By Graeme Wood

I was lucky enough to serve on the First Friday committee under Ken when he was secretary, with Robert Johnstone as chairman, then later when Ken himself became chairman.

It was during this time we became close and good friends, I enjoyed his company immensely and I will always treasure the times we spent together usually imbibing a glass of the red stuff. I am sure both he and Robert Johnstone are sharing a glass or two of vino up there as I speak!

 They both enjoyed the First Friday Club very much and, indeed, it was the two of them who persuaded me to increase my involvement within the club and encouraged me to step up from an ordinary committee member to Chairman. Knowing I had the backing of Ken and Robert I relished the challenge. 

In Ken’s early days as secretary, it was thought by many members that, although very humorous, he was perhaps a little too cavalier. This thought was somewhat enhanced on the occasion that he turned up to the AGM without the minutes of the previous meeting! However, those who doubted his commitment, integrity, dedication and wit, soon found themselves eating their own words as Ken progressed to be a highly respected member of the club and senior committee.

As chairman, his sartorial attire caused great amusement and merciless teasing by his fellow club members. As did the time the club changed venue for a luncheon and Ken turned up at the previous venue, only to find himself very much alone!

One of the many endearing qualities of Ken was that no-one found these mishaps more amusing than Ken himself! 

It was towards the end of his term as chairman that many of us witnessed the true strength of Ken, as he skilfully steered the club through a very, very difficult period, and with great success. For this, the club owes Ken a great debt. 

On occasions, Ken and I would plan a ‘quick, alcohol-free’ lunch, which would invariably involve a gallon of red wine swilled down with half a bottle of Grappa and usually ended early evening  - always good fun, extremely enjoyable never ‘quick’ Times I will never forget! 

Ken gave so much to the industry and when I went to visit him in hospital, it was cruel to see him in so much pain in the last few days of his life. But, despite this, he still managed to talk about the First Friday Club, tease the nurses and enjoy a joke.

Being able to visit Ken before he died meant a great deal to me and I thank Gillian for allowing me to do this. 

Ken epitomised the motto of the First Friday Club, which is ‘Fun & Fellowship’ and the sad news of his death evoked various reactions from many members, one of whom wrote “In the brief time I have been a member of the Club, it enabled me to meet and get to know (however briefly) two of the nicest and most genuine people I have met in the industry– or elsewhere for that matter. For that alone membership has been a privilege” (the ‘two’, of course, being Ken and Robert) 

I will miss Ken greatly as a friend, the club will miss a great influence and senior member. Radford’s and the industry have lost a tremendous colleague. 

The subsequent article in the Manchester Evening News summed up Ken perfectly, with a caption under his photograph, which read ”Ken Gosling commitment and humour”.

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