When the Southgate and District Birdwatching Circle was formed in March 1956, Tom, aged 20, was its ringmaster. Previously, he had taken me, a 12-year-old, under his wing, showing me good places to watch birds in north London – travelling on his Lambretta scooter. Most notably, he introduced me to the importance of systematic and accurate note-taking, something that has stayed with me ever since.