For some years and no good reason I have been trying to recall a little verse I heard in my youth about a company of – call them estate agents, although they became far grander than that. The company was called Hillier, Parker, May and Rowden (now known as CB Hillier Parker).
Last week I mentioned this to my 86 year-old father who immediately rattled off the lines and then, never one to leave well alone, went on to compose an impromptu second verse. So here it is, or my father's recollection of it, (followed by that second verse) not because it is particularly funny, but simply because I thought it should be recorded somewhere and I could find it nowhere else. Please forgive my self-indulgence!

Hillier, Parker, May and Rowden
Walked one day to the top of Snowdon;
Hillier wearing a sweater of sorts,
The rest attired in shirts and shorts.
On reaching the top where the air grew chillier
All three wished they were dressed like Hillier.

Rowden, astride the survey marker,
Turned to face both May and Parker
And peering gloomily thro’ the rain
Proposed a vote to descend by train.
All four agreed this was far better
Than walking down and getting wetter.