I met Neil on the first day of our university adventure in Southampton in September 1992. He happened to be in the same accommodation block as me and Anthony (Fryer) was opposite me. Chamberlain Hall. It could so easily have been difficult for me to make friends with them both as they'd already known each other a long time. That wasn't the case. The camaraderie was instant. The banter was brutal and we never failed to laugh constantly. Neil's humour was dry, his wit instant. All delivered without a flinch, so you had to know him to know what he meant! And what fun it was. Without Neil and Anthony, my university experience would have been far poorer. Neil introduced me to many of his favourite music bands, admonishing me for not knowing the first thing about some of them when I was off to see them support another artist we both loved at the end of our first year. He loaned me albums that got me hooked and the three of us saw countless live bands together and frequented rock nightclubs I'd probably never have had the confidence to set foot in without them. There are so many amazing memories that I will always cherish, like the time we stopped for kebabs on the way home and suggested Neil eat lots of extremely hot chilis. Anyone else would have refused, not Neil. It is a regret that we didn't stay in touch regularly in more in later years but I'm very proud to have been able to call Neil a friend. Liz, he was a good one. No, a great one. I bet he made everyone very happy and I imagine there was a lot of laughter in your house. Hopefully there will be again. Ben and James, your Dad was a funny, sharp witted man who never took himself seriously and who was a true friend. I've no doubt those are values he held dear in later years too and that you'll carry with you always.