Like everyone who knew Nick I have been thinking about him lots over the last few months. reflecting on his life and the memories I have of him. I do think Christmas is a time we remember our cherished friends and loved ones even more so and sometimes it is very difficult to still believe they aren't with us in the way we would like anymore. I know Nick will be with us in some way this Christmas and I will be thinking of him and the Boxing Day times we had for many years. Pictionary, Taboo, Articulate, Jenga - they were all games we used to love playing and bantering over! So I'd like to post this with my thoughts to Ann, Paul, Candy, Tim and the children, I'll be lighting a candle for Nick at Christmas and will be raising a glass with Mum and Helen on Christmas Day.
'Merry Christmas Nick, we all wish you were still here - keep up the cheeky banter' love Sarah
*Earlier in the year Candy asked me to post the words I spoke for Nick, here they are:
"When Ann asked me to speak today I was most honoured….I have made a note here on her request to try and make people smile. Because despite the sadness we all feel there is so much to Nick’s life that should make us smile…there are so many friends and loved ones who would love to speak today so thank you for asking me to share a few memories of the early years Ann and Paul.
My first memories of Nick are of the golden boy next door when we lived at Angela Close Martlesham. My sister Helen would also play with Nick and yes there are certainly some cute photos of the two standing in the paddling pool (with their sun burned cheeky faces) ginning in the 1970’s summer heatwaves. Later when Ann and Paul moved to Beech lodge after a short stint living in Nazing the paddling pool play evolved into the swimming pool years.
Nick was such a kind person and this is homage to Ann and Paul as they are and always were so kind making Helen and I feel welcome at their home and putting up with the screaming splashing and pool chaos over the years – so many lovely times were spent with Candy and Nick. The pool at Beach Lodge certainly was a party location and no doubt lots of you today will have fond memories of the times spent with Nick here.
Ann and I were reminiscing of the parties on the phone recently and Ann did remind me of Nick’s 21st party at Beech Lodge – I’m sure lots of you can remember it well and I would like to say I do too – the reality is I think I spent most of it up at the breakfast bar chatting and drinking far too much Fosters larger…much to Nick’s amusement the next morning I do recall. Despite this I do remember the laughter, fun and friends enjoying outside and the odd splash when someone was most probably pushed in the pool – a back drop of splashing, laughter and music…
When I think about Nick some of memories certainly involved music and in deed he had an eclectic taste. In our late teens when just about driving Nick jumped in the car with a cassette and was full of enthusiasm as we were about to head into town. I remember so clearly him thrusting a cassette into my hands and saying you have to play this Sarah…it was Blue Monday by New Order and he just raved about it all the way. Another memory was when Nick had returned from a holiday one year and had bought back a Gypsey Kings album – for all my years whenever I hear ‘Bambalaya’ I always think of Nick.
So many good times remembered - Candy and I playing Nicks TVR set and Lego, Billiards, watching Nick play snooker, hearing him run through the house shouting ‘CHELSEEEEEE’ when watching the game with Paul!! The family visits to our caravan at Felixstowe, growing up in Martlesham and later our family boxing days spent together for many years…a celebration of food, friendship and board games….
With a tear in my eye but smile on my face I will crank up the Gypsy Kings and stay off the fosters when I think of Nick he was a true gentleman and will be sorely missed.
Sarah
20th December 2021
