Graham's background was in engineering and mainly systems concerned with plant automation. He started work for Ferranti after a degree in Electrical Engineering at Salford University. He became a project manager but would rather have been outdoors enjoying the elements.

He tried every adrenaline hobby going, skiing, climbing, ice climbing, sailing, surfing, fast cars, free fall parachute, motor bikes, touring car track days, karts and photography. You name it and he had tried it. Most of them did not get you dirty ... and then there was mountain biking ...

Here is more information on some of his passions...

Graham died aged 48 on 9th May 2007; so he will never get old (well he never was) and his spirit now flies as free as a bird. My life has been enriched through knowing him, even though he was a 'bugger' at times. I wouldn't have missed my rollercoaster ride with him for the world. The text below is his with the photos added by me.

Paragliding

I've been paragliding for a while now and am AP rated and a a member of the Derbyshire Soaring Club and the Peak Soaring Association. Both these clubs cover the sites within the peak district area. I've flown quite a few gliders over the years starting with a Falhawk Neo, then Apco Supra, then Advance Omega III, Edel Sector, Edel Sector TX and am now flying a Gin Boomerang. I have also got an Avian Java (I'm CP rated on hangies) but work gets in the way of my leisure pursuits and the HG took a back seat this year as I went mad on my bike to try to get a bit fitter (ha!) but I enjoyed flying the java so much I intend to get back in the saddle pronto.

The peaks are lovely to fly but sometimes can get crowded so I have been to the Dales a few times (I'm a member!) and the Lakes who both have lovely sites (and beer). Anyway paragliding (and hang gliding)  is one of the best things I have ever done as its gets you out of the house, the people you meet are in the main "bloody nice chaps" and you can experience nature and our wonderful country from a fantastic vantage point. I'm sure everyone who flies has the same thoughts from the student to the most hardened comp pilot - In fact a few years ago there was a series of adverts in Skywings for Solarwings gliders and one I remember was over the White Mountains in the USA and it had the words " There are times in competitions  I cant help parking on a wingtip and absorbing the view and reminding myself why I'm really up there".

I cut the picture out and framed it as it says it all...

Flying is everything...

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Mountain Biking

If its too wet or windy to fly (quite often in this part of the world) then I like to get out on my mountain bike. The last 2 bikes I have had were Marins but they both got nicked!. I decided to go for a full suspension bike and have now got a Klein Mantra Comp which is great. I got fed up of replacing brake pads and have got Hope disks on the front and back courtesy of Wheelpro in Preston who did a great job with the wheels.

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Walking

So I suppose if really I cant go flying or biking then I do go out on the odd walk in the hills. Snowdonia has some great classic all day walks and scrambles. I have also done the Tour of Mont Blanc which was a brilliant walk, and also dragged myself up a few Alps.

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Photos

Throughout his life Graham took photos and loved new gadgets. Here are a selection.

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