|
Memories of Alexander (Doug)
|
|
1
|
November 05, 2008 - 12:33 AM
Rodney Michael
|
|
| |
I went to school at St.John's Beaumont with a handsome young man I nick named Alexander the Great, and Shane Oneill was a classmate. He was a col guy and went along with everyone. If this is the same guy,and i believe it is, then I am shocked. I just pray its not that most generous and friendly boy who invited all of us to his party and we were entertained by his parents to a memorable day.
I may appear confused, which I am, but can someone confirm or wake me up from this shock.
|
|
|
|
2
|
September 24, 2008 - 09:32 PM
Sophie
|
|
| |
Going to the Science Museum and Natural History Museum with the girls - and seeing more of the cafes than the exhibits!
|
|
|
|
3
|
May 16, 2008 - 08:46 PM
Zulika Joseph-Wightman
|
|
| |
Alex (The stud of Stonyhurst) he loved that nickname very much!!!!.
Alex was a big part of my childhood and growing up, the boy who showed me how to drink pims and malibu & pineapple. I was only 15 when I met Alex, I was a young good catholic convent girl and he made a wonderful impression on me, I thought I had met royalty. I had never met a guy I could talk to like one of the girls before and from that day on, he was my gossip partner. We also had the same taste in cheesy music. I have too many funny and fond memories of Alex it would take me forever to write them all. I miss our afternoon trips to Windsor where we would have a coffee and a good bitch about life and love. He will always be a man who, once met, is never forgotten. Someone with a big heart. My Only regret is losing touch with him when we went off to university and never meeting his wife Elizabeth, who, by the way, has great taste in liking Five Star!!!!
Alex, God be with you and I want to say thanks for being you and helping to make my teenage years the best ever. I feel honoured to have known you and you were loved by everyone else who knew you too. You will be sadly missed.
My Love and best wishes to his family.
Zulika Joseph-Wightman
xxx
|
|
|
|
4
|
April 27, 2008 - 07:17 PM
giles and sophie Nash
|
|
| |
I am an old school friend of Liz and first met Alex in a pub (where else!!) in London. I remember thinking how tall and handsome he was!!! He was so easy to talk to when you first met him, and he was always interested in what you were doing. He was such a selfless man. Our everlasting memory of Alex, and sadly when we last saw him, will be from November 2006 at Jules Tisdale's wedding. He was, as were most people, very happily drunk on champagne, and walking around with a huge grin on his face (as he always did when he was with elizabeth). I have never known two such well suited people. Alex was a real gentleman and clearly adored his wife and children. He would never take his eyes off Liz whenever we were out with them. We will miss Alex so very much, he was a huge character and genuinely the nicest person we have ever met. xxx
|
|
|
|
5
|
April 19, 2008 - 06:22 PM
Sophie
|
|
| |
Oh, and I think I should also report that, according to Elizabeth, on his first trip to Derby from London he locked all the car doors as they went passed Brimingham.
|
|
|
|
6
|
April 19, 2008 - 06:16 PM
Sophie
|
|
| |
My very first meeting with Alexander was when I travelled to London to watch (one of the many instances of) Derby County being pasted by Chelsea. I was taken to a pub before the match and gave my approval whilst he and Patrick were somewhere else. I liked him from the beginning and was proved right time and time again.
I remember when he came for a return match at Derby he had to be persuaded away from the Chelsea team coach as he was convinced he had seen the youth team goalkeeper.
Alex was incredibly generous with his season tickets, our last couple of emails were discussing the dates that Tim (a fellow Blue - there is no escape!) and I would like to borrow them for. He was also in the habit of a very un-Brookes like alcoholic drink at half time (we just opened a bag of sweets in the Midlands!).
|
|
|
|
7
|
January 08, 2008 - 07:08 PM
Sophie B
|
|
| |
Once when chatting to Alexander on Skype messaging he was most put out when I correctly guessed the answer to his question - Who had just eaten a whole packet of Jaffa cakes in one go, Elizabeth or him? (Him, although it was a tough one!)
|
|
|
|
8
|
December 12, 2007 - 08:38 AM
Harry Dickinson
|
|
| |
His wonderfully fruity accent & distended gut; drinking bitter (over a decade ago now) in smoky pubs in Petworth, Chelsea & Windsor with Clemmey, Shane O'Neill, Mark Simons, AJ Peters, Alex Caton, my sisters et al.
Godspeed!
|
|
|
|
9
|
December 10, 2007 - 11:28 AM
Georgina Saunders
|
|
| |
As soon as I met Alex for an interview at Merrill Lynch I instantly liked him. Having worked there for 2 years and left some 2 years ago now, I've always wondered about him and his young family.
I respected Alex as my boss but also as someone that I could always confide in. I trusted him. I cannot believe that he is gone.
Alex, you will be greatly missed. You were an exceptional person.
All my love goes to his family and friends that loved him so dearly.
|
|
|
|
10
|
November 23, 2007 - 10:14 AM
Krispin - Donabate
|
|
| |
Huge guy bouncing along and taking me to O'briens for coffee when we first met in Dublin on a rather cold late afternoon in December 05....very helpful we I moved my family over from England.
He explained the tax system, health system, train system and especially the no water bills and council tax system...very important coming from England. He was instrumental in my living where we currently live. I miss him.
Somehow the O'briens coffee cup never quite left his hand.....
|
|
|
|
11
|
November 14, 2007 - 12:27 PM
Sophie B
|
|
| |
Talking of cats, Alexander also formed a very strong bond with my cat George during a trip to visit me in Egypt. George was a rather portly, very good natured and, it must be said, rather dim cat. He also adored men.
So he was in seventh heaven during that week as, whenever I saw him, he was being carried around the flat under Alexander's arm. The term 'joined at the hip' springs to mind.
When I was worrying about where my cats would live when I brought them back to England Alex made a secret pact with me that room would be made at Grey Square if necessary.
Sadly George passed away in quarantine (through no fault of the place, and I had him cremated by the way! - see Lindis' earlier writings) not long before Alex left us. It comforts me somewhat to think they may be renewing their mutual appreciation society somewhere.
|
|
|
|
12
|
October 29, 2007 - 12:09 PM
Lindis
|
|
| |
Alexander was mad about his cats or 'the girls' as they were also referred to. When he and Elizabeth first arrived in Grey Square they had Mrs Whiston [sic] who was also known Moo Moo she was a middle aged, slightly overweight, epileptic moggy who subsequently developed quite an incontinence problem as she matured(rather more so than Elizabeth realised...) But the devotion and care with which she was lavished and the sadness when she did a Captain Oates was remarkable.
Dibble and Grub made up the feline triumvirate until Dibble died from an immune system illness. These two little moggies were the most svelte, agile little hunters who liked to drape themselves around Alexander's neck like a fur collar.
Alexander also looked after our two cats, Port and Starboard (or Starport as Araminta economically named them) whenever we were away and most notably when we moved out of our house to have an extension built.
When an elderly neighbour moved out of Grey Square she was going to have her cat put down by the vet as a. she could not take it with her and b. he was semi-feral anyway. The Mayhews wouldn't hear of it and Alexander was going to adopt it. (Fortunately the new neighbours adopted it instead, he turned out to be a she, she turned out to be quite nice after all and she is still resident in the Grey Square)
|
|
|
|
13
|
October 28, 2007 - 08:43 AM
Sophie B
|
|
| |
I remember Elizabeth telling me about being rather embarrassed when a very small Tootle, whilst being wheeled down the wine aisle of the supermarket, suddenly exclaimed in a very loud voice 'Daddy's juice!'
|
|
|
|
14
|
October 28, 2007 - 08:37 AM
Sophie B
|
|
| |
I knew Elizabeth had chosen an excellent man when I went to stay with them for the first time in Blackrock. I remember that we went to the supermarket on Saturday and Alex loaded us up with 'treats' (the first time I had heard the expression). The next morning he rose to give the cats (who didn't really even belong to them) their special treats and then we gathered suitable quantities and all re=retired to our respective beds for most of the rest of the day. Perfect!
|
|
|
|
15
|
October 26, 2007 - 06:57 PM
Laetitia Lynn
|
|
| |
I'll never forget the evening we spent with Doug and Liz at an 'authentic' pizzeria on the King's Road celebrating Doug's birthday. After competing for the most elaborate toppings, which I think had to be a marguerita with sea bass, the evening descended into debauchery. Somehow we (although looking back Doug must have led the way) managed to turn the restaurant into a disco, with the management even bringing out an old ghetto-blaster, so that we could show off our moves and celebrate in style.
An evening with Doug was always celebratory. James and I feel honoured to have known him.
|
|
|
|
16
|
October 26, 2007 - 10:44 AM
Claire Hastings (Gardner)
|
|
| |
...don't forget the cricket jumper. The image is vivid and it emanates the gentleness that was Alex. In the era of the lad Alex was a gentleman.
I paused writing this to grab my old photo album and look at the pictures I knew I had of him. Innocent times when our final year at University was coming to a close and we partied on the Thames sure of our adventures to come.
Alex's adventure has been cut short and it is sad that someone so warm and kind is afforded so little time.
Claire
|
|
|
|
17
|
October 24, 2007 - 06:58 PM
Alison Topham
|
|
| |
Red socks!
I knew Alex at Kingston Uni as we did the same course. I was very sad to learn of his death and send my sincerest condolences to those he left behind.
|
|
|
|
18
|
October 22, 2007 - 09:16 PM
Hattie Carrell
|
|
| |
You are all so right Alex was so well dressed except I regret to say that I too remember a tracksuit with holes in the knees at university. I think there were two - both equally bad - one red and one black and very bobbly!!
Alex was always happy, always laughing and very very good at laughing at himself.
My memories are university ones so I remember Alex shouting (after far too much Monty Python) 'Shrubbery........and of course he was part of the Knights of NEEEEE
Much love goes to Liz and his children
|
|
|
|
19
|
October 15, 2007 - 06:01 PM
Pat Sharp
|
|
| |
I never knew Alexander in person, though we spoke on the radio many years ago. Thanks to Shane & Lindis for reminding me of this. My sympathies go out to Alexander's family & friends.
|
|
|
|
20
|
October 13, 2007 - 07:17 PM
Sophie B
|
|
| |
Flicking through The Telegraph's 'Home' catalogue I came accross the 2-in-1 TV blanket/cushion. Alexander once bought me one of these because I was always complaining about the cold at their house. It was great because it has a little pocket to put your toes in. I think he would have been very pleased to see it in the Telegraph catalogue, he was very pleased with it at the time (so was I!). I wonder where it went...
|
|
|
|
21
|
October 13, 2007 - 07:11 PM
Sophie
|
|
| |
The cat also continues to be referred to as 'Alexander's baby'. In the sense that Liz is Jane's baby, Toots is Liz's baby etc. Honor is particualarly keen on reminding us of this.
|
|
|
|
22
|
October 13, 2007 - 06:10 PM
Lindis
|
|
| |
I thought it might be good to put together a list of the more esoteric words Alexander liked to use. 'Dougisms' ?
Eejit - general application for daftness
Chastise - ie. being put on the naughty step (ocasionally used about himself)
No. 1 - Araminta
No. 2 - Honor
No. 3 - Imogen
The hound - Basil
Please add........
|
|
|
|
23
|
October 10, 2007 - 04:45 PM
Sophie B
|
|
| |
He was often appropriately dressed - but did no one else ever have to witness those tracksuit bottoms he wore round the house?? The really old ones with the holes??
|
|
|
|
24
|
October 09, 2007 - 03:44 PM
Mark Simons
|
|
| |
Alexander had a number of very interesting eating habits. Anyone who has ever dined with him at a restaurant will be aware that, no matter what the flavour, or how it is served, Alexander will always, without fail order the soup, followed by the chicken. His choice of 'sweet' was rather more unpredictable.
What not everyone will be aware of is that at night he would always make himself a sandwhich to take with him to bed, just in case he woke up hungry in the middle of the night.
I hasten to add that this is something he often spoke of, but I was never lucky enough to actually see him tucking into corned beef on white sliced by moonlight.
|
|
|
|
25
|
October 05, 2007 - 04:52 PM
Sophie B
|
|
| |
Alexander and Elizabeth were often concerned about the state of my love life. Alexander seemed to take a particular interest and enjoyed listing all the things Liz had managed to do by the time she was my age (buy a house, find a man, get married, have two babies - that sort of thing) and ask mewhen I was going to start catching up!
|
|
|
|
26
|
October 02, 2007 - 10:32 PM
Lindis
|
|
| |
He was the most appropriately dressed man I have ever met. Because we knew him primarily in his family/at home role we saw him mostly looking very relaxed - I recall a sarong on one occasion ! But he could really dress up too. He came up to Anaverna for lunch with the family in September 2006 and was the absolute picture of a country gentleman.
Earlier this year Alexander and Patrick went to the England Ireland rugby match at Croke Park. There had been a massive amount of media hype about trouble at the match. But as they headed off down the lane, Ed pointed out that if they were representative of the match crowd (in the unlikely event that they had Celtic jerseys underneath their waxed jackets) everything was going to be fine.
The only time he got it 'wrong' was when he failed to read the bit on a wedding invitation that said 'black tie' and wore his linen suit, which was actually the most appropriate thing because it was the hottest day that year and other guests (I'm thinking mostly of my lovely husband here) were looking like over worked waiters in their heavy wool suits.
|
|
|
|
27
|
September 27, 2007 - 09:32 AM
Alex Caton
|
|
| |
Tim, the name "Doug" (as you say, from distended gut) was, I'm fairly certain, coined by Mr FitzGibbon, the violin teacher and juniour year master in LG. It certainly stuck as I still find it a little odd talking and hearing about Doug as Alexander, not Doug.
Lots of good memories of him. He had a bit of that Kipling thing of being able to walk with kings yet keep the common touch; he seemed to be able to get on with anyone. I envied and admired him for that. And he didn't take himself very seriously, another good trait.
|
|
|
|
28
|
September 26, 2007 - 11:05 PM
Lindis
|
|
| |
Alexander's participation in the Aldi obstacle race (as relayed by himself): Aldi were advertising a princess castle tent as one of their Thursday special offers and Alexander was dispatched to get one for the girls.
Fortunately he had (relative)youth, strength, speed and a natural propensity for early starts. He arrived at the store before it opened and quickly realised that these tents were in serious demand. He positioned himself by the door whilst a mini riot ensued at the trolley bay. As the door opened Alexander and another lady sprinted down the aisle and found their quarry. This was lucky as there were only a few of the tents and all hell broke loose as the customers who couldn't carry them and had taken trolleys realised there were none left. Security was called as it turned nasty.
I think it was typical of Alexander to have got up really early to go and get a gift for the girls like that and he made it a pleasure not a chore.
|
|
|
|
29
|
September 26, 2007 - 02:27 PM
Lindis
|
|
| |
There has been much mention of how Alexander enjoyed his 'treats'. We spent a memorable New Year's Eve with Alexander and Elizabeth a couple of years ago during which Alexander was enduring some 'digestive discomfort' after the rich pickings of the festive season. He repeatedly had to excuse himself from the dinner table, but still managed to eat a moderate quantity of profiteroles.
|
|
|
|
30
|
September 22, 2007 - 02:22 PM
Tim Clemmey
|
|
| |
On the origin of the nickname Doug:
Someone at school with us (don't know who) had decided to call Alexander by the name of Doug. This was an affectionate abbreviated reference to the words 'distended gut': an allusion to Alex's increasingly prosperous physique (largely due to a diet of bitter and Harrod's pork pies). Somehow the name stuck. Alex himself found this highly amusing and used the name to sign cards and e-mails.
On choosing the right tailor:
As Lindis has mentioned, Alex took pride in his appearance. When Alex moved to Dubin he asked me to suggest where to get some suits. I gave him the name of a tailor named Doyle on Wicklow Street. Despite Doyle's modest price and convenient location, Doug settled instead for Tommy Hogan, on the rather dodgier Gardiner Street. He felt the better cut meritted the extra money (and the trips to Gardiner St.). The proof is in the pudding: Hogan made Doug's morning coat which somehow perfectly concealed the aforementioned distended gut.
|
|
|
|
31
|
September 22, 2007 - 01:52 PM
Tim Clemmey
|
|
| |
Like Shane O'Neill, I was lucky enough to go to prep and secondary school with Alexander and kept in touch with him after that. I was delighted to accept when he asked me to be the best man at his wedding to Elizabeth. A question that was put to me outside his favourite pub, The Australian (a favourite from his Bride's Book days).
I remember the day of his wedding very well, particularly waiting with him on a sunny bench outside the church before the guests arrived. Given his very calm and cheerful nature, and how overwhelmingly happy he was that day, I was slightly surprised to detect a little nervousness on his part.
This nervousness revealed the more serious (and seldom seen) side of his character. He explained this was due to the solemnity he attached to the responsibility he was undertaking, and his absolute commitment to being the best husband he could be to Elizabeth. It was clear how very much he loved her, and how much he always wanted her to be happy.
An excellent husband and a wonderful father....and a good friend.
|
|
|
|
32
|
September 21, 2007 - 05:10 PM
Shane O\'Neill
|
|
| |
I was at prep school and secondary school with Alexander. One of my odder school memories of Alexander was his interest in Capital Radio. He would often absentmindly suddenly start singing some jingle from the station. During one long school holiday he managed to get a 'phone-in request on the Pat Sharp show. I think the record was by the Pet Shop Boys. When I asked him how he managed to get the request he told me that it was through several days of 'phoning up the station. The thought of him patiently waiting to speak to Pat still amuses me. These odd obsessions (the South East Rail Network being another..) were partly what made him such an amusing and popular person.
Shane O'Neill
|
|
|
|
33
|
September 20, 2007 - 02:53 PM
Paddy Vance
|
|
| |
I went to Stonyhurst with Doug and remember him having the room next door to me in the final year, we both enjoyed taking the mick out of our camp tutor. He was a genuinely nice bloke and I enjoyed his company there and in the few years after having the odd drink or three in Windsor.
I found out today from another Stonyhurst friend who knew him well at school that he'd died and couldn't believe it as it was only a few months ago that I caught his eye in passing through Waterloo concourse one morning on the way to work. I wish I'd had a chat with him now.
Please pass on my condolences to friends and family.
Paddy
|
|
|
|
34
|
September 19, 2007 - 12:13 AM
Vincent Flanagan
|
|
| |
Alex was a huge Chelsea fan (season ticket holder). Alex and myself had many a chat about the soccer when i worked in Merrils Dublin. I heard the bad news this evening in London and am absoloutely gutted. Alex, may you rest in peace and keep the blue flag flying high. Vince
|
|
|
|
35
|
September 06, 2007 - 03:08 PM
Lindis
|
|
| |
A few random memories of Alexander:
He couldn't say pneumonia
He owned a Lionel Richie album (which I enjoyed teasing him about) but he thought that Elizabeth owning a Five Star one was better !
He wanted to buy a Landrover. There is a great bit of Landrover action in the film 'The Queen' involving HM, a Scottish mountain and a stag which I was texting with him about the week before the crash.
He cared about his clothes and got a number of suits made for him by Tommy Hogan who was one of the last Dublin tailors(who has since retired).
Between us we drank a lot of gin and tonic. He loved a drink or two but in all the time I knew him I never saw him drunk.
He is the only person I know who has had their cat cremated.
He named the aforementioned cat after a character in Camberwick Green. I was delighted when I found a dvd of all the Camberwick Green episodes and had to buy two copies, one for us and one for the Mayhews.
He told the local gurriers to "**** off" when they were vandalising a house at the end of the lane
|
|
|
|
36
|
September 04, 2007 - 03:45 PM
Lindis
|
|
| |
I took Will and Sasha to see the aeroplanes taking off and landing at Dublin airport this morning. It is an activity that I will always associate with Alexander.
Alexander used to take Araminta every Saturday morning to the back of the airport, from the age of about six months. Aer Lingus planes were 'flower planes' and Ryanair ones were 'Miffy planes' (I'm not quite sure why). Alexander was extremely knowledgeable about the different kinds of aircraft and the airport timetable. I have a funny feeling that he wasn't joking when he said he knew exactly which flight it was just by glancing in the air and looking at his watch. A school friend of his once told us that he memorised the British Rail timetable when he was at school.
Another train related memory is of Alexander walking the 4km up to Donabate early one morning to watch a steam train pass through the station on its way to Belfast and then returning to the station in the evening to watch it on its return to Dublin. He was keen !
|
|
|
|
37
|
September 02, 2007 - 11:25 PM
Bhagwant Panesar (Bhags)
|
|
| |
I was working very closely with Alex when he initially arrived to Merrill Lynch, London this year. Over the course of his time in London, we became not only work colleagues but good friends too. I remember on some mornings we would grab a coffee together and have a catch up, before we got down to doing some work ! - he was always an early starter. Alex was a fun person, easy-going, good-hearted. I recently had a baby girl and I remember Alex saying how cool having a girl is...he said one of his friends had all boys and all they seemed to do was fight !! - we shared some good times.
Alex will be greatly missed. It is such a sad loss of such a nice person - my heart goes out to all his family.
Bhags
|
|
|
|
38
|
August 30, 2007 - 03:52 PM
Lindis
|
|
| |
I went for a walk in the fields behind the house last week and it was eerie. I have a clear memory of Alexander and Ed chasing after the children up there and then spending ages looking for ladybirds one Sunday evening in June (one day when the children are receiving their starred firsts, or achieving great things in their lives I will remind them of how bold they used to be - running off and generally disobeying their parents instructions).
Over the last six weeks or so the hospital has begun a major building project in the fields. They have cleared a big site, taking out the mature hedgerows and some large trees. It struck me as a metaphor for the devestation we have felt about Alexander's death over the last month.
The hedges will grow back and in time so will the trees, but the landscape has been changed irrevocably. The innocence of the adventure and the place where two fathers and their children went searching for ladybirds no longer exists.
|
|
|
|
39
|
August 29, 2007 - 09:23 AM
Harry Gibbs
|
|
| |
Although... re pretense and fakery, Doug did make a suprisingly convincing African diplomat at an Ambassador's Reception-themed party I attended in Mayfair (Remember that wonderful/ghastly Ferrero-Rocher ad). I did a triple-take before I realised it was him under all that make-up. Rather suited him actually. And he was certainly a hit with the ladies that night. All of this before Liz swept him off his feet, of course!
|
|
|
|
40
|
August 28, 2007 - 04:58 PM
Harry Gibbs
|
|
| |
I have never seen a couple fall for each other as quickly and utterly as Doug and Liz. They both knew it from the very first moment. It is the only true incidence of love at first sight that I have ever witnessed. Men as affable, genial and generous-spirited as Doug are thin on the ground. The Doug I knew lived his life without pretense or fakery. I wish there were words to give him the epitaph he deserves.
|
|
|
|
41
|
August 26, 2007 - 11:08 PM
Sophie Brookes
|
|
| |
I once asked Elizabeth if she would clone Alexander (or Lord Percy) so I could marry him too! Sadly she declined.
A memory from his 'little sister'.
|
|
|
|
42
|
August 23, 2007 - 10:30 AM
Lindis
|
|
| |
Alexander was not noted for his domestic proficiency. I remember him being ‘chastised’ (an Alexander term) for feeding a young Araminta her breakfast with a Calpol measuring spoon. When Honor was born and Elizabeth knew she would be away for a few days, instruction notes were sellotaped on or about the domestic appliance.
In this context we were astonished (and sceptical) when Alexander brought us some delicious terrine which he said he had made himself. We knew that Monica had been staying and thought this was the most likely explanation.
We of little faith. It turned out that Alexander had cut the recipe out of a Sunday supplement and made this terrine every Bank Holiday, so he was really rather proficient at it. I copied the recipe out and have passed it on to various friends and family. It goes under the heading ‘Alexander’s Ham and Chicken Terrine’. Alexander particularly liked it with Cumberland Sauce.
Alexander’s Ham and Chicken Terrine
1 ¼ lb lean ham (raw)
2 slices of white bread (crumbed)
2 fl. oz milk
8 oz back rashers
1 tblspn. olive oil
1 onion (finely chopped)
1-2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
2-3 stalks celery
salt and pepper
¼ tspn. herbes de Provence
1 tblspn soy sauce
2 tblspns chopped parsley
2 eggs
1 tspn Dijon mustard
2 skinless chicken breasts cut into long fingers
Cut ham into chunks and steep in a bowl of cold water for about 1 ¼ hours. Drain well and buzz in a food processor to mince it.
Pour the milk into the breadcrumbs and leave to swell.
Using a loaf tine (23x12.5x7.5cm) line the base along the sides with slightly overlapping rashers.
Heat oil and fry the onion and garlic until soft.
Transfer to a mixing bowl and combine with all the other ingredients
Press mixture into the loaf tine – with the chicken in a layer in the centre.
Cover the top with oiled foil and cook in a pre-heated oven for 1 ½ hours at 180 degrees.
When cooked weight down the top and leave to cool.
Alexander baked his in a ceramic terrine dish and left it in. I only have metal loaf tins and find it comes out easily anyway. I think it looks good turned out.
|
|
|
|
43
|
August 22, 2007 - 09:49 PM
Mark Simons
|
|
| |
Alexander and I were very good friends. He was the natural choice to be Tilly and my best man when we got married. We first met At St.John's Beaumont School in Windsor in 1983. When I found out that his mother, Monica made particularly fine home made hamburgers I realised that it was critical that we became friends, and quickly. The burgers did not dissappoint and there were many more to follow over the years. A love of food was always our shared passion.
|
|
|
|
44
|
August 18, 2007 - 08:48 PM
Lindis
|
|
| |
I don't remember exactly when I first met Alexander and Elizabeth. My first memory of them is having Easter lunch with us in 2002. Elizabeth had just announced that she was pregnant with Araminta and we talked about possible names for the baby. Alexander wanted Agamemnon for a boy. (We thought he was joking.... but it clearly remained a favourite as it was the name he chose for his goldfish in 2006). He had favoured Persephone for number three (and there was much laughter round the dinner table a few weeks ago as we joked that naming a baby after the Queen of the Underworld might not be such a great idea). Imogen is a lovely name. I am sure that the lovely Imogen Stubbs was one of the actresses whose "talents" Alexander admired. Other names on that list would include Flora Montgomery, Victoria Smurfit and Eva Green.
|
|
|
|
45
|
August 18, 2007 - 06:14 PM
Julia Tisdale
|
|
| |
I am and old school friend of Elizabeth and we shared a flat together in Kingston when she met Alexander. I remember it well as she came home from a night out and started telling me all about this great guy she had met and how they had instant chemistry. A couple of days later, Alexander (or Doug as we then called him) came to the flat. It must have been quite late at night as I had just gone to bed, but Liz knocked on my door so that I could meet this new chap she had been telling me all about. It was dark in my room, but the hall light shone right above Doug's head, creating a silhouette of a tall dark dashing man with a lovely voice! Over the coming weeks it became quite obvious that Elizabeth and Alexander were going to be together - there was never any question. They were a perfect match!
I last saw Alexander at my wedding to Paul in November 06 - I have a fond memory of Alexander standing chatting to me with a glass of champagne in his hand and swaying from side to side with a drunken smile on his face! It is a happy memory and one I will not forget. x
|
|
|
|
46
|
August 16, 2007 - 02:53 PM
Lindis
|
|
| |
When Araminta was being potty trained, Alexander took her up to one of the car show rooms at Airside. They were admiring the interior of some new motor car when nature called ! Alexander calmly removed one slightly soggy child, closed the door of the car and quickly left.
|
|
|
|
47
|
August 16, 2007 - 09:56 AM
Deborah Gruben
|
|
| |
I first met Elizabeth in 2005 when our little girls began Montessori together in Donabate. Shortly after the term started, my girl Lainey came bounding out at pick up time excitedly declaring that her best friend’s name was Toots, which she continued to repeat for the rest of the week! Happily the girls have remained the best of friends since. I will never forget the first time I met Alexander. He called one Friday evening to collect Toots from a play date at our house. Before he arrived Lainey had asked three-year-old Toots what her daddy’s name was. She declared, in her beautiful accent “my daddy’s name is Alexander Mayhew and he’s a Chelsea football”! As soon as the girls heard him arrive, they ran squealing up the stairs and scrambled under the master bed. Much cajoling and pleading would not budge the mischievous pair and poor Alex, having just met me, politely removed his shoes and came up stairs to try to coax his little girl out. I was slightly mortified when he had to crouch under the bed to try and playfully grab Toots. I fervently prayed that he wouldn’t re-emerge covered in dust or worse still come in contact with any stray laundry beneath the bed! Only the promise of a game of “tickle monster” would finally convince the girls to come out. This was the start of many fun occasions at pick up times. Often the girls would greet him at the door and then tear off down the green with the two of us chasing them. Puffing and panting we both agreed we could do probably do with getting fitter.
We last saw Alexander at Lainey’s fifth birthday party at the end of July. It was the second celebration that week. We had already held a mini celebration for just her and Toots earlier in the week hoping she might then pay attention to some of her other guests at the official party!! Alexander arrived with Honor later on and accepted the offer of a small beer, on the understanding, jokingly, that we wouldn't tell Elizabeth who was in England at the time. As they left, the girls did their usual runner down the green so Alexander and my husband Peter scaled the sidewall and grabbed them, flying them in the air like airplanes. A quick game of tickle monster ensued and the girls hugged happily and parted. Alexander was a truly nice guy, polite, witty and a perfect dad. We are all so deeply saddened by his sudden death and the terrible loss to his wonderful family.
|
|
|
|
48
|
August 16, 2007 - 12:26 AM
Ed Lenox
|
|
| |
I am sure Elizabeth did most of the cooking but Alexander occasionally made good use of the kitchen. We were invited around a couple of times for meals that he had made - I remember a particularly good pea soup followed by some mild chilli beef.
We ate it in the small dining room in their house in Grey Square before they had their extension built. The room was barely big enough for a table so quite cosy and good for a small dinner party.
|
|
|
|
49
|
August 14, 2007 - 02:38 PM
Lindis Lenox-Conyngham
|
|
| |
In 2006 Ed spent some time in hospital and Elizabeth looked after Will (who was 1 1/2) when I was visiting him. One evening I returned to find that Alexander had taught him to shake hands and say 'pleasure'. A few weeks later we met a very ancient, eminent academic acquaintance in Dublin who jokingly extended his hand to Will. The look on his face when Will shook it and solemnly said 'pleasure' ! I recall that Alexander also told Araminta about this wonderful place where boards went to school and played games and had great fun. Of course she then demanded to be sent to boarding school to our immense amusement.
|
|
|
|
50
|
August 14, 2007 - 02:13 PM
Will Hilton
|
|
| |
I have so many great memories of Alexander or Doug as he was known to me.
From our first meeting which was in 1993 at a dinner party thrown by Mr Simons (along with his partner in crime Mr Clemmy and others) I got to know one of the most hilarious and wonderful blokes I have ever met.
As a fellow founder member of The Cavaliers Croquet Club (allowed in even though he was a Jesuit!) we had a great time at various salubrious eating and drinking locations around London.
Doug and I also used to meet up regularly when his summers were spent 'working' at Peter Jones in the Brides Book department. It was Doug who advised many of us how to obtain 'beer money' by using our Peter Jones store cards to buy vouchers, using the vouchers to buy a toothbrush in Waitrose on Kings Road, and receiving the change in cash! Doug was very proud of his HR file at Peter Jones in which late appearances were marked as 'student exuberance'.
My favourite memory however will always be on my stag do for which he flew over to London to be there. We went to a recording studio to record a version of 'Perfect Day' by Lou Reed. Doug's enthusiastic vocal talents have been preserved for ever on CD! Doug also then flew over to the Grim North for my wedding in Sheffield - even though Elizabeth was due to give birth in a few days so couldn't make it. It was this kind of attitude to friendship which will always be remembered.
He will be greatly missed.
|
|
|
| [Top] Page # 1 2 [Bottom] |
