I was born on 5th December 1934 in the Helm Chase Nursing Home in Kendal. I was named Francis — `Franky' for short. Why? Because that was my mother's father's name; and also because St. Francis of Assisi was, at my baptism, declared to be my "patron saint."
My middlenameis "Nigel" (which means `Black'). Why? Becausethat was my father's stage-name; and because I was born with a pitch-black thatch of hair. That later turned light brown in colour. In other respects too, my prenatal dedication as above by my mother — was answered. Ultimately, I did indeed end up in the service of the Lord — and, by His inscrutable grace, ended up becoming the spiritual `father' of my own parents!
