Tony.
Tony and I first met at the SITB /Training Centre in 1971. From memory there were around 50 -55 of us that would get to spend a year full time learning the basics of yacht & boatbuilding. We were divided up into smaller groups to gain the basic skills and Tony and I were in the same group. We would also attend the Technical College together for day release and would continue to do so for the four years of our apprenticeship. We were fortunate to have good tutors that understood that as youngsters we obviously would push the boundaries having fun whilst learning the skills we had been sent there for. We did have lots of fun.

After finishing college/our apprenticeships we did not see each other so frequently but never too long before meeting up.
I rolled my van over and needed to push the roof/windscreen pillars back out into shape. Tony was only too happy to help and that was much appreciated by me as was the humour whilst doing it!
I was fortunate to be invited to Tony & Carol’s wedding in Sholing and always smile when I drive past the church and if I have a passenger with me will always share the moment with them.

I had a narrowboat in my garden for a while (a long while…) and it had a rather large two-cylinder diesel engine that could only be started by hand. It was in fact a ‘two handed job’ as one person had to stand in the bilge with a foot either side of the engine (me) and turn the handle as fast as they could whilst not banging arms/elbows on the cockpit floor bearers. The second persons job was to ‘throw’ the decompressor levers over (Tony) but, of course he would wait until I was beginning to tire, and then do it which often meant that I couldn’t keep it spinning and my ‘arms and elbows’ did indeed get banged around before we had another go and eventually get it running. We would leave it running for a while (air cooled) and sometimes have a cup of tea on deck whilst recovering (me from exertion him from laughing). Once or twice a neighbour walked around to check what was happening and then seemed to ‘tip toe away…

I had a call from Tony to check that I had a towbar on my car. He wanted to buy a damaged repairable bike and would hire a trailer so we could go and look at it and bring it home if he purchased it. The bike was in Scotland! We left late at night and were sat outside the shop early morning waiting for it to open. He bought the bike but… We were not done yet! He wanted to go to Newcastle (well Morpeth I think) on the way home to pick up the original paperwork/handbooks and bits & pieces from the owner of the bike. Whilst there the lady of the house would not let us go until we had had some sandwiches! We got home eventually, and Tony was quick to repair the bike to his usual high standard.
I was involved with another couple of motorbike purchases and when given the choice to drive his car home or ride the bike I always chose the car! I thought that Rover Vitesse was like a Rolls Royce!

I was very honoured to be asked by Tony to drive he and Alison to the church in his Range Rover. I wasn’t too sure which was the biggest honour (though Alison insists it was the RR). I was required to undertake a little driving assessment with Tony from my home around the local area to familiarise myself with the vehicle which seemed to be going okay until I elected to reverse into my drive (which I always do) as he always drives in and backs out! But I passed and was assigned the duty of delivering Tony & Alison safely to ‘the church on time’. It was obviously a ‘no pressure’ event… I will always remember/cherish the picture in the rear-view mirror of them both and the running commentary of helpful ‘mind the kerb’, be careful at this junction, mind the cattle grid drive slowly to the church! We managed!

These are just some of the wonderful memories I have of Tony over the 40 years of friendship.
Tony was the most loyal, thoughtful and helpful friend – he will be desperately missed by me and many, many others too.

JB