Waypoints

Alan Forsyth, was born in Wallasey, Cheshire, of Welsh land-owning farming stock, and Scottish/Cumbrian seafarers. After a false start in marine engineering, he joined the Recce Corps in 1945, commissioned in the RAC, the Queen's Bays. He studied Art at Liverpool, was commissioned in the Cheshire Yeomanry, then joined Vickers Supermarine initially in Technical Publications, then as deputy Chief Draughtsman, Chilbolton. Together with wife, Jennifer, he moved between aircraft and other engineering companies, until joining Furmanite in 1967 as part of a two-man operation, growing to more than 1,500 staff worldwide and sales of GBP50 million, meanwhile painting, illustrating and writing. Alan was awarded an OBE in 1981 and appointed DL for Cumbria in 1995. His poetry has been published by the University of Wales, Gregynog in 1992 and 1995. He and Jennifer have exhibited paintings jointly at Cirencester, Grizedale and Kendal Brewery Arts Centre.