Alan Oliver memorial

[SJFAN]

Just seen the info about the memorial service for Alan:
http://www.bsja.co.uk/news.html?newsID=645

 

[Jiffy]

I know where that church is - it's very close to where I used to live. I wonder if he was local to there too?

 

[SJFAN]

I was curious about the location. He was originally from Bucks, and for the last few years was living with the Rawdings who are near Leighton Buzzard. However I can't remember where he lived with his 2nd wife, Alison (trainer of Princess Anne in the late 60s and early 70s) or with his subsequent partner. Is it a big church do you know?

 

[Jiffy]

I haven't been in that church, but used to cycle past it & through the village regularly. It certainly dominates the skyline...giving the village Churchill its name, but it may have a high spire.

 

[tarzipan06]

Random bit of info my mum used to compete against him in juniors and he used to have a fab pony called Thumbs Up. F

 

[SJFAN]

I have his first book. He writes that Thumbs Up was a wonderful pony but not an easy ride because he was so sharp. In 1947 they landed a treble of the main junior titles, Windsor, the RIHS and the National.

 

[tarbra]

I first met Alan Oliver in the early 1960's. He was a lovely man always willing to give you tips, and he always remembered my first name even though I only bumped into him occassionally over the years. He was one of the greats, who will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Linda