THE dictionary defines the word affable as ‘pleasantly easy to approach and talk to; friendly; cordial; warmly polite’, while giving an example of its use as ‘an affable and courteous gentleman’.

Meeting Harry Herbert, no matter what the circumstances or occasion, and you will understand that he was the person the compilers had in mind when they came up with the definition. A man for whom the top hat was surely invented, he does manage to wear a number of different hats and with great ease.