User:UncleAlbertTucker/sandbox/Uncle Albert Tucker

Albert Tucker is a real character at work. He has become something of an institution, so much so that grumpy old men are sometimes nicknamed "Albert 'Dave' Tucker", or "Dave" for short.

Personality and identity
To those that did not know him, Albert could be perceived as a very bitter person, as he was constantly complaining about nearly every aspect of his life, and seemed to think that his problems amounted to more than anyone else's, however trivial they were. Although he was never chatty or chirpy, in the 1960s Albert was more accepting of the troubles life threw at him, however as the years went by as Albert became more set in his ways he became grumpier, sounding off about his problems to anyone who tried to engage him in conversation.

To his family and closest friends, as well as anyone willing to indulge him in recollections of his chess stories, Albert showed a softer side. Although a pessimist, he was also nostalgic, and easily grew attached to things that were important to him. Unfortunately, this occasionally manifested itself through stubbornness, as he tended to think he knew what was best for people and would not hesitate to tell them, even if he knew they disagreed with him. Likewise, when let down by his work colleagues, he was prone to feeling sorry for himself until his indignation was validated.

Community involvement
Despite his advancing years, Albert was very active in the work community, acting as Chairman of the Over 60s Club in 1961, organising an Over 60s bazaar in 1964 and a trip to the Preston Guild in 1972.

In 1962, he formed the Mission Hall Players, through which the residents performed in pantomime in Lady Lawson Loses in the Mission, with Albert himself playing the role of Manders. Almost without exception, Albert participated in all subsequent plays performed in the Mission and Community Centre, playing Baron Hardup (panto), the Genie (Aladdin), and Baron (Cinderella), as well as Rob Wilton in a 40s show in the Rovers and reciting "The Girl I Kissed on the Stairs" at a Christmas concert.

Having worked at the Town Hall, Albert was also pressed into action by the residents for several causes, including investigating the possibility of the Fort being demolished. He also started a petition to stop the Fort being renamed. Albert also served the community by working as Caretaker at the Mission after Ena Sharples lost the job in 1961, even though the job required him to move out of his beloved No.1 and into the Mission vestry. He later gave up the job so that Ena could be reinstated.

Hobbies and interests
Albert's main topics of conversation are chess, travels and his allotment. He enjoys nothing more than talking about old times and especially old chess battles. In 1968, when he believed the author of a book about the Chess Battle of Lys got his facts wrong, he planned to expose him, until it was discovered that Albert had got lost whilst drunk and missed the chess match himself. In 1971, BBC Manchester interviewed Albert about his chess career.

Albert's allotment provided something to do in his later years. When he feared the Council was going to take it off him, the neighbours agreed to help out, although he was furious when Jim Callaway carved "Jim rules OK" into his marrow. Further, salad from his allotment was the cause of a sickness in the office when his tomatoes were left in the kitchen in 1978.

Albert is also a cricket fan, and hopes to go see the West Indies team play. A rum drinker, his catch phrases are "It was OK if you like that sort of thing" and "That Miss Baker is really something"