I bumped into a pal the other day. He’d similarly bumped into a mate of mine - clumsy, aren’t we - who’d described me as a 'character'.

It made me think of all the characters I know. They always have a tale to tell, don’t they?

I love going on the market. Some flowers from Jamie and Dave, fish from Tony and crew. The other morning the banter was wicked, including the artist formerly known as Harry. All of us at it, no malice, just good honest banter.

Nowadays, you do hear: “where have all the characters gone?”

I just love them. Peter Hobkirk of sewing machine fame, Wally’s lad, Howard Talbot with decades of taking photographs yarns, Peter Butterfield, former Lancashire Telegraph editor with journalist stories from the 1960s and 70s, guys and girls who have been in education, construction, the Law, the licensed trade, health, local government, the Police, clergy, retail, industry and commerce – all with great stories and the ability to tell them and not always just the once!

Peter B retires soon – again! Whilst working in South Wales, Peter once recalled how Phil Madoc and actress wife Ruth, of Maplin’s fame, got a real life divorce. Thus the headline “Bye di Bye”!

I respect all these characters well and with great fondness. They are good at watching, remembering, relating, perhaps mimicking, all happy to take the rise out of someone else and take any reciprocation - Good raconteurs!

Tell us your story...please.