By the time I started going to Brentwood and Chelmsford Folk Clubs in the late 1960s/early 1970s Nic had already turned pro and made only occasional appearances, usually as a booked guest. However he was still very much the Local Hero.

I saw him on many occasions and remember him as a wonderful performer, with a dry sense of humour. Besides being a fabulous guitarist and sensitive singer, he was also a very good on the fiddle. I spoke to him many times, and he was always friendly and ready to chat, although he must have got very bored with continual inane questions about tunings and technique.

I've no particular stories about Nic, but I was at the "Perform" conference at Manchester's Free Trade Hall when the word reached us of his accident, and I remember well the sense of numb horror that engulfed everyone.

His playing and singing were a huge influence on many people, myself included. A lovely man.