Alan Bowman remembers his dad and the man who became a professional and personal mentor...

John Peel

Alan's dad was a strong willed radical who did metal polishing at a time when there was still heavy work in the Clydeside area.

The great lesson he taught Alan was 'You can have what I have - if you don't use your head.

He was very competitive for his sons and wanted them to become sportsmen. In fact Alan's brother did make it as a professional cricketer, and Alan himself got to county level in football. But for Alan the problem was that there was no congratulation, no reward for the achievements they had made. When Alan passed his 11-plus, it was his mum who bought him a bike.

After school, Alan didn't fancy university. Instead he joined Customs and Excise, and later moved into banking as a salesman. He moved to Newhaven and rarely saw his parents. But this was the start of a new relationship.

John Hayman was a 'go-getting, positive guy'. Together they got involved with a group of people who formed a committee to 'get things done'. Their motto was to never mind the ego just get stuck in. So whether shifting a pile of rubble, or getting the Concorde off the ground - you put the same enthusiasm and determination into the job. Other lessons Alan learnt then were equally valuable: 'do as you would have done to you' and 'show appreciation'.

John Hayman and Alan's dad have both since died. He thinks his Dad was proud of him but never actually expressed it, though his mum has been consistently positive. But John's impact has been huge. Having put his children through private education, Alan has taken pains to praise their achievements, and he says through this appreciation he is showing his love.