Dad would have been ninety nine at the end of next month and I fully intend to add more of his works before that time. Life is mad until school term is over and then I will get down to it. I wanted to highlight one of my favourite images of the valleys – it is so carefully painted and the detail shows the deep fondness he had for his childhood days and the freedom of the mountain behind his home. Although dilapidated, the mine does not look sad and hopeless, but actually quite beautiful in a serene way. Love you Dad.xx
Graham Walsh 
I wrote to your sister on Friends reunited about your dad but that must be 15 years ago and I’ve scrapped several computers since, We were struggling to arouse any interest even then, I’ll quickly see if I can make contact here. I was in the same class as Alan Fayers until the 3rd year. I wanted to go in the Art group but maybe they had too many or they knew I was anatural engineer.
LikeLike
I did not think that my sister was on Friends reunited – are you sure it was not me? I do remember your name from somewhere!
LikeLike
Hello John – pleased to hear you are around after all this time. I’m having a great time and living in Gorleston-on-Sea in Norfolk we are about a two minute walk from a beautiful sandy beach. How are you? regards Alan
LikeLike
Thanks for the quick reply. I will follow this website with interest and I’m sure I will remember more anecdotes from those happy years – regards Alan
LikeLike
Dear Mr Walsh – what a wonderful thing Facebook is and I have stumbled on this today. Firstly what a great thing to do to put together all these splendid oils and sketches. I now know much more about your father. He taught me art which was my favourite subject at Watford Technical High School from 1958 until 1965. I took Art O and A levels so all 7 years were with your dad. I remember that he lived in Bricket Wood and I think it was quite near to the Black Boy pub. I remember him telling me about Ferndale and his time in Egypt during WW2 must have affected him as he always got annoyed with anyone (including me) for leaving a tap running as water was heavily restricted when he was in the desert. I lived in Perivale Gardens which is in Kingwood, North Watford and he always insisted on calling it Verypale Gardens! I don’t think I was his best or favourite pupil but with his help I managed to get two art prizes – one for a poster competition sponsored by Watford Fire Station and a second prize for Caran D’Ache in Switzerland (so this was an international competition). The prize was an Omega watch which I still have and 100 boxes of colouring pencils for the school. Most of the time your dad taught art on his own but during the last couple of years he was joined by Mr Maltman. I also attended one of his evening classes held at the Technical School and among other things made a pair of cufflinks. Didn’t he also design the purple blazer and badge for the WTH school uniform which was far the best in the town. He was an inspiration and encouraged me a lot. I went to Shrewsbury School of Art 1965-67 and then to Brighton College of Art 1967-70. Most of my working life was spent in the design, artwork and print for packaging industry and many were well known brands. But enough about me. I remember we spent a week during the summer holidays working on an exhibition for Nanterre – Watford’s twin town outside Paris. I didn’t even know that your dad’s name was Graham or that he had children, things were very formal then and it was inconsiderate to ask personal questions. After finishing at Watford we moved to Llandudno in north Wales and as we had also spent a short time in Kidwelly in south Wales – also inspired a bit by your dad. Apologies for going on a bit, but it was a joy to see this it has made my day/month! regards Alan Fayers
LikeLike
Thank you so much for leaving such a thoughtful and interesting message. Dad is still very close to my heart even though he died in 1988. I have such fond memories of the art rooms at Bushey Hall and have recently been trying to find out more about his war years and early teaching career as I was too young to have had those discussions with him before he died. Your anecdotes have really made me smile – particularly Verypale Gardens (exactly the father I remember!!). I am so glad that he had such an influence on your life and career he was a very special person.
LikeLike