sister Liza (12), Paul aged 12 (just) and Toby (9) decided to take a small Pedalo boat out to sea, after all, that tiny island in the distance didn’t look too far away!! We were sure we could make it, problem was I think it was only Paul at this time who was a competent swimmer, so we were going to be heavily reliant upon him! Two hours later, my mum and dad appeared…. with the lifeguards boat & crew in tow, and a full sea rescue ensued. Apologies D&D if you weren’t aware of this Majorcan ‘adventure’ and also to Millennials reading this incredulously, but we were Gen X kids and could be pretty Ferrell at times.

I think every summer between the late 1970’s and mid 80’s I spent at least a few weeks with Paul & Toby, either at Denmark Hill, then Sevenoaks Park Hotel, or, more often, my home in Sunninghill Ascot. We played out until the lights went out, football, football and more football, bikes, 1-2-3 in, Superstars (our version of a sports star game show of the time) and then, of course, there was ‘SuperStriker’ - the greatest table football game of all time, which we all became duly obsessed with. Paul & Toby were known by everyone locally and we truly had some idyllic childhood days. Days that will stay with me forever. I wish I had known Paul better as an adult, like I knew him in childhood, but lives are busy and time flies by so very quickly. I know how well loved and respected Paul was and I know too how much he will be missed. I will remember him always ❤️

Spencer