I have to report the sad news that Dr F. R. (Raymond) Allchin died on Friday 4th June. Obituaries can be found on the websites of the Times: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article7146240.ece and the Ancient India and Iran Trust: http://www.indiran.co.uk/. Valerie J Roebuck Manchester, UK