This is not my story – it is a very short synopsis of my big brother Paul (given names Evan Paul Weston Slater, sometimes better known by his initials EPW), who died of bowel cancer in March 2010.

I saw and knew little of Paul until I was in my 30’s: he was 13 years old and away at school when I was born.  His school, to which he had won a music scholarship, was The King's School, Canterbury and our family lived in the Midlands.  After he left school he worked in London for a time (I understand that the 60's definitely swung for him), then went to catering college in Thannet.  He ended up working in the Middle East as a catering manager for many years through the 1970’s and early 80’s.  He met Alli, who became my sister-in-law, whilst he was out there and they ended up returning to England, where he bought a hotel in Sussex.

The hotel was Little Hemingfold, outside Battle – sitting in 40 acres with a two-acre trout lake tucked away in a wonderful setting.  He ran Little Hemingfold, which I thought of as his little kingdom, in a singularly eclectic fashion from 1987 until shortly before his death at the age of 64.  The food and drink were excellent – they were his main interests, along with cricket, horse racing, New Zealand (Allison’s home), music and trips to France (delicacies and wine for the hotel).  I owe my liking for Gigondas and Bourgogne Aligoté to him.  Other things he enjoyed were the company of his various dogs and driving very fast (usually in dreadful cars).  A postcard picture of Hemmie, his first dog, and the lake are in the gallery to this page.

Paul was originally quite stylish: I remember them attending the RAF Rudloe Manor Summer Ball in 1986, with Paul in a white dinner jacket, although later in life he became very casual and had to borrow a suit for our mother's funeral in 2005.  I wonder what he wore in the casket.

Unfortunately, although I worked at Little Hemingfold several times in the early 90’s, during leave when I needed a break from the RAF, after I re-married in 1994 visits became rarer – Paul was usually tied to the hotel, and Sussex was always a long way from where ever I happened to be.  We were not and are still not a snap-happy family, and the only photo I could find, me in the fore- and him in the background, was taken at his wedding reception in Felixstowe in 1984.

He was diagnosed with bowel cancer several months before he died, but the cancer appeared to be responding to treatment and his death when it came was both sudden and unexpected.

Although we were not often locationally close, we were extremely fond of each other and I have an extreme respect for what he did with his life.  I wish to do something to remember him by raising some money for this most relevant charity, although I think he would regard doing so by growing a beard as somewhat amusing.  What some of those reading this may find more amusing is the sight of me without a moustache - only the second time in 33 years.

I will post a photograph of self plus beard at the top of the front page on 31 December 2013 - POSTED - I have included two photos, as one has blue sky in it.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.  Last year I didn't circulate this page properly, and only received 'hard copy' donations: this year I wish to rectify this!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure - and the back-up service if you ever use this yourself is excellant! Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.