Biography Page

Toby's sister Mary has sent through the following memory of Toby aged 2:

"Hi,

I remember my brother in the summer of 1971, when he had just turned two. He used to sit out in the sunshine with our Dad's dad, who was called Pop, who was incredibly old - or seemed so to us at the time. He was in his eighties. Toby had a special bond with Pop, as very young children often do have with old people.

Toby used to sit in his chair and Pop used to sit in his deckchair, both enjoying the summer sunshine, and Tobs would chirp away for hours to his Grandad, who would answer with the occasional comment or grunt. They never tired of each other's company.

As you can see from the photo, this was the heyday of Tobs white - haired halo period, he was a little cherub. He was also, even at this early age, confidently commanding the camera lens as well - note the direct, earnest look!

This was the same summer when he used to carry bees from the front garden to the back garden, in order for them to get together and smell flowers . He would carry carefully and slowly, talking to them all the time. They never stung him, until one sad day, he tripped and the startled bee stung him. As Simon said in his speech, Toby was sorry because he had hurt the bee, not the other way around.

Love

Mary"