Still can’t quite believe it Dickie.

Was only talking to you a few weeks back about trying to get out fishing again… But I guess ‘thank you’ is a good place to start…

You were pretty much there on my first day in the EA coming up 16 years ago. Back when we were all a bit slimmer, fitter, and younger - kicking seven bells out of a football (and each other!) at Fleming Park after work. You were also in the team I joined as my first staff job after the Foundation Degree – Ops Tech Support. It was always such a great laugh. Your humour, wit, and just general way of being – never taking anything too seriously and always with a smile on your face – made you such a great person to be around. You’d still give me stick to this day for when I used to eat a 20-piece Indian selection box at lunch times! I’ll miss those little digs – they were part of the fun. From those early days I knew you were someone I would want to be around. A friend as well as a colleague.

We’ve spent loads of time outside of work fishing – on the boat or at a beach – to various levels of success (or usually lack of!). It wasn’t that long ago I brought my boys across to Hurst to catch up with you and Mike (and no fish!). They instantly took to you – you were just one of those people mate. Impossible not to like.

Then there was flood duty… We always seemed to get the pretty hairy ones! Only last winter it was me and you with it all kicking off on the Island… It didn’t matter what time of the day it was (providing I could actually get hold of you!) we’d always manage to work it out. And even at 3am, there was always time for a laugh and a joke about whatever was happening.

Going to miss you Dickie. I think everyone who had the pleasure of knowing you will.

Hope those lay-bys in the sky are a bit more peaceful than the ones around Portsmouth. Don’t worry about picking up the phone when we call now… We’re almost used to it 😊. Rest easy mate. Rob.