Sadly, today, 14th July 2008, I belatedly received the news of Alan Ford's death. I am sorry that I could not attend his funeral - too late. I am from Accrington but live abroad. Obviously, the grapevine does not always work as fast as it should.

On hearing the news, I looked on the internet and found the obituary in the Accrington Observer of 9th May 2008.

It is a pity that nearly all the comments refer to the ominous 'Groves' contribution on 14 May.

Alan was a friend of mine, I am proud to say. He was what you would call a "real character". He was unique. He could certainly "tell a tale", as my mother said. Who cares if half of it was "embellishment"? Alan was so entertaining. You could hardly get a word in edgeways, once he was off on one of his "jokes" or one of his "stories", but dare to doubt it! My cousin David dared to doubt the Whitehouse/Clinton story and out came the Whitehouse china dinner service!

I'm still wondering about the story of the Queen at Townley Hall and the "dancing queen" story, but what does it matter? Alan entertained us, didn't he?

Alan was a good person. He was the one who had told me, years before, that mum could not manage on her own any longer, that things were desperately wrong. Consequently, Alan was the only non-relative invited to my mother's funeral. And what a funeral it was! Alan held court and had everybody laughing non-stop. I assured one or two more reserved relatives that mum would not have minded in the least that people were laughing. She hated "morbid" occasions. And that was the last time I saw Alan, in May 2006.

Alan, we will miss you.

Pat

   Alan... what a star! The world will be a much duller place without you.

   I'm surprised The Observer allowed J.Groves comment to be printed. To malign someone after death is a very cheap shot at the very least. J Groves surely has issues. Alan Ford was a extraordinary individual. I never meet another person like him. His uniqueness, kindness, friendship, elegance, creativity, and humor are only a few of the nice words friends have said about him. He never spoke an unkind word to or about anyone. All who really knew Alan Ford loved him. Alan a hoarder ? Humm ? collector would have been a better word. He was one of those people that could not let go of the past, had many possessions he just could not part with. He spoke of his historical acting job often on his visits to the states, how he loved England and all it's history. Alan was cherished J. Groves and will be missed by friends from all over the world. Sincerely John Pepin Massachusetts USA

   Alan Ford helped me at a difficult time in my life - as he did many others. He was someone who understood all about difficult times, though always had a heart full of happiness and laughter and big enough to reach out to everyone.

I'm one of a group of Alan's friends in Manchester - we'll always remember his kindness and joy. What a pity that, from the comments J.Groves made, he/she didn't know Alan as we did.

s.n.

   My heart is aching after the passing of Alan Ford; Robert Alan Ford as he introduced himself to me in Orlando, Florida, in 1966. I have spent many laughing and loving hours with Alan in Orlando, Boston, Tucson, and Phoenix. He revived the love of living wherever he sent. And what a shopper. A careful and clever dresser; he could put together knockout attire at Filene's Basement in Boston. Mostly I am grateful to Alan for his unrelenting affirmation of the beautiful, the delightful, the bright side of life. As a secular person I strive to find joy in the midst of this challenging world. Alan demonstrated for me that like "The Little Prince," joy is there for my making. Tom Reemtsma, Sun City, Arizona

   J. GROVES

As I was so angry at the comments made by J Groves, I accidentally wrote Glover. So that there is no confusion about who I have addressed my comments to, it is you J. Groves ! You have no idea how many people you have upset.

   I find J. Groves comments about Alan Ford disgusting. Anyone who had really know Alan could never say such things about him. Alan was one of the kindest people I have ever known and to have written in such a manner beggars belief, perhaps if J. Groves had really know him then parhaps he/she would have understood Alan's collecting habits and the reason behind them. At Alan's funeral the crowd who had turned up gives no creedence what so ever to Groves comments, in fact many who had turned out for the funeral had travelled many miles to attend. The comments about the Pearly Gates just goes to show what sort of mind that J. Groves must have. As to Alan's qualifications it's obvious that Groves must have type of mindset whereby they need written proof of everything that is said to them. Alan did have the qualifications he spoke about but he was also the type of man who did not, or need to boast about them. Just to touch on the point about Alan's collecting habit. Alan never took or stole anything in his life and what he did take was with permission always from someone else, in fact Alan was given more than he 'collected'. I'm surprised that Groves could find the time so soon after Alan's funeral to denegrate such a kind and warm hearted human being. J. Groves would be better suited in writing for the Sun Newspaper then that way he/she could vilify to their hearts content.

Brian Beston

   How dare J. Glover belittle and patronise such a wonderful human being at a time when his true friends are mourning his death. For your information J. Glover Alan or should I say Robert which was his real name, had 2 degrees and spoke 5 languages. How dare you profess to know a man that you clearly do not know at all? Would proof of his education be followed by an apology from you? A hoarder? No J. Glover, he just appreciated life clearly more than you ever will. Your comments are an insult to his life and the love that he shared with all. You profess to have known him for years......you do not.

   J. Groves,

I don't know how you could say you knew Alan for "many years, closely" and write that he was a charlatan! I am his niece, and I am quite offended that even after his passing you would write such things! Had you actually known Alan, you would have seen his story telling had embellishments, but what or whom did it harm? He told fascinating stories and you appeared entertained enough to write in, but failed to understand the true nature of Alan. I'm sorry you never understood the depth of his heart or compassion for his fellow man, and ability to brighten the day of perfect strangers. Alan was a rarity, and meant no harm by any of his stories. He was a collector of people from all over the world, and yes i have proof, and things as well. He died of a broken heart, the likes of which you couldn't understand. I, for one, will miss him deeply.

   I think it would have been more useful if Obituaries were researched FULLY before they are published. My family knew Alan for many many years, closely, and some of the stories he related were, to say the least, fables. He used to say he had had tea with a plethera of famous people...he had not.He would relate how he had a selection of qualifications yet never had a certificate to show.Alan was eccentricity at its most bizarre and to many people was a hoarder and "one of those Americans". Rest in peace Alan...assuming you're not stripping the pearly gates of their hinges and handles !!

   I was somewhat amazed to read the article about Mr. Alan Ford (Observer Friday 9th May 2008) Having been a close friend of Alan's over a number of years I was surprised at the way the story had panned out in the articel? Yes Alan did amuse many people in Accrington, but that was Alan's nature. What the article did not cover was the other side of Alan that only a few of us were priviledged to have seen. The words 'verbose' and gushy were as far from the truth as it was possible to get. Alan never used more words than was required and 'gushy' was a bit of an insult to the man. As a guest in my home I was amazed to find that Alan's niece did not even know about the link to Joderal Bank. If the Observer had ben willing to wait until Alan's family had announced his death in the correct manner then the Observer would have had many facts right and at a later date myslf and one of his friends had considerd contacting the Observer with the request that perhaps we could have had published a story about Alan and which would have shown him in his true light, and not someone that seemed to be portrayed as a court jester doing his turn on Accrington market. Alan truly took the people of Accrington to his heart and was proud to have known many of them. We have all lost a true friend with Alan's passing. But I consdier my self as having been fortunate to have know him and that his life has touched mine in many ways.

Sincerley

Brian Beston