Byron Alexander

plumbob

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We have just received the very sad news that Byron passed away this morning. I know this will be immensely sad news to everyone here.Our thoughts and prayers must be with Eileen and his family at this very sad time.
An absolute legend who will be sorely missed by us all.
 
A stalwart of the forum from early days, and a man of great hospitality on and off the river, he was always generous in answering questions. One of the old school Thames boaters, with an unparalleled knowledge of the river's history and traditions.


Vale, Byron.
 
We have a gathering at Ashmount this weekend.
Byron spent most of the evening with us, swapping stories and joking as usual.
As said above, an absolute legend who will be sorely missed.
 
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Really sad to hear this news earlier this morning and echo everything others have said. Byron and Eileen hosted the first ever YBW Thames Forum get together at their home which we all attended by road in the middle of winter. He was unstinting in his support for the river and particularly the many clubs and boating groups that enjoyed Ashmount hospitality.
The forum and the river have lost a character - I have lost a friend..
 
Only met him couple of times but enjoyed his postings on here which often had me in stitches. Another river character we will all miss.
Rest in peace mate.
 
Went past Ashmount last week, would have popped in, but there was no gazebo up, or John Deere bombing around, so didn't want to bother him. Wish I had now...

A most accommodating Gentleman with a vast array of cracking tales to tell. He will be missed by many of our club members I have no doubt.
 
Very sad news, will miss his wisdom and great stories, the loss of a gentleman & legend. Treasuring fond memories of great times spent with Byron at the Royal Temple Ramsgate, St Katharine's Dock & Ashmount. Thoughts are with Eileen and the family.
 
A great shame.

As some of you may know I once worked at the great IPC Towers and Byron very kindly offered to be one of the early volunteer moderators. What you probably don't know is some of the internal moderator discussion were often worse than the subjects / thread they were moderating !

More importantly before the tinternet even existed and as a young 18 year old (20 odd years ago) we once moored up behind him in Henley on a trawler yacht called clipper which was our Henley booze bus.

Despite our all night ( and all day) partying he made a real effort to return two mooring pins we had forgotten and I was greatful to be able to say thank you many years later when I reminded him of the story !!

So Thank you Byron for the many things you helped me with.
 
This is indeed very sad news. Condolences to the family. RIP Byron - you will be sorely missed. Huge loss to such a wide cohort of people. Generous family, a kind and generous individual.
 
Re: Byron Alexander - Funeral Arrangements

Byron's funeral will be on Tuesday 12th September at 12:30 pm at St. Andrew's Church, South Stoke [FONT=arial, sans-serif]RG8 0JL.
[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, sans-serif]Following the service there will be a gathering at the Perch and Pike,, South Stoke RG8 0JS. There is no need to advise attendance, all are welcome.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial, sans-serif]Donations to [/FONT]Auxiliary Coastguard or Action on Hearing Loss, Bath.
 
Re: Byron Alexander - Funeral Arrangements

A sad loss. I spent many a while posting with him after midnight in the early days of the forums and as others have said he had a wealth of tales and knowledge. It also turned out we'd both lived in Colum Rd in Cardiff, though at very different times. I fondly remember his forum meets at Ashmount. One of my fondest memories was his use of his encyclopaedic knowledge of small powerboats from the 50s and 60s and 70s, when new members arrived on the forums, wondering what old boat they'd just bought, and did anyone know anything about it.
 
Re: Byron Alexander - Funeral Arrangements

Very sad news; a loss to the boating community and to these forums. Brendan is right: what he didn't know about powerboats from back in the day, wasn't worth knowing.
 
Re: Byron Alexander - Funeral Arrangements

There's an interview with Byron here, filmed quite a few years ago for the BBC, from about 11mins onwards
 
Re: Byron Alexander - Funeral Arrangements

What a lovely, jolly, low-budget programme! I imagine that ‘Sonny Jim’ might grate a bit before the end of the series - but he’s so much better than the touchy-feely-greeny presenters of ‘Country’ programmes that we’re now stuck with.
Why don’t they do that now? ‘cos you now need several dozen hangers-on. All on the gravy train - and all paid by....US!
Thanks so much for that link Actionmat.
 
Re: Byron Alexander - Funeral Arrangements

What a great video and testament to the man himself.

It really is a great shame when this places loses the sort of wealth of experience Byron clearly had.

We will be the poorer in knowledge terms for his passing.
 
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