Last year was the 40th Anniversary of me starting work with Cheshire at Padgate Library.
I had accepted a temporary post to cover maternity leave at the brand new Dual Use Library based at the High School.  I believe Howard had only just moved himself not long before.
It is no exaggeration that the short period of time I had at Padgate was to change the course of my life personally and professionally.
Having started as a Branch Librarian in Barnsley I expected to work on the public side but Howard had other ideas and I started working with local primary schools delivering Library Skills lessons, which involved meeting with Headteachers.  Little was I to know that this would set me in good stead for my future role at the Education Library Service. It also changed the course of my career and I stayed in Education.
Howard, I think, had more faith in me than I had in myself. He was so pleasant and easy to work with and always had a smile and a chuckle. I loved my time working there. I still have the note he sent me when I left, as it meant a lot to know my work had been appreciated, but that was him.
We lost touch for some years as Howard progressed – as I knew he would. I was so pleased when he came to my “leaving do” and we met up again. Apart from the moustache he hadn’t changed. It is so good to have friends like Howard that just fall back into place.
He enjoyed his holidays and telling me about his family and becoming a Grandad and he still supported Padgate Library.
I will always remember Howard as a kind, generous, happy person who will be very sadly missed.  Lesley (Simons)
The photo shows Padgate Library and New Town staff in 1982.