In reply to UKC News:
Shocked to hear this news. I barely knew him, but he left a big impression. When we lived opposite Eric’s cafe at Tremadog, he was an unmistakeable presence with his Union Jack hat and loud running commentary as he attempted some desperate route. Only 17 and already a contender. Bless him.
He was dossing in the barn and flat bloke. Shan, feeling maternal, made him a meal, and then I, feeling paternal, took him for drink at the local. Though bold and brash in many ways, he was also approachable and considerate even at that age. Almost the young man you’d want your daughter to marry.
On the one route we climbed together (after a photo shoot at Craig y Forwyn – he was canny at self-promotion), he hardly bothered to place protection, romping up in a couple of minutes then coaxing me up on an embarrassingly tight rope. At the top, there was no hint of condescension. He was just happy to share his joy of being on the rock.
As with several people on UKC, he briefly reconnected via correspondence from Australia, and almost 40 years later that same generosity of spirit shone through. Bless him.