Boxing and Africa - Two Great Loves

From: Nick Blackford

I shared a flat with Chris in the 2nd year of Edinburgh, and have many happy memories. 

You probably know that he was quite keen on boxing. What you might not know is that I watched him go toe-to-toe with a guy who went on that year to win the British Universities Championship for his weight. The battle only stopped when Chris twisted his ankle. We all knew something special was going on as the rest of us in the boxing gym stopped what we were doing to watch, something which had never happened before or since. 

He inspired me to carry on boxing after Uni, and I went on to box on and off for 15 years... on the rare nights that I did well, buzzing with excitement, I would think of Chris and how pleased he would be. Likewise when things were not going so well in ring, I would imagine him telling me to stop running away and get stuck in. 

******

 

Back in 1996 (or 1997) I was lucky enough to spend a wonderful summer with Chris, Rick Laird and Venetia Wingfield travelling around South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. We had a wonderful time, going on amazing safaris and travelling through landscapes that seemed out of this world. I have copied some photos using my iPhone...

This first photo is of Chris and Vinnie climbing what was apparently the biggest sand dune in the world, Dune 7, Sossusvlei in the Namib desert. The sand was so hot it burnt your skin when touched, I think Chris went up either barefoot or in flip flops.

This photo is of Chris after a large meal in Chobe National park in Botswana. He and I shared a tent. One evening was very memorable: there were lions nearby having a row, it sounded like they were right outside the entrance. Apparently they won't attack a tent if the zip is done up...

There were also a lot of elephants about... 

This one was also from Chobe National Park in Botswana. It was the end of the dry season, but the rains had not yet come. Our camp site had a hose pipe, and this elephant wanted us to turn it on. We took it in turns to see who could get closest. Chris won by quite a margin. The rangers did not let us give the elephant water, they did not want to encourage them visiting the campsite. 

Both of these photos were taken in Sossusvlei, in Namibia. We had rented a tiny white Mazda in Windhoek and driven across the Namib desert to get there. The car was given the nickname Marjory-Motherfucker, a joint creative collaboration between Vinnie and Chris. 

Final photo! This one is of Chris and Rick Laird in a place called Chimanimani in Zimbabwe. We climbed up a mountain all day long to reach a giant plateau at the top of which was a game park where we spent a lovely couple of days camping. A very special place indeed. 
 

Like a Rangatang Dancing On a Cloud

From Charles (Charlie) Adams - Chris' friend from Edinburgh University. 

Your Dear Brother Chris and I met while he was at Edinburgh University. We used to go together sometimes to nights at the Messenger (Reggae) Sound System club night played at the Bongo Club in Edinburgh.

I would have written to you before if I had known about his blog... I only found it yesterday through a FB contact, a mutual friend from Uni days.  His blog, by the way, is beautifully written and describes him so very well. I am so happy to read the memories of him and I know that his soul and spirit continues to live within those closest to him.  

It is also lovely to have seen a picture of him, exactly how I remember Chris. A handsome man, with a unique chin, charming, gentle, kind, humourous and easy-going, with a big warm heart and free-spirited soul. A man who was a great mover and groover on the Reggae dance floor. Those days were such fun and I am so happy that I experienced my Reggae dancing, clubing days with your Bro.  Fond memories that will never die. I could always rely on him to say yes when I called him to ask whether he was up for joining me to go to the Bongo club. I would have loved to have met him again and often think of him. Maybe we will meet in another world. 

When your Brother went missing strangely enough I was working in the French Alps and one day I came off the mountain and walked into one of the cafes where I came across a UK newspaper - I think it may have been The Daily Mail. As I had not seen the papers for months and was cut off from what was happening back at home (no bad thing), I picked the newspaper up off the table to have a peek at what was happening outside my 'Mountain Bubble'. The first page I opened I could not believe what I saw and read. It was the story about Chris and the news of him going missing. It came as such a shock. 

I am so sorry not to have been in touch as I lost contact with quite a few old friends from Uni days. I was very happy to have made friends with your Brother while he was studying at Edinburgh. I often think of him and when I listen to some reggae tracks that remind me of the days of the Bongo Club I smile and think of your Brother as we used to enjoy dancing to our Reggae and Dub beats. I have to say your Bro had some of the best moves on the dance floor. That makes me happy when I think about it... arms swinging in the air like a Rangatang dancing on a cloud, with his feet stomping to the beat in rhythm to his swinging arms and soul playing :) 

I can still picture him in my mind when I go back to those days.

You guys must miss him so much and by heart feels for you and your family. I know that you will keep his spirit alive and the fond memories of him will never die. One day we will meet him again, it may not be in this world but it will be in another life and I look forward to that. His memories and sparkle lives on like the bright North Star. He will always twinkle, as his eyes always did, and his unique character (one in a million) made so many smile when in his fun company.

Hannah, I would like to tribute this poem to your Dearest Brother as I think there are quite a few characteristics in there that describe him well; his beat carries on within his family and all those who were lucky enough to have met him and got to know him.

God bless.

Charlie 

XX 

Dis Poetry  

BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH

Dis poetry is like a riddim dat drops
De tongue fires a riddim dat shoots like shots
Dis poetry is designed fe rantin
Dance hall style, big mouth chanting,
Dis poetry nar put yu to sleep
Preaching follow me
Like yu is blind sheep,
Dis poetry is not Party Political
Not designed fe dose who are critical.
Dis poetry is wid me when I gu to me bed
It gets into me dreadlocks
It lingers around me head
Dis poetry goes wid me as I pedal me bike
I’ve tried Shakespeare, respect due dere
But did is de stuff I like.

Dis poetry is not afraid of going ina book
Still dis poetry need ears fe hear an eyes fe hav a look
Dis poetry is Verbal Riddim, no big words involved
An if I hav a problem de riddim gets it solved,
I’ve tried to be more romantic, it does nu good for me
So I tek a Reggae Riddim an build me poetry,
I could try be more personal
But you’ve heard it all before,
Pages of written words not needed
Brain has many words in store,
Yu could call dis poetry Dub Ranting
De tongue plays a beat
De body starts skanking,
Dis poetry is quick an childish
Dis poetry is fe de wise an foolish,
Anybody can do it fe free,
Dis poetry is fe yu an me,
Don’t stretch yu imagination
Dis poetry is fe de good of de Nation,
Chant,
In de morning
I chant
In de night
I chant
In de darkness
An under de spotlight,
I pass thru University
I pass thru Sociology
An den I got a dread degree
In Dreadfull Ghettology.
Dis poetry stays wid me when I run or walk
An when I am talking to meself in poetry I talk,
Dis poetry is wid me,
Below me an above,
Dis poetry’s from inside me
It goes to yu
WID LUV.

From Clare Walker

My name is Clare, and I was a girlfriend of your brother Christian before he left to travel to the Caribbean for the second time, researching for the book he was writing.

We met when we both worked at Ticehurst Hospital - a summer working on the acute adolescent unit pulled us together somewhat! I always remember the 12 hour shifts when I worked with Chris went much faster than when he wasn't working! Chris wooed me with his handstands and cartwheels and relaxed reggae approach to life... Ha! Funny, I still have a heart he and a really wild teenage patient made out of beads, hanging in my kitchen! Chris has such a relaxing effect on those kids

I remember feeling so very nervous whilst also feeling so chuffed when Chris decided to invite me to meet his family. He loved you and his family very much, I recall. I remember feeling so lucky to be allowed in for a weekend, and treasured being allowed into his life like that; seeing his home, meeting home friends, and him sharing things like his CD collection, and photos that meant so much to him. Despite being so laid back on appearance, I also found him quite hard to work out emotionally - honestly, I was totally smitten with Chris and was ever so heartbroken when he left to go travelling. But that was part of the attraction, really... His love of travelling, the commitment to his project (he came even more alive when he was talking flowers, fauna and animals), as well as his steadfast determinedness to finish what he'd started. I admired him so much and felt so sad to see him go.

When I think back to those days there are some funny memories which might make you smile:

1) His long shorts that used to hang off his backside!

2) His reggae hair - he made me a tape of his favourite reggae music and I still have it!

3) The fact that he was far too old, but travelled everywhere by a battered old bike

4) Broccoli. I always think of him with a smile when I cook it. For Chris always cooked it completely whole! Still makes me chuckle.

It's probably over ten years ago now that our lives crossed, and my memory isn't what it was! But when I think of Chris it is always, always with a smile….

… I saw my best friend last night – Liz – who knew Chris well from our uni days. Liz reminded me of another Chris fact - that he used to love Opal Fruits (Star Bursts now!) and would eat them one at a time, still fully wrapped in their waxy paper. It made us giggle to remember so I promised to share it with you!

'What makes Chris happy' - 1992

From: Alex B. Davis (Christian's friend from Chaterhouse)

I found a list that Chris and I filled out on my 1992 trip to visit Charterhouse [when Christian was 17 years old].

"What makes Chris happy"

1. Daydreaming.

2. Sleeping.

3. Getting to one's goal.

4. Making friends.

5. Get togethers - parties with friends.

6. Holidays.

7. Seeing old mates after a long time.

8. Falling in love.

9. Sport - succeeding/excelling.

10. Being able to relax completely and be carefree.

11. Finishing large academic project.

12. Coming home from school, leaving school grounds.

13. Feeling free.

14. Shopping.

15. Reminiscing.

16. Listening to music.

17. Drawing.

18. Understanding.

19. Eating.

20. Sexuality.

21. Dancing.

22. Dangerousness... having done dangerous things.

23. Falling aspleep after serious physical exertion.

24. Laying in bath after long day with nice cold drink listening to music.

25. Wearing new clothes for first time.

26. Being with family.

27. Being with certain girls at school.

28. Getting approval or recognition for what you've done.

29. Succeeding.

30. Compliments.

31. Health.

 

Pretty exhaustive I know, but I guess that's all we had to talk about that summer!

I think of him often. I have done so much with my life and I feel that if I was to check out tomorrow I would have no regrets about what I have accomplished. I have three kids now (we just had twin boys, my wife and I) and my life feels overly full sometimes, and he is just gone. It is a deep and hollow resonance of sadness for what could have been, pleasures, pains and all. I will never get over it and I will never stop replaying the memories of him in my mind. I am somewhat consoled by the idea that Chris lived (and perhaps is living) a fuller life in his short time than many people do with all their years.

I hope this note finds you well otherwise. Best to you and your family.

Chris' Life Story

What a shame this blog has somewhat stalled over the past few years - I guess life just goes on and, for me, I've had two children, moved house and started a new business. We still miss Chris every day and especially over Christmas when I can't help being angry that he's not here to share it with us - he may well have had a family of his own by now.

Anyway, Chris has been at the forefront of my mind since August when I interviewed my/our father to find out his life story for a project I was working on. Obviously, we discussed Chris and his disappearance and both got upset. My husband and I edited Dad's story, added photographs and designed a hardback book for him - when we got the books back from the printers we couldn't believe that there was a typo (we'd checked it over and over for mistakes). And where was it...? On the page opposite a full portrait shot of Dad and Chris! I've decided to keep the mistake in as it's kind of nice to think that Chris may have had a hand in annotating the page to let us know he saw it! The book was the first step in creating my new business and Chris was the inspiration - see www.redletterbookslifestory.blogspot.com

Hence this post...It's high time that I got round to creating a book of Chris' life story, but that means I need some help from his friends to fill in all the gaps that we, as his family, can't...All contributions welcome.

Film-Making in Dallas

From Alexander B. Davis (Alex):

This is Alex Davis, an american friend of Chris' from Charterhouse. I was his "filmmaker" friend, and we met one weekend back in those days. I have been so saddened by Chris' disappearance and was relieved to see that you started a site in his honor. I think of him often and I have video and pictures from his trip to visit me in Dallas back in '94. I will send you what I have in time, but for now I just wanted to mention that I am happy you started this. I am holding out for his reappearance, despite the apparent unlikeliness. Looking forward to sending in some happy stories and sharing the pictures. What a dear friend he was to me.

Will never forget him...

From Paul Grzegorzek

I used to work with Chris many years ago at the Western Front [pub] in Churchill Square [Brighton]. I heard about his disappearance at the time, but had no way of contacting anyone after to find out if there had been any news.

Chris was always vibrant, outgoing and full of life, except at the end of a shift, and even then he was one of the nicest people I ever met. Even now, thinking about him brings a tear to my eye as I'm sure it does yours, but I just wanted to say that there are others out here who will never forget him.

All the very best,
Paul