As with so many things in my life, it was Scouting that brought us together. It was the annual St George's Day parade in Grantham in 1956 (or maybe it was 57) and the scouts and guides paraded through the town before filing into the Finkin Street Methodist Chapel. Carol was chosen to read the lesson on behalf of the guides and I was asked to read the lesson for the Scouts.

I was smitten. And remained smitten throughout the rest of our time together. I found out where she lived, invited her out, and the rest, as they say....

We were married in 1962 and spent a week on honeymoon in Bournemouth. We were so broke when we returned that there was only enough money for one of us to catch a bus to work. So I walked.

It was not the only time we faced financial difficulties, but we survived them all and, in the end, even had money to enjoy.

I loved her very much, and was sad when it ended. But I choose to remember the good times: the challenges we overcame together; the homes we created together; the fun holidays; the joint friendships; and, best of all, raising two splendid sons, so beginning today's growing Kemp dynasty. I hope she died happy.

jk