I should like to add my appreciation for \"Laddie\" Melsom on the occasion of his 90th birthday. It was his low key but sustained encouragement in the old biology lab overlooking the Back that took me into medicine and across continents in its practice.

Prof. Allan Brown
University of Michigan

How heartening to hear that one of my old mentors is still going strong. It was John Melsom who encouraged me to carry out a piece of research and write a paper for my \'A\' level Biology. I spent many happy hours delving in the Meres (pre-landscaping)for fresh water life. I\'m sure it was the only thing which got me the \'A\' level and allowed me to take up medicine a vocation in which I am still actively and happily involved 47 years later!