MOST fellows of his age are happy to grab for their pipes and slippers and settle down in a comfy armchair.

But not fearless Fred Pugh, who, at the age of 74, is more likely to be found pony trekking, globe-trotting, white-water rafting or riding, bare-back, on huge, swaying elephants.

After a lapse of several years, Fred, once a regular contributor to this page, has put pen to paper to report on his all-action progress.

And he's also picked up on my recent piece about the time when Romany, one-time radio favourite of millions of pre-war kiddies, visited St Helens.

Fred, from Prescot Road, has apparently been out of sorts recently but is now making a steady recovery. He has not been able to ride his horse, Sarason, for some time. "However, I still attend the stables to look after him and hopefully will be back in the saddle very soon."

He adds: "Since last writing to you, I have been pony-trekking in Iceland twice, been riding on a New Zealand sheep station and five times been out to join the cowboys on a ranch in Wyoming."

The spry little pensioner rode in the Rockies, herded cattle, visited a rodeo and went white-water rafting.

His energy positively takes the breath away. For Fred last year crammed in a visit to Zimbabwe on an elephant safari deep into the Bush. "This was indeed exciting and I saw many different kinds of wild animals while sitting astride an elephant in horse-riding style.

"And without the benefit of a box-like howdah atop the noble beast it certainly brought tears to the eyes, says Fred. "But at least it all keeps me out of mischief."

Fred has another interesting string to his bow. "I still do my ventriloquist act," he reports, "and have been booked to do two nights in an old-time music hall show at a little theatres in Scotland in September."

Turning to the Romany topic, Fred explains that he still -- after about 60 years -- has the autograph of that famous Children's Hour performer.

"He was, in fact, the Rev Bramwell Evans, an ordained Methodist Minister who lectured, preached and broadcast on the BBC. He came from gipsy stock, one of his ancestors being the famous Victorian evangelist, Gipsy Smith."

He visited St Helens at least twice during the early 1940s, says Fred. This was at the behest of the Rev Verney, then superintendent of St Helens and Prescot Methodist Circuit.

Many elderly St Helens folk will remember the enormous Wesley Methodist Church which stood close to the town hall in Corporation Street. "It held 1,000 people," recalls Fred, "but Romany had no trouble in filling it. He was a first-class orator, holding his audience -- both young and old -- enthralled with his stories of the world of nature."

The multi-talented Romany, who was also a fine pianist, introduced a touch of the Rolf Harrises to his talks, makiing rapid sketches on large sheets of paper, concerting these into amusing caricatures and cartoons.

For the children of that time, the highlight of his address came when Raq, his faithful dog, was brought on at the end. "On one occasion Raq rushed into his maste''s arms, knocking over a glass of water. The quick-witted Romany looked at the water running everywhere then exclaimed: 'I always thought that Raq was a Methodist, but he's apparently a Baptist!'"

OF such simple incidents are childhood memories built. Thanks Fred, and keep on cantering!