Charlie was born in Ashperton, near Ledbury, on March 26 1942 and was an only child. His dad worked as a lengthsman on the railways and a keen gardener who rode a Raleigh motor bike, which Charlie ended up with, keeping it running and taking it to shows to display. Christina (Tina) Dodd, who knew Charlie for more than 30 years, takes up the story. “His wife Margaret, who he married in 1966 was a childhood sweetheart. Her Nan lived next door to his parents. “They virtually grew up together because although Margaret’s parents lived in Worcester, Margaret frequently went to her Nan’s.