With thousands lining the streets to pay their respects and police outriders leading the route, it looked like the send-off of a much-loved local hero. And to those who were prepared to see past ...

Thursday nights speaker was Brian Topping, a retired customs officer who spoke about the “world of mules and minders” which surprisingly had nothing to do with a local donkey sanctuary!

He was repeatedly reminded of this by his minders, who chose the facilities he visited. He picked his subjects—though sometimes the minders would argue the person was too ugly, old, or unkempt.