Frank Farland is the father of twins Bess Farland and Nell Farland, usually nicknamed Port and Starboard. He is also "Uncle Frank" to Tom Dudgeon. He is the sole parent of the twins, with help from his neighbour Ella Dudgeon and Mrs McGinty, their housekeeper. The twins sometimes refer to him as A.P. or Aged Parent (CC17) Frank Farland lives in Horning next to the Dudgeons. He is the skipper of racing yacht Flash, with his twins Bess and Nell as crew.