I've known David West (who I always knew as Dave) for 34 years; first meeting Dave and Cherrill in 1983 when viewing their house for sale in Southwater (we bought it). Dave and I hit if off straight away, due mainly to our common engineering occupations but also a shared sense of humour and probably other enthusiasms at the time, which I can non longer recall! We kept in touch after that and then collaborated in 1987 when I investigated buying the catering equipment business he was working for. That plan didn't work out but Dave came and worked for me part time in my newly formed manufacturing business while he was looking after 'just-born' Charlotte. During that eight year period, we developed a firm friendship based on working together and shared interests, which continued and strengthened when Jackie moved down from Bucks in 1993 and met Cherrill - they got on straight away!

Since then, the four of us have developed an enduring friendship (as described by Jackie in her story of Dave) sharing numerous social and family events, always involving enjoyable conversation about pretty much everything. The Dave I got to know was always full of enthusiasm and interest in new things and, despite us having very different core tastes in music, our being contemporaries (two months apart) meant that we had crossover interest in 1960s influenced genres. Cars and motorbikes were also a firm common interest (turning to classics as we 'matured') as was a shared appreciation of aesthetics/style; he with far more style that I it must be admitted.

I very much admired his taking on the 'house-husband' role with Charlotte and I'm glad that he managed to 'escape' from engineering and work with his design interest. Without doubt, Dave frequently had an influence on my way of thinking and actions and I often found myself wanting to share my enthusiasm of things and events with him. Dave was part of my life for such a long time, sharing trials, tribulations and joys, that we became close enough for me to feel as if I have lost a brother; part of who I am now. I will hugely miss his presence but have so many strong memories of our times together to help ease the pain and bewilderment of his loss. I'm so very grateful that I had my valuable last time with Dave (and Cherrill) only two weeks ago when I visited them to help out with some DIY and we chatted and enthused as usual about...everything.