Born in Reading in 1953, Allan attended Bulmershe School. He joined CAMRA in 1972 and was an active member of the local branch. Had he realised it was an option, he would have become a life member. Owing to the white stripes in his hair, he was affectionately known as ‘Badger’. For two years Allan was the branch Social Secretary, prior to moving to York in 2007 to join Melissa, whom he subsequently married in 2008. After moving to York, Allan continued to help with Reading Beer Festival and he and Mel remained the Festival Beer Orderers until 2015, a massive undertaking. Allan became very involved with CAMRA in York, particularly with the York Beer Festival and the Branch Magazine. He paid frequent visits to Reading and was a well-known face in the local pubs and tap rooms, along with those in York and its environs. He also loved trains, having recently completed a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer as part of a journey around Canada. Other interests were hill walking, cycling and ski-ing, weekends away in a newly acquired camper van, and his extremely large record collection. Known for his catchphrases, “You should get out more”, “Stop it now!” and “That’s wasting valuable drinking time”, Allan died suddenly on 2nd July 2024, aged 71. He had a pint in his hand at the time, having spent the day helping to set up the Merchant Adventurers Beer Festival in York. Unfortunately, he spilled his Beer, which he would have hated, but would have been proud to have a death certificate giving the location of his demise as Brew York.