Sadly, I've been half expecting to hear this for the last few weeks. Doesn't make it any easier when the shoe finally drops... My regards and condolences to his family and friends. Lost too many people to this over the years... crap...
Aye, sad news & my condolences to his family & friends. Neil was a great researcher & sharer of knowledge & a great example & encouragement to me when I really started getting involved in researching & learning the history of brands, introducing me to the principal of Occam's Razor. A lot of us have fond memories of his displays & endless fettling in his caravan awning at Newark & elsewhere. The lamp world has lost a real gent & legend but he could be proud of all the collectors he's encouraged & helped to get so much out of their hobby.
Sad news. Neil was always very helpfull to new, ignorant collectors. I'll miss his enthousiasm and spirit
Probably a bit too early, but do we have any funeral details yet? It's a long run for me, but possible if we shared transport...
Earlier today, I spoke with Neil's daughter Krissie who told me that she and her father had discussed this issue at length. There will be no funeral as such, Neil's body will be cremated and his ashes taken to a location somewhere in Scotland.
RIP Neil! He defined himself as an historian, I say he was also a teacher: always willing to give a kind advice, to teach whatever we needed. A friend who I couldnt know in person has passed away.
When I discovered the CPL about ten years ago, the forum quickly became a reference for me. I took care to analyze all the families of pressure lamps to read all the articles of the different participants. Then I made the decision to register while being a little terrified to make a publication because I was not sure to succeed and there were the founding members who impressed me a lot. After a few failed posts with pictures at the wrong scale, I listened to the advice and corrected as best I could for better quality. Today it seems far away. Neil was one of the people who gave me advice and information for lamps. At each request from him, I always did my best to send him pictures or documents. He leaves me with the memory of a beautiful person with a good state of mind. He will be missed by all, it will be important to honor his memory. As Fred Smith told me yesterday afternoon "I miss him already". Neil has brought me a lot, may he rest in peace, a thought for his family.
I first shared information with Neil nearly 30 years ago, when there were few collectors, and when email and the internet were young. We were both eager to learn as much as we could, and share whatever information we found, usually by photocopies of original documents sent by snail mail. He contributed hugely to my first lantern website which simply consisted of a list of about 20 known manufacturers, then later to Pressure Lamps International - which I no longer maintain, due to advancing age. We sometimes had conflicting views, but were always able to resolve differences in a friendly and courteous way. He put endless energy into his PLC, and was still making additions at a time when anyone else would have given up. Only Neil could harvest the details from collectors all around the world in such a way, and as a result his PLC will continue to live on, and be a unique source of detailed information for years to come. My condolences go to his family, they can be assured he won't be forgotten. Rest in Peace, Neil, thank you for your endeavours.
For those who may wish to have a moment in thought and perhaps raise a glass, Neil's daughter contacted me earlier saying that his cremation takes place today. Rest In Peace old friend.
Thanks Henry. I'll raise a glass to Neil and I may even light a lantern to guide him on his way - Godspeed old friend...
I had the privilege to meet Neil on several occasions, the first time at “Wheels by Lamplight” at Ipswich Transport Museum where he was exhibiting with @Henry Plews, and also at the CCS/CPL camp meet at Newark. Neil’s enthusiasm and love of pressure lamps was incredible and was highly infectious, leading me to stray from the basic Tilley and explore other lamps and fuels, as well as attempting basic repairs and maintenance I wouldn’t have previously considered. Thought “Be Back Later” and the CPL Neil provided friendly, encouraging advice and his knowledge, which will be sadly missed by many, will live on not only through the PLC but from the many he encouraged and mentored. May your light shine on brightly, Neil!
As a relative newcomer to this passion I never met Neil in person but he did help me out with great advice more than once. His passing leaves a hole in this community, and no doubt the world. I do hope that eventually somebody will take over the mantle of maintaining and updating the PLC by way of preserving his important legacy. Godspeed Neil.
To my knowlwdge this will be done by @Tony Press and @DarcyDV. For my part, I think it's great that the CPL is being kept alive by these two and will continue to do my bit to support the project that Neil has led to such great success with his enthusiasm. It will keep him in honored memory.
Well that's excellent news although I'm not acquainted with DarcyDV. I'm hazarding a guess when I say Darcy Vantiger whose name I've heard - but no more than that. Do we know if the PLC is going to be distributed to Neil's former subscribers or is there going to be a fresh start?
Hi David, Darcy is the former secretary of the now closed Lamp Guild Forum. She was also very involved in the writing of the last Coleman book. Kind regards Jörg
Thanks Jorg - the Lamp Guild was where I heard her name. Not that I was ever a member as I wasn't deemed to be a 'serious' enough collector by that American chap who ran it. He spat his dummy out when I made a query about restoring a Tilley X246B without posting a picture of it - that was the crime of the century in his eyes. Then he went completely nuts when the third or fourth lantern I ever collected was a Thomas Kerosafe - he didn't think I was worthy of it. The TK cost £5.50 from eBay and no-one else wanted it. That was over 20 years ago and restoration is still proceeding (slowly)...
Yes - that was him. I'd completely forgotten his name. I did get a reply from him at one point which Neil told me was the nearest he'd ever seen him apologise to anyone...
I have sent to Neil new lamp candidates for another update of the PLC some time ago, but it was too late… This is a great news that his work will be continued.
