Do you remember James Robertson?

James Robertson sang the role of Dulcamara in the 1994 Duchy Opera production of L'Elisir d'amore and we have recently (Nov. 2014) had contact with him. He was a very heavy smoker in his younger days until one day while visiting a farmer (James sold seed) he left his car at the end of the long farm drive and unfortunately while inside the house the rains started so that the walk back left him rather wet. Once back in the car he needed a cigarette, only to find he had left them with his lighter, on the farm table. The prospect of another walk in the rain was too much and James gave up smoking, but, by then, the damage was done.
He retired to Scotland and in Jan. 2012 was diagnosed with lung cancer and in April 2012 had a pulmonary lobectomy.  James was one of the lucky 9% to survive and as a thank you to Macmillan Cancer support and research generally, he celebrated his 80th birthday by climbing Schiehallion (3,600 ft) in Scotland. He had been attending exercise programmes at Dundee University's Institute of Sports and Exercise in preparation and because he had made such a good recovery made headlines in the local press and appeared in a video and on Scottish Television News. Says that never happened when he was a singer!  
We thought those of you who remember James would like to hear of his success.   

John and Margaret Hobbs.