Tributes paid to Spalding businessman Alan Porter

The family of a prominent businessman has paid tribute to the difference he made to the local community with fundraising and sharing his love of sport.

People from across the country will be saying their final goodbyes to Alan Porter, who has passed away at the age of 88, during a funeral service in Spalding tomorrow (Wednesday).

Alan was a well-known face to many as an estate agent, auctioneer and market trader but he also raised thousands of pounds for lots of good causes.

A life-long cricket fan, he shared his passion for the sport with the next generation and launched a festival for youngsters with learning difficulties.

His daughter-in-law, Helen, paid tribute to Alan. She said: “He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was a businessman who did a lot for the community.”

Mr Porter, who was born in May 1935, was one of seven children and grew up in Dowsby.

He attended Morton Primary School before achieving a place at nearby Bourne Grammar School and, upon leaving, worked for Mr Pickworth at Dunsby.

A Tottenham Hotspur fan, Alan played football for Dowsby alongside his brothers Charlie, Noel and Tony.

When the time came for National Service, Alan signed up in Lincoln and served a total of seven years – far longer than the legal requirement of 18 months.

He served in the Royal Army Service Corps in Hastings as a Lance Corporal.

Alan clearly stood out to his officers who gave him a glowing reference that praised him for being a ‘hardworking and reliable man who had plenty of initiative’. It goes onto say: “He has constructive ideas of his own and capable of intelligent application. He had a pleasant and cheerful personality who mixed well with others through honest and sober habits.”

During this time, Alan took up boxing and went on to represent the army in not only that sport, but also cricket.

After leaving the army, he became a market trader, selling toys to Spalding youngsters and their families.

But in 1977, while walking down the town’s Red Lion Street, he met his soulmate and fellow trader, Angela Newton, who weeks later asked him out for a drink.

The couple were together for more than 40 years – with Alan buying Angela six red roses every week – and they set up AP Sales. Sadly, Angela, who had also made a big contribution to the community by serving as a councillor for decades, died last year.

Another love of Alan’s life was cricket. A regular at Trent Bridge, Alan was on first name terms with many players, umpires and well-known stars.

His daughter-in-law Helen, who has thanked Barry Porter, Geoff Hastings, Carol Hudson and Rotarian Barry Elliott, said: “He wanted children with learning difficulties to have the chance to be involved in playing cricket so he launched a festival and invited the local schools. He was also a member of the Fred Trueman State Schools Cricket League. This was a leading cricket competition with 1,650 children playing in 2023.”

Alan also served as the chairman of Spalding United Football Club and a trustee of the Johnson Hospital Centenary Appeal along with helping to raise money for a scanner at Pilgrim Hospital.

He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Spalding Welland.

Alan died on October 24 at Field House Residential Home in Fleet. He had four children: Karen, Julie, Claire and Andrew along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will take place at St John the Baptist Church, Spalding, at 10.45am tomorrow (Wednesday, December 6), at 10.45am. This will be followed by a wake at Spalding Constitutional Club.