Paula and I are sorry that we cannot be present today as we are visiting our son and grandchildren who are living in Iceland but we will join online.  We are so sad at Stewart’s unexpected passing.  My condolences to Louise and all Stewart’s family and friends.

I first met Stewart during my first days at Manchester University in 1969 and together with Bob, Pete and Martin we established a firm and longlasting friendship. As students do, we enjoyed ourselves partying playing sport, especially football at Owens Park our hall of residence and walking in the peak district. Following our finals, Bob, Pete and I joined Stewart on the trip through Europe all packed into his mini. I can remember tobogganing down on a plastic bag at the top of the St Bernard Pass, teaching Bob to swim in Spain, getting the time wrong in Rome as we didn’t realise that they had moved a further hour ahead.

After graduating we shared a house in Burton Rd in Manchester.  Stewart joined Tootals, Bob started teaching in Macclesfield and Martin and I continued as post graduate students.  We were there for almost 4 years.  It was a fun time and we got on remarkably well.  I did the shopping, my specialty was out of date cake, that was reduced, which together with custard went down well; Martin did the washing up; Stewart did the cooking which he enjoyed and was good at and Bob the washing up.  Debbie also joined us in the house.  We had some amazing parties in the cellar which we had cleared for the purpose. It was in Manchester we met our future wives.

Jobs took us south with Stewart and Louise settling in Barkham, Bob and Cath in Yate just outside Bristol, Pete in London and myself and Paula in Hampshire.  However, we continued to meet up holding rotating dinner parties in our homes at least every 3 months.  The host cooked the main course with the guests bringing the starter, pudding and cheese. Stewart indulged his forte for cooking and always produced something slightly unusual and different, whereas sometimes we had to disguise the fact that the starter or pudding had come from M&S.  Living close to London allowed Stewart and Louise to continue their passion for the theatre, which had started in Manchester with the Royal Exchange.  They were members of the National Theatre which they regularly attended and there were the many galleries and museums that they visited and the many varieties of restaurant which they enjoyed together.  There was also a small theatre called the Mernier in Borough Market, located in the basement of what was once Chocolate factory, where Paula and I regularly joined Stewart and Louise for the matinee and then went out for dinner together.  We always left the choice to Stewart who we knew would come up with something exceptional. Stewart enjoyed travelling both for work and with Louise and visited many places across the world.  Stewart and Louise were very knowledgeable especially of music from the 60’s through to the contemporary and across all genres.  As you from Barkham would know this was put to good use as editor of the Barkham Newsletter.  And especially the quiz, you were not the only ones to puzzle and ponder over the answers, he also tried them out on us. Finally, there was his garden which he was very proud of especially the vegetables and his collection on Cannas. Some of us have cuttings and they are on our patio now and just beginning to bloom.  A reminder of Stewart and the good times we spent together.

John & Paula