Pub Portrait - Smithy

In an occasional series a portrait of one of my firday night pub pals.

This week it's...

Smithy
Herr Schmidt
John
JS

As you know everyone has at least 4 handles, and Smithy is Smithy, long before a young fat Corden made him a character.

It's funny I write that as in a previous life there are pictures of walking weekends where a fuller version of the racing snake can be seen!

John retired from teaching and became a noise in the charity world several years ago. A trip to Romania for me to meet him 2 days after 9/11 was eventful and memorable for plenty of ³reasons but 4 days I will never forget. Delivering PCs to nurseries in Romania that AXA had donated felt like a great thing, a useful thing to do.

John was also the drummer in our band for many years. Many gigs together but with family moving to Germany, and his love of cycling holidays and travel, John fell on his sword stepping down a few years ago. I miss him in the band as it was a reason to spend time together.

On the cycling, amongst all his rides he has cycled EFI of the states coast to coast....9 weeks, every fucking inch!!

My most precious memory of John however is him playing piano at his mum's funeral. A great drummer and also a wonderful pianist, he played I Wish I knew how it feels to be Free, by Nina Simone [and others]...the Film 98 etc theme tune.

How he did that, on that day, I don't know, but what a way to send your mum off.



Others....


https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2918794515215028219 - The Lengthsman

https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2920839404505269595 - Fidbo

https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2926423731871941211 - Foil

https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2936554307341779388 - Mr Roy

https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2941498639404499516 - Plod