Andy's knowledge of all things wild life and rural was to say the least the best. He was always ready to pass on his knowledge to others including myself. He introduced me to field sports including rough shooting. On one occassion we went across the fields near Fillongley and as we approached a small pond two ducks rose from the water. Before I even had chance to cock my shotgun the two ducks were dead on the ground. When we got back to the farm of the landowner and we told the farmer that we had been able to bag a brace the farmer told us that the ducks were his tame pets. Andy riley said " See Ian I told you to be careful of what you shoot". I was completely lost for words but we were soon laughing about the incident and Andy would remind me of it on many occassions.

Andy's knowledge of the law surrounding Firearms was again without boundaries which again he would pass on without hestiation. I can recall once when the Force announced an amnesty for the public to surrender unwanted firearms and a chap brought two shotguns into Coleshill Police Station for destruction. They turned out to be two very expensive Purdeys. Despite Andy's best efforts to advise the owner that they were valuable and that he should reconsider the chap left them at the nick with instructions that they should be destroyed. Andy and I took them to a gunsmiths in Birmingham and Andy alomost wept as the guns were cut up and thrown on the scrap heap to be melted down.

Andy it was a an honour and a privilage to work with you at Coleshill for many years. I have many happy memeories. Thank you. Rest in peaxe my old friend.

Ian