Putting my feet up!

murder of five-year-old Caroline Hogg, whose body was found beside a road in Twycross in 1983, by providing information about past weather patterns.

Robert Black was eventually convicted of her murder, and that of three other young girls.

“I’ve been asked to help out in the courts a few times, too,” he said.

“I remember one case in particular in the 80s when a driver was on trial for running someone over in Victoria Park Road.

“I provided all the figures, which showed there would have been black ice on the road at the time of the incident, and the person was acquitted.”

During his days with the city council, Dave played a part in designing a flood prevention scheme for the River Soar in Aylestone.

Dave has a book of weather observations for Leicestershire which go back to 1836.

“It’s fascinating to compare

SERIOUS BUSINESS: The former Mercury building in St George Street. Below, Michael Fish in his infamous ‘no hurricane’ forecast of 1987. Right, Caroline Hogg and Robert Black today’s figures with 180 years ago,” he said.

“For example, last month was the warmest January since 1921 – 99 years ago – it’s unbelievable really.”

One person who is pleased about Dave’s retirement is his wife Sue.

“Sometimes it’s more like I’m his secretary,” she said.

“I remember times when we would go out and he’d insist we have to get back to ring through the latest figures to the Mercury. There will be none of that from now on.”

Asked what the biggest weather event was during the last 38 years, Dave said: “It’s got to be the great storm of 1987.

“The one when Michael Fish got it all wrong on the BBC.

“That was a big one and I remember there being a lot of trees down around the county.”

He added: “I’d like to thank everyone at the Mercury, and the readers, for their support over the years. And you’ll still hear from me from time to time I hope.”