I moved into Wellington Road in 1972 and met Nigel who lived at the end of the street shortly after. Yes a dreaded Manchester United fan but someone to play football with all the same and we would play for hours and hours on the green outside his house. Well, actually, outside the Robson's house (Paul and Peter) using the lone tree and some jumpers as the goal. Not just football but any game we could think of, one of our favourites Rin Tin Tanny, using the lamppost as the home base. It seemed like Nigel would spend half the year in wellies and half the year in bare feet when he wasn't playing football, or cricket or tennis. Wimbledon week, we would head over to the hospital and sneak on the nurses club courts with anyone that had a racket. Football was our favourite and I recall playing 2 a side against Marvin Johnson (went on to play for Luton) and Andrew Wells (golf equipment entrepreneur). Nige and I would always win!! I recall his sisters really well, Sam mad about horses, horses and horses...... she would be trotting around the green on anything that could represent a horse and of course his little sis Clare, gymnastics crazy. Nige was uncomplicated, inoffensive and super friendly, we were good friends for many years as young lads. Nige introduced me to Scouts, 1st Aylesbury down Oxford Road. Mr Rolf was the Scout leader, I think he worked at Westcott with Nige's dad and hence why we would go there. Our parents took turns at giving us lifts. I remember our first serious camp down in Cornwall and Nige and I built a bivouac (tent made of ferns) that we had to spend the night in to get a badge. We also did our first expedition on the camp with Nigel Crimus and one other, can't recall his name. Our favourite things at scouts was Hare and Hounds up in the woods at night and the 5 a side game at the end of the scout meeting. As you do, Nige and I grew apart for a few years and then we met up again in 1995 at Chiltern Forest Golf Club, we were both members and had more time to play as we both found ourselves single. Most weekends for about 4 years Nige and I (and Rob Brown) would be playing golf and going out drinking in town. Starting in the Vic Club, then onto a variety of places, Chicago's, Rectory, The Bell, The Weavers to name just a few. I think it was 1996 when Nige met the lovely Lorraine, the woman that would change his life and give him the family he always wanted, just like his own. Lorraine was amazing and very tolerant which was just as well, Nige had strong views about the way he would operate his life and his family's. Nige would test her patients at time but they were great together. Fortunately, Lorraine was laid back and allowed Nige to come out drinking still. Golf remained an important pass time for Nige, but as the family came along Nige started playing at first light so he could be back with them. Nige was a real family man. Nige and I played in the Vic Club golf singles final, 6th October 2001, I still have the scorecard up on my wall to this day, we both played brilliant golf, Nige level par after 9 and me 1 under, great day! The other picture I still have on my wall is of Nige, Rob and me at the pyramids in Egypt. We went on a lads holiday to Ayia Napa in our 30's and realised that we were too old for it and went on a cruise excursion to Eygpt to take up some of the time. We also did a day trip to the Troodos Mountains while in Cyprus, 13 hours in a bumpy land rover with a massive hangover is not recommended. Not surprisingly, I asked Nige to be my best man (I know Rob, don't mention it!!!) he did a great job, fittingly complimentary with the odd embarrassing storey. I moved abroad and then returned to live in Shropshire and so we haven't seen much of each other of late, but that didn't lessen my sadness at the tragic news. Nige was a decent, fun, warm family man that would be only to willing to lend you a hand if needed. Great memories. Thank you big man!! Will never forget you!