RIP NICK HAVELL

It’s my sad duty to report that Nick Havell, the veteran folkie and long-time lighting designer at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, has died just a few days short of his 71st birthday.

Nick had been unwell for some time with tongue and throat cancer. He died at University College Hospital, London, during surgery to insert a tube to help him breathe more easily.

Nick, who lived in Stamford Hill, North London, was a complex character who loved tradition. He was a Freeman of the City of London, a freemason, member of the Guild of Loriners, keen sailor and former Commodore of the City Livery Yacht Club.

He was an accomplished traditional singer and musician, and had played trombone and keyboards in the folk bands Flowers and Frolics and Gas Mark 5.

In his younger days he worked on building sites and drove an articulated lorry, which enabled him to gain a foothold in the world of opera, driving stage sets between venues and eventually becoming a technician, first freelance, then staff, ultimately management.

I first met Nick at school at St Ignatius College in north London. He had a huge impact on me. I thought he was the coolest kid in the class and did my best to emulate him.

It was he, along with his brother elder Paul and our classmate Paul "Pablo" Wright, who introduced me to folk music, real ale, rollups and rock climbing, two at least of which have been lifelong passions.
Among many random memories, I recall

* Nick’s regal portrayal of the Grand Duchess of Gerolstein in a school play.

* His knack of rolling a cigarette with one hand

* His prowess with and enjoyment of the hardware associated with rock climbing.

* The time he wore a head-turning gold shirt to a school dance, hand made from a pair of curtains.

* His rendition of "When Jones' Ale Was New" at the Tower/Three Blackbirds folk club, where he was a resident singer/performer.

* His Lambretta LI scooter (it was the days of Mods and Rockers) and his parka with "Y-Clept LI" written on the back (a Chaucer reference)

Nick died on December 27th last year and was buried on January 18th 2022 at the City of London Cemetery, Wanstead.

He was a one-off, and will be long remembered.

Please feel free to add more reminiscences below, or give me a call on 07813 480986.