Andy Davey
28-09 2020 00:22
wrote:
Nick and I lived on the same floor in our first year at Surrey Uni in 1988 with 12 others drawn mostly from across the UK but also from overseas. The personalities were diverse, but Nick stood out from week 1. Not just because he was tall, witty and didn't suffer fools lightly. But also because in Freshers week he caught a black eye from a riposte that "Acid John" didn't find so witty. Nick was always a legend from thereon in. As can be expected, so many great memories of a first year at uni. Two special memories of Nick: 1) our floor trip to the ram where Nick was first to cave to toxicity of the cider cocktails (I'll spare the lurid details); 2) end of term and skint, Nick blags a sheep's heart from the butcher's, boils it with some rice and serves both doused in ribena (blackcurrant cordial) which is all he had left in his food cupboard. I can remember it as if it was yesterday.
Over the next four years, our friendship grew but in isolation of others. We each had our own group of friends which we didn't mix but we would spend time together. He would accompany me to watch my favourite small time bands in London, Marquee, Borderline, Dingwalls to name but three. With his height, he would help me flypost in areas of Waterloo out of reach to the average cleaners so the stickers survived a decade. And in our final year, our rooms faced each other over a green - so we would often just chill out when we weren't in the mood for wider company. And indeed both came back early from the Xmas vacation when hardly anyone else was around.
After we graduated in 92, we somehow reconmected after a few lost years via social media. He came to stay with me in Guildford sometime in the late 90s and took me on a night out in London (first time I tried virtual reality). We stayed in touch over the years via social media but never hooked up again. Something I now regret. I love my memories of the time we shared and even though I hadn't seen Nick for years, our correspondence felt we shared the same affection for each other we always had. I am gutted we won't get the chance to meet again on this planet, kick myself for not making a trip to see him but so grateful for the times we did share and the precious memories I hold.
Finally, if anyone can shed light on why when he was in France in his industrial year, he woke up alone with a dog lead and collar I would be delighted for the mystery to be solved ...
Andy Davey
28-09 2020 00:22
wrote:
Nick and I lived on the same floor in our first year at Surrey Uni in 1988 with 12 others drawn mostly from across the UK but also from overseas. The personalities were diverse, but Nick stood out from week 1. Not just because he was tall, witty and didn't suffer fools lightly. But also because in Freshers week he caught a black eye from a riposte that "Acid John" didn't find so witty. Nick was always a legend from thereon in. As can be expected, so many great memories of a first year at uni. Two special memories of Nick: 1) our floor trip to the ram where Nick was first to cave to toxicity of the cider cocktails (I'll spare the lurid details); 2) end of term and skint, Nick blags a sheep's heart from the butcher's, boils it with some rice and serves both doused in ribena (blackcurrant cordial) which is all he had left in his food cupboard. I can remember it as if it was yesterday.
Over the next four years, our friendship grew but in isolation of others. We each had our own group of friends which we didn't mix but we would spend time together. He would accompany me to watch my favourite small time bands in London, Marquee, Borderline, Dingwalls to name but three. With his height, he would help me flypost in areas of Waterloo out of reach to the average cleaners so the stickers survived a decade. And in our final year, our rooms faced each other over a green - so we would often just chill out when we weren't in the mood for wider company. And indeed both came back early from the Xmas vacation when hardly anyone else was around.
After we graduated in 92, we somehow reconmected after a few lost years via social media. He came to stay with me in Guildford sometime in the late 90s and took me on a night out in London (first time I tried virtual reality). We stayed in touch over the years via social media but never hooked up again. Something I now regret. I love my memories of the time we shared and even though I hadn't seen Nick for years, our correspondence felt we shared the same affection for each other we always had. I am gutted we won't get the chance to meet again on this planet, kick myself for not making a trip to see him but so grateful for the times we did share and the precious memories I hold.
Finally, if anyone can shed light on why when he was in France in his industrial year, he woke up alone with a dog lead and collar I would be delighted for the mystery to be solved ...
