Dave Higson has left us

[Croft]

Dave Higson Memorial Fund

Peter King has suggested making a really nice memorial plaque for Dave at the MCC Goyt site - jointly from MCC and all his friends. The Goyt site was where Dave started his canoeing and he was a huge contributor in the realisation to the present MCC Club House - amongst other trojan work for MCC over the years.

If you want to contribute please e-mail: higgysmemorial@manchestercanoeclub.org.uk for further details.

Any remaining funds will be used for a charitable cause - possibly to promote disabled canoeing - further ideas welcome.

To date (18/03/09) the fun has raised £1864.50 - the fund will be closed at the end of March.



Dave Higson has passed away and his funeral took place on 17 January 2009. To those who were privileged to know him, Dave was a mountain of a man, an example and an inspiration. The world will not be the same place without you Dave.

Dave was Chairman of Manchester Canoe Club for many years and was involved in numerous classic expeditions all over the world and including the first descent of Coruh and lots lots more.

Sincere condolences to Laura, Maeve, Lily, Bert and of course Bob the Dog, all the family, and all those who are suffering coz they knew and loved him.

Please add your outrageous (or indeed serious) Dave stories in fitting memory to this great man.

[Croft]

One of Dave's earliest brushes with the law occurred during the Manchester Canoe Club (MCC) New Year's Walking weekend in about 1974.

As a result of mass raucous behaviour in the Traveller's Rest (Glenridding) the totality of MCC's finest were evicted from the pub during the pre-match warm-up sing-song for New Year's Eve. Once the pub floor cleared and the dust settled, the distressed landlord noticed several dominos missing from his cherished set. The police were called and the crack and ruthless Lakeland domino detection unit were kicked into action - "if them dominos dont reappear sharpish somebody is going behind bars". Several top ranking officers of MCC were interviewed by Mr. Plod but the fate of the missing dominos remains unsolved to this day.

It is widely believed that only 'Fingers' Higson knew the true answer - so this mystery has gone with you Dave.

Compared with some of Dave's later 'brushes with the law', this one was quite tame, but should maybe have been seen as a warning sign of things to come.

(somebody else can do my stag night)

[davebrads]

Dave is the paddler that I looked up to when I started paddling, and has remained one of my paddling heros to this day. (My other hero is still alive, and active in this forum, so I won't mention who he is)

A couple of months after I started paddling I went to the Serpents Tail slalom. The course was causing problems for some of the top paddlers of the day, but Dave did it all backwards, without missing a gate, and getting a time that beat many.

I was never one of his closest friends, but I knew him well, and felt priviledged to do so.

Condolences to Laura, Maeve and Lily.

[Richard King]

Very sad passing of a paddling legend and a wonderful guy.
Dave made a huge impression on me when I started padding, I well remember the warm up sprints at many a marple slalom where Dave would generate huge tidal waves as he blasted up and down the top pool pre run.
I know I cannot begin to do him justice - a warm man, fantastic sense of humour, great character and great paddler, a priviledge to have enjoyed his company on and off the water - RIP and sympathies to Laura, Maeve, Lilly and Bert.

Rick

[jw]

I only saw Dave a couple of times in the last few years, but his warmth and friendship were just the same as 30 years ago.
A real gentleman with a good sense of mischief. I think he had the knack of both leading me astray and quietly looking after me in equal measure in early Manchester CC days - and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Dave leaves lots of friends all over the place that will miss him. Our thoughts are with his family.

Johnny Guitar


Great picture, Ian

[ElliotK]

I only spoke to Dave once or twice but he definitely had a strong yet playful presence about him. I am sure he will be greatly missed at Marple and I will always remember him as the man who could complete a slalom course backwards faster than my Dad could forwards! My thoughts are with his family.

Elliot

[Dave Manby]

As I rang round friends breaking this sad news one friend made the comment through almost audible tears. "Shit that will leave a hole", which really in a strange way sums it up.

Mountain of man is another comment made in this tread - yes but don't sit next to him in a packed minibus when he exposed those armpits!

[gaw]

Dave was an inspiration, along with a whole group of paddlers a few years older than us, when I was paddling in the '70s. Even though I'd not seen him for many years I still have great memories of him as a lovely, friendly man.

Graham

[Croft]

In 1990 Dave paddled an exploratory expedition in Georgia (with Mike Hewlett and Ross Purdy). For 1991 Dave got me an invite to join a Russian trip to paddle the Chatkal river in Kirgizstan/Uzbekistan.

I asked Dave to pick up a boat for me from Pyranha and bring it down to London as I was over on business.

So - I set off to Moscow (on arrival the Russian team looked like the cast from a Mad Max film) suitably equipped with the 'Hot Pink' Mountain Bat that Dave had arranged for me with Pete Mackereth. I still wake up sweating dreaming about all the vodka I had to drink to prove my manly prowess.

Thanks again Dave.

[jongat]

I don't know what to say but, what a guy, and thinking of you Laura, Maeve and Lily.

Dave was incredible, an inspiration to many, many people and nothing got in his way. Where to start with memories of outrageous stories?

Trying to keep up with his instructions to pull harder, or release, the piece of string linked to the carburettor driving round Manchester when his Hillman Avenger accelerator pedal was bust. It all went so well until a little misunderstanding on whether we were going straight on at speed or turning hard left....

Trying to keep up with the pace he set in Don Joan's bar in Sort, Spain and the early morning skinny dipping that followed...

Trying to keep up with him on a six hour walkout, in the dark, from a Moroccan gorge run that went wrong...

Trying to keep up with marathon singing sessions at Linton-on-Ouse slaloms. Dave WAS the UK paddling community's very own Frank Sinatra. Anyone who heard his mangled version of Glenn Miller's hit could never listen to the original again...

Trying to keep up with Dave as we went back, on knees, into the Appletreewick pub we'd just been thrown out of whilst singing "Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's back to drink we go..."

And that of course was the mark of the man. All of us had to try hard to keep up with his sheer presence, energy and personality.

Cheers Dave, you'll be sorely missed...

...Though not, as Manby so rightly says, for those armpits in the back of a minibus!

Jon Gatfield

[Boots]

A glass raised to Dave. First time I met Dave was at Marple 30ish years ago, he was sat on the island at the bottom pool after just falling out of a slalom C2, shouting obscenities cause he couldnt get back. He will be sorely missed but his storys will for ever live on.
Cheers Boots

[andystdavids]

Dave set a standard for partying and avoidance of rule-bound behaviour that's had a big impact on paddlers far and wide. From early post-pub encounters in Sheffield and cold morning Dee starts to later beers and reminiscence, Dave was big on friendship, memory and living live as it's meant to be lived; this quote from Jack London sums 'Higson's Way' “I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.." The boy did good.

[John Blundell]

Dave and I started paddling about the same time and I have fond memories of Dave right from the moment I first met him.

Throughout the many years I have known him I can't remember a single dull moment!

Dave - you will be sadly missed - I know others will be saying the same - but you definitely had a fantastic influence on my early years!

Perhaps my fondest memory is sharing a trip to Sort in Spain with Dave and 4 other guys in a Bedford CF van.....

With Dave on board, you can imagine it was non-stop laugh a minute!

Sincerest condolencies to Daves family,

John Blundell.

[Higham]

Christmas 08 - Dad's two favourite presents!


November 08 - The four of us.


Christmas 06 - Our favourite Swedish Father Christmas.


Thank you to everyone that has posted, it means alot to us. We have loved reading everyone's memories of our Dad.
Maeve and Lily

[mark Hirst]

I remember playing polo with dave a few times when I was younger.
The last time I saw him was in the bottom eddy of gods house on the karnali in 2007. He had such a big smile and entusiasm a perfect way to remember him. my thoughts are with his familey
mark

[jw]

Maeve and Lily,
Thanks for posting those photos - they made me smile.
It must have been great having him as a Dad.
John

[Croft]

Its a good thing Dave didn't see today's footy results - Man City 0-3 Nottm Forest - he would have been sick as a parrot! Very small mercies.

[ctilling]

Dave was one of those people that once you met him he was never forgotten. I grew up paddling with Manchester Canoe Club at Marple with my Dad Mike and sister Joanne and he was always there helping out and giving advice.

One thing I do remember is that the AA must have made a loss on his membership as he usually arrived at Slaloms across the country on the back of one of their trucks! I also had the pleasure of his company paddling the Fairy Glen, he definitely helped to make the experience more lighthearted as I was terrified!

I feel privileged to have known such a kind, caring and fun man and I know that he will leave a huge hole in everyones' life who knew him.

My heartfelt condolencies to all his family.

Clare Tilling (Pallett)

[neilh]

Hi, I find this a very hard email to write but I was one of the group with Dave when he died and just wanted to let you all know what we were doing.

It was a glorious cold crisp sunny day where we live (edge of the Lake District) after a late night spent laughing, drinking, chatting and playing Pit (a loud card game) with the kids. Following a late breakfast we set off for a walk to the Fairy Steps as Dave was eager to try out a new trekking stick having already taken Bob the dog for a walk by himself. Letting him play the raspberry card we let him drive to the top of the hill missing the steepest part of the walk.

The adults walked at Dave's pace while the kids went ahead with the dogs, the stick working well collecting leaves all of us chatting and stopping once for a quick breather. Shortly after Dave appeared to slip as if his caliper had given way (as it often did), Laura caught him and we realised it was serious. Although CPR was given immeditately until paramedics, doctors, mountain rescue, helicopter etc... arrived it was obvious he had died very quickly without pain and knew nothing.

The night before he told us what a great Christmas he had with his family and how proud he was of Lilly, Maeve and Laura. Although canoeing was his great love his 3 girls were the most important things in his life and he always felt he was so lucky to have them.

He will be sorely missed,

Neil, Jess, Reanne, Olivia and Bill (Bob's mate)

[Slime]

I think I met Higgie for the first time in the Easter of 1974 when I gave Mick Hopkinson and Mike Jones a lift up to Grandtully. He was acting the part of Wild Bill Hickock and with the Manchester “Naughty Boys” had built a huge wooden fort at the back of the Station Yard and they were re-enacting the battle of the Alamo – I have vague memories of the fort going up in flames and a drunken sing song. Thirty years late I would phone Higgie and just say “remember the Alamo” and we would both start grinning.

Some years later and in the summer of 1981 Higgie was one our small team of paddlers that had driven out to Turkey in an old van we had bought for two hundred pounds to do a ‘First Descent’ of the Coruh.

I should mention that Higgie was, as most of us know, one of the unlucky ones to be crippled by polio (the last generation before vaccination). I don’t think he viewed it as a big problem – just as something that made him paddle harder and better than the most of us. We might give him a hand with his boat to the water – he then rescued us when we took a swim.

There we were, in wild, unvisited, North East Turkey, the height of the Cold War, 50 miles from the Russian Border and paddling this wonderful new river for the first time. No westerners and no other paddlers of course. All the way down the river we got a huge and friendly welcome from the local people.

At the little town of Ispir, the whole population of several hundred people were lining the banks to watch these strange plastic shoe boats. I got out to take some photos whilst the rest of the team stayed on the water and put on a bit of a display. I watched a local cripple on a home made wooden trolley push himself to the front of the crowd. Dave was pulling a few loops and pirouettes and the local lad on his trolley watched him with awe and hero worship. With all eyes on him, Higgie came alongside the bank to get out - he sat on the bank, reached into the back of his boat, pulled out a battered old pair of crutches and with their help, stood up. The face on the local cripple was like a streak of sunshine on a grey stormy day. His hero was like him! The future had undreamed of hopes and all was possible.

This little incident has stayed with me in my memory for decades. Dave would hate to be thought of as a role model, however as this little incident shows, he was an enthusiastic inspiration to a very much wider circle of people than we probably first think of.

Thanks Higgie for being there!

Pete Knowles (Slime)

p.s. I forgive you burning my fence down at that Bonfire night party!

[Croft]

Jones weekend in Hexham about 100 years ago. The naughty boys find themselves in a 'finger in the ear' folk night.

As the night progresses, the braying masses scream for their hero: "bring on the mystery singer!"

Eventually a seemingly reluctant Mr Higson is forced onto the stage to give a stunning rendition of the 'Whore from Honolulu' (to the tune of Chattanooga Chu Chu). The assembled folkies were seriously not amused and we were (here we go again) respectfully asked to leave the premises.

Next day Messrs Higson and Beecroft were punished for their impertinance with icy swims on Whorlton Lido (shall we look at this? no!) much to the amusement of Jessie McDonald who sailed past these recirculating morons in his WW Racer.

PS: whos got the 'I dont wanna get my hair cut' tape?

[Dave Manby]

Its a good thing Dave didn't see today's footy results - Man City 0-3 Nottm Forest - he would have been sick as a parrot! Very small mercies.

The ONE time since probably the early 80s that I could crow over Higson, City 0 - Forest 3!

Dave was on the trip to the Coruh in 1982 when we drove there in a £100 Morris JU250 ex-Royal Navy, ex-school minibus, top speed 55mph the 3500 miles to the Coruh and back. Dave bought two fezes in Istanbul on our return journey, one for his Dad, a big Tommy Cooper fan and one for himself. Trouble was Dave only knew two Tommy Cooper jokes and all the way home on our return journey Dave would put one Fez on and tell the first joke: "Tap on the door last night ------ plumber's got a funny sense of humour", and then changing the fez for the other fez, tell the second one: "Walked into a bar last night --------- clang it was an iron bar". Just like, that he would tell them again and again and they were funny EVERY time.

On that first trip to the Coruh we were in a hotel in Ispir, mending kayaks in the lobby (glass boats in those days) when the shoe cleaner came in - we all had trainers on except for Hig, so Hig had his shoes cleaned. The old man cleaning and polishing shoes did the left foot and then finding the calipar and large boot looked up at Dave and mimed a question with his hands. Dave's reply was typical "Falklands" he said with a huge grin. No one ever thought of Hig having Polio, being disabled, having a handicap, needing special treatment.

Hig came on our trip to Corsica in 1985. Getting out and scouting drops was an effort for Hig and Ross and I would describe the drop and Hig would run it almost blind - Ross and my descriptions could vary quite a lot. We ran the big drop on the Ritzenasse. A few of us had been there the year before and run it and discovered only when we got back to the campsite that a german paddler had broken his femurs by running the drop down the middle. We paddled up to the drop, 7 of us got out to scout the drop - a 30 second look revealed that it was the same as last year and then the first 4 ran the drop, Hig gave me his crutches to throw over the drop so he would be able to walk out if he lost his boat and then ran the drop with the last 4 of the team. Total time from arriving at the drp and everyone at the bottom no more than 10mins - probably less. We passed a group of 3 germans portageing the drop who were not impressed with our safety nor our line down the drop (the middle where legs got broke) but were impressed that at least we came prepared!

[andy beecroft]

The picture says it all. Laughter abounds, Dave in the thick of it.

Paddle on my son.

Andy and Carol

(Thanks Cheryl for the Photo)

[Croft]

True story:

In the late 80s a French paddler Bruno Cloche moved to our town. He'd just come back from paddling in Corsica and had a tale to tell.

Getting off the ferry he had followed an incredibly scuffy GB van along the windy Corsican roads. At a junction the van suddenly made an emergency stop which caused the whole roofrack and hundreds of boats to fly off the roof and into the middle of the road. But what amazed Bruno most, was that the guys just got out of the van, grunted a bit*, shoved the roofrack/kayak assembly to the side of the road, and strolled nonchalently onto the nearest terrace to order beer.

I immediately phoned Higson and asked: "so how was Corsica Dave?", Higson's reply: "how did you know I was in Corsica?" it goes without saying.

PS: Bruno subsequently met-up with the naughty boys on trips to Turkey, Nepal and Llangollen - so now he understands why.

----------------
* the grunter was probably Manby

[Aulton]

We feel privileged to have shared Dave’s last day with him at Storth.
The night before, like many of our shared New Year get-togethers, was spent laughing, drinking and playing with all our kids.
As usual Dave was full of life, his entertaining stories demonstrating love and pride for his number 1 fans - Laura, Maeve and Lily (and of course Bob the dog).
Friday was a lovely crisp, clear winter’s day and our walk was the sort of activity that he loved to share with his family and all of us.
He died in the open air, too quickly for our help, but at least too quick to feel any pain – a blessing for him but devastating for those he left behind.
He leaves a big hole in a lot of people’s lives.

Pete, Leigh, Charlotte, Sophie and Caroline

[Higham]

Thankyou all for your memories and pictures of Dave. :)
We have set up an email address which is davesfarewell@live.co.uk for you to contact Laura, Maeve & Lily. We are trying to arrange a funeral and gathering for Friday the 16th January (not been confirmed yet).If you want to be kept informed it would be helpful if you could email Laura leaving your email address and saying whether you wish to attend the funeral. Please indicate whether you are likely to attend and if so how many of you.

From Carly on behalf of Laura,Maeve& Lily

[JessieMcDonald]

When I learned of Dave's untimely death, like I guess many of us, my reaction was one of disbelief and immense emptiness. Even now I don't think that I am able to fully face up to the loss of such a great friend and companion from so many trips and significant events in my life. I first met Dave about 20 years ago and was immediately taken by his immense sense of humour and generosity - I can't recall ever hearing a bad word about him. One of the most incredible things about Dave was his ability to just get on with things, and never complain, despite having to put in double the effort of the rest of us because of his disability. There have been many, many rapids when I have been absolutely terrified even with full knowledge of the scouted drop and an (at least theoretical) planned route down. For Dave most drops were effectively ran blind - just imagine.
Perhaps this was partly why he 'phoned me a couple of weeks before Ross, Neil, Dave and myself were due to leave for a trip down the Colca Canyon in Peru in 1998. 'I'm not coming' were his opening words. Obviously we all ignored this nonsense and were soon at a small Peruvian village looking to hire a horse and several donkies for the 8 hour trek down into the canyon.
As we huddled in the guinea pig run behind a small home waiting to set off, in the early afternoon, someone had the brilliant idea that we should all drink approximately twice our weight in water to fend off dehydration. Therefore God only knows how Dave felt as he set off down the trail, on his horse called Lola, with a bladder the size of a watermelon.
After 7 hours of continuous walking, and continuous pissing, we reached the top of an almost vertical descent to the small hamlet at the put in.
Fittingly it had a large wooden cross on it.
And it was dark.
And Dave can't ride a horse.
And he hadn't had a piss since we set off.
Unbelievably he made it down the mountain unscathed. As we entered the village we heard a cry from behind us and turned to walk back - Dave's horse passed us saying something about armpits - and we found Dave about 6ft in the air suspended from the branch of a tree. Lola had bolted under a low hanging branch having obviously realised that Dave had had it far too easy before getting on a serious river. His response - laughter.
I'd like to say that the rest of the trip passed without incident for Dave.
But it didn't.
Post el-nino the river had gained a bit of landslide induced excitement and quite early on on day one, having passed the point of no return, we were all quite literally shitting it.
That night a sombre mood overtook the campsite. We cooked, ate and sat silently around the campfire waiting until it was at least 6pm and we could get into our sacs for the mandatory 12 hours.
It was then that Dave said 'what the f***k am I doing here?' and showed us one of his crutches - he'd spent the last hour carving a loving message to Laura and the girls in case he didn't make it.
Needless to say he did make it, was an essential member of the team and like every other event I had the priveledge to share with him it just wouldn't have been the same without him.
I was lucky enough to spend a night in the pub with Dave last Saturday and am happy to report that he was, well, just Dave. Although it may be small consolation I feel that we can all take some comfort from the fact that Dave really didn't see this coming and had just had a fabulous Christmas and New Year with friends and family.
Our world is now changed with the passing of such a great man.
Love and heartfelt condolences to Laura, Maeve and Lily - we will all miss him.

[j&jlanham]

What can one say at times like this. Our thoughts and prayers go to all the family and close friends. As for so many Higgie was such an inspiration to us in those early canoeing days on the Goyt. We feel privelidged to have known him and that he is a part of our own life story. So good to have caught up with him, although briefly, in the summer at the MCC 75th anniversary - just the same caring, loveable, larger than life personality. He gave so much to so many. We thank you Dave. Julie Lanham (Jones)

[jongat]

I hope this link works - a few images of Dave from the archives...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlowgatfields/

[andy beecroft]

A couple from the archive.



Dave aka 'babyface' Higson in classic seagull pose down at the Goyt in 78. This was the time of the infamous 'Golden Bucket Award' which if my memory serves me well Mr Higson never actually received. He was however acredited with several notable assists by eventual winners.

In addition it was a time of florishing roses in several gardens in the Romiley area of Manchester. Once again Dave dispite considerable effort was never the provider of the fertiliser more of a catalyst in its formulation.

Lets not forget the amount of work he put into his long association with Manchester Canoe Club who he supported so effectively both in competition and as a officer providing inspiration to many. He once told me that he felt he owed it to the club to help out because of the good times it had brought him. With this comment in mind I remember rolling up at the Goyt one Saturday only to find Dave pottering about doing jobs. I had not seen the new club house at this time he therefore proceeded to give me a guided tour, it was like being shown round a new house by its proud owner. In fact at my last two visits to the site he seemed to have taken on the unappointed roll of Cess Pit Monitor, a job which he set about with his usual enthusiasm. I wouldn't like to say where the stuff was pumped in emergencies but I'm sure you can guess.

Carol has been ploughing through our albums and there are plenty of examples of good times past .

Thanks for them all Dave

Andy and Carol.