This thread has been started to allow people within the forum to pay their respects to Mike Simmonds, who sadly passed away.
Mike passed away on the 13th of May at 08.15 with his wife Sylvia and his daughter Susie at his side.
When the forum page has been fixed, appropriate tributes will be added by Scylla and others.
Richard B
Sincere thanks to Fergus for "being there" in our hour of need, as I cannot start a new thread, or use Rich Formatting, Edit or Quote. I can hear Mike guffawing at me. I received the sad news of Mike's death from his widow, Sylvia, by email, she asked that I inform you all as she would be informing personal friends. I will add to this thread with a more visual tribute... when possible. Mike will be sorely missed for so many reasons.
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EDIT Friday, 19 May
Here is our Mike - I found the picture via google when he'd been absent for longer than usual and I knew he'd been ill, it was published in a local newspaper when he was battling Barclays Bank about broken interest rate promises (they didn't stand a chance!).
I sent the pic to Mike "please confirm this is you" and he did "where the heck did you find that?!", and he sent me this one in his birder gear:
Mike lost his wife, Lynn ("Linnie"), a couple of years ago, then chance brought him in contact with a girlfriend from his youth, Sylvia, and here he is with her and his daughter Susie and husband:
Sylvia lives near Rutland, she tells me that they planned to live part-time in her home (in the Osprey season, I bet!) and part-time in Mike's, and she will continue to spend time down south with Susie and her family.
Mike had had a difficult time caring for Lynn thru her decline, when he was not in good health himself - what a blessing the fulfillment that came afterwards.
We miss you, Mike
IMAGICAT
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr