Wolfram Bruno Thome, a popular local character who had a long association with Nelson, died suddenly in Killarney, Irish Republic, on 3^rd February last. He was 50.

          Born on 12^th February 1955 in the village of Ringsheim, his family was one of the oldest in the Black Forest, and as such entitled to wear the inherited mediaeval costume at the annual Fasching carnival.

          After his sight problem was discovered at the age of 8, he was educated in blind schools and educational institutes; and as a teenager was drummer in The Rattles. After leaving school, he worked as a DJ and sound engineer at Sudwestrundfunk, a German radio station, and on Canadian Forces Radio Stations.

          Although registered blind, Wolfram overcame this handicap so well that most people never knew. He refused to use a white stick, and rode a solo bicycle – orienting himself on the white lines at the side of the road. He was interested in the local music scene and encouraged many budding karaoke singers and groups, recording them in his front living room and producing cds of outstanding quality for them to send to agents.

          Wolfram first came to England in the 1970s, living in Barrowford with his first wife Janet and son Jamie. He worked for Tosneys the flock dyers and also for Bob Gillibrand of Pendle Marquee Hire. He was a prodigious weightlifter and proud of the fact that he could raise the centre pole of the marquee on his own, a job that normally took three men. He was also active on the martial arts scene and the friends he made there will remember him. His local for many years was the George and Dragon, Barrowford.

          After the breakup of his first marriage he met and married Valerie, and they made their home together on Regent Street, Nelson. They became famous both locally and nationally with their many tv appearances – The Real Holiday Show featured their cycle trip from Nelson to the Black Forest in 1995; Married Love was a Channel 4 series about the different ways couples ran their lives – and there were appearances on Granada, Men and Motors, and radio talks hosted by local man Phil Smith, on Radio 4 and Radio Lancashire.

          Wolfram, who learnt gardening skills from his grandfather, ran three organic allotments in Nelson, founded Pendle Organic Gardeners with his second wife Valerie, and helped many gardeners with advice and practical help. He was the "Couch Potato" who featured in the Muck and Magic articles in the Nelson Leader between 1989 and 1995.

          He loved birds, and at one time had upwards of twenty budgies wheeling around in his kitchen, among tree branches and nesting boxes. A pair of cockatiels joined them, producing their own regular broods.

          In later years, Wolf, as most people called him, took an active interest in the local rock music scene, playing his electronic drum kit or guitar in local venues. He was part of The Downhill Dudes, with Nigel and Paddy, and often played at the Irish League, the Bull, and other venues.

          In 2003 he parted from his second wife, and in July last year moved to Killarney to start a new life. He quickly made many friends and became part of a church community, where he was working to train other blind people in the life skills he was so good at, and was looking forward to starting an IT course and a massage course in the summer. He was also beginning to feature on the Irish music scene, and was recording local artists. His new friends are devastated by his loss, as he had already become so much a part of their lives.

          He had a traditional Irish funeral on Tuesday 7^th February, with a lying in at O’Shea’s funeral parlour, a walking procession through the streets of Killarney, a service and reception at the Methodist Church, and a wake at The Laune pub.  Cremation took place at Dublin.