Getting to know... Richard Halling

Richard Halling is a former Dacorum and Tring councillor, winning and serving as an Independent. A resident of Tring for 50 years, he enjoyed helping to organise the Tring Donkey Derby, bringing crowds and celebrities to the town.

What is your favourite food?

Anything my wife, Pauline, cooks.

What’s the most played song on your iPod?

What is an iPod?

Favourite quote?

One of many I record and refer to: ‘Money--there is so much that you need, the rest is for showing off.’

Favourite thing to do to relax?

Debate and discuss.

What is the one thing you hate the most?

Sheep-like mentality.

If you could have 5 famous people for dinner – past or present – who would you pick and why?

1. Twice-Prime Minister Winston Churchill – he was a patriot with backbone.

2. Anti-apartheid revolutionary and former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela – to teach forgiveness.

3. British actressJulie Christie – wouldn’t any male?  4. London mayor Boris Johnson – to enliven discussion.

5. Stand-up comedian Peter Kaye – to amuse.

If you knew the world was ending in 2015, what would you do differently?

Gather my family, and sit and wait.

If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be and why?

A future free of greed and want.

What was the last film you watched?

Paddington – the 2014 cinematic adaptation of the Peruvian bear with a penchant for Marmalade sandwiches, directed by Paul King and starring Hugh Bonneville and Nicole Kidman. – but All the President’s Men (1976 American political thriller) and Babe (1995 film adaptation of Dick King-Smith’s children’s novel The Sheep-Pig) will reward detailed consideration...

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

Trying to pick up water with a fork.

What’s the best or worst gift you have ever given or received?

Worst gift – anything mechanical.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A footballer, a vet, the Prime Minister, a benign dictator. I’d have been good at the last.

How would you like to be remembered?

On balance that I did more good than harm.

What is your favourite thing to do or place to visit in Dacorum?

Tring – enjoying the reservoirs and canals.

We want to Get To Know many more people from Dacorum – if you want to be featured in this very slot, email over your answers to our 14 questions along with a few lines about yourself, where you live and a photograph to [email protected]!