2022 Obit: Nick Havell

Subject: RIP NICK HAVELL
From: GUEST,Tony Coll
Date: 19 Jan 22 - 11:21 AM

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.

Subject: RE: RIP NICK HAVELL
From: GUEST,Tony Coll
Date: 19 Jan 22 - 11:25 AM

CORRECTION - Cremated on Monday 17th Jan 2022.

Subject: RE: RIP NICK HAVELL
From: The Sandman
Date: 19 Jan 22 - 12:11 PM

Iremember him singing at THE THREE BLACKBIRDS, fine singer.RIP

Subject: RE: 2022 Obit: Nick Havell
From: GUEST,Tony Coll
Date: 19 Jan 22 - 01:50 PM

He was, Sandman! Do I know you? I used to sing there too xxx

Subject: RE: 2022 Obit: Nick Havell
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Jan 22 - 03:28 PM

Tony, send a note to [e-mail] and have him set up a regular membership on Mudcat for you. Then you can Dick can send PM (personal messages) and don't have to do your catching up in someone's obituary. Thanks!

Subject: RE: 2022 Obit: Nick Havell
From: GUEST,Chris Taylor
Date: 20 Jan 22 - 02:08 AM

sad news indeed - I was in Gas Mk5 with Nick during the 80's and early 90's. A fine trombonist and vamp piano player also a fine singer, I particularly remember his version of 'Lads in their Hundreds' and the Irish emigrant song 'McShane'.RIP Nick.

Subject: RE: 2022 Obit: Nick Havell
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 20 Jan 22 - 11:58 AM

Subject: RE: 2022 Obit: Nick Havell
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 20 Jan 22 - 12:22 PM

sorry- finger slipped....
    Sad news indeed...   a couple of memories-

I'd met Nick when I was booked at the excellent 'Florence' club in Islington & knew he was a continental lorry driver in the 70s.
I lived in Dover at the time & one wild night at about 2 a.m. he arrived at my door with an inch of snow on his hat & several inches on the ground- he'd abandoned his HGV on the A20 & sought refuge!

   He was a great opera fan & a regular visitor to The Wagner Ring event in Bayreuth. He tried to convert me, and I have a
lovely operatic memory from the Empress club in Islington. He put down his trombone, stood up and launched into 'La Donna e mobile', accompanied by the Flowers Band'- great stuff- a lovely bloke I haven't seen for 40 years, but great memories. RIP pal

Subject: RE: 2022 Obit: Nick Havell
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 21 Jan 22 - 09:41 AM

Another good man gone. I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread and send my condolences to his family and friends.

RIP