RIP Big Daddy Wayne

will it be restricted to people who physically met him?

as i said before, i never physically met but felt his presence here

Of course not. All would be welcome.

And good coffee. Woe betide the man who took him to a shit coffee.

in

;0)

That last time I went out on a bike with him we went to The Dynamo after the 50 mile "unexpected no coffee stop" ride and I was given a detailed rundown of the timeline of the departure of the staff who had been trained by the coffee bean supplier that resulted in the coffee being exactly "meh"

Any funeral details yet?

He used to drink the coffee I roasted first at Monmouth, then at my current place where I started roasting on my own without any other experienced staff to give me feedback. I always sent him coffee to get his opinion, the Bella Barista house blend has been influenced by him to quite a large degree.

Very much this. I'd like to be there.

nice,was meant on behalf of all of us who were graced by his presence here

Like many on here, I have never met Big Daddy Wayne, but always struck me as one of the standout contributors to the website.
Is there a collection we can donate to? Either for the funeral costs and/or a charity?
My thoughts go out to his family and friends. RIP

This thread.. moves me beyond words. So many new and old members coming together, sharing memories of a genuinely nice guy without doubt loved by all who met him. I now remember how special this place is.

Ride? Yes. For the love of the man. For the love of the friends here.

Only just seen this thread. Awful news - thoughts with family, friends and all that knew the gaffer well. RIP

+1 on a memorial ride/funeral presence.

There are a lot of old faces I haven't seen since my heart issues.

Totally agree with this statement.

Nicely put man. Would definitely be down with a ride and some cake.

I'm not a seasoned poster on this board, but have been active here for a while. We've crossed paths mainly through a few of his many friendships, and of course by his presence on this board.
Extremely saddened by this news, RIP matey.

Brave's post sums up my thoughts exactly.

We had a huge session at NE London polo tonight, lots of shirts Wayne designed were worn, many beers raised in his honour.

But i'm sure I'm not the only one to have posted something here and
then got a PM or a phonecall 5 minutes later from him, offering a
solution. "Let me have a little think">

This is exactly my experience of him!

I remember asking on here if there was a company in London that might help me design some replacement decals, and by the time I checked back to see if anyone had answered, he'd already posted a mock-up and pm'd me with an invite to come over to his flat in Putney, drink coffee (amazing coffee) and work on it together... So I did, and a few hours later I left feeling like the world was a better place. And I will never look at typefaces the same way again!

If there's a memorial ride then I'd love to join in. I didn't know him at all well but he certainly left his mark and it is sad news to hear he's gone.

This is just unbelievable. Absolutely devastated by this news. I met Wayne in the early days of this forum and would regularly see him and discuss all things graphic design and freelance life. Was so chuffed to be seeing him more when he started playing bike polo too. A really awesome and cool dude. You'll be massively missed buddy. Ride on X

Reading this thread fills me with a nice, but sad, glow. Seeing this outpouring in love, gratitude, and stories about how Wayne was there to offer help, advice and support is amazing.

More people should be like Wayne.

More people should be like Wayne.

I can't believe I never met Wayne or that I won't be able to now, but reading through this thread ^this occurs to me over and over again, we should all try to be a bit more like Wayne. Ride in peace.

Everyone should be more like Wayne.

Just perfect Stelle

Much like velocio I feel somewhat shamed that I haven't made more of an effort, but wise enough to know how life pans out. that said seeing the sadness in so many good people and the loss of a true gent has left me wishing i gave more at times and i will

Wayne was a rock, but you get the measure of a man by the company he keeps. be proud folks, Wayne was with people he deserved to be around.

But there was one time i made him really angry. i mean head re-defining purple fury.

After Sparkle Motions (the peoples champions) fine run at the manchester champs, we stripped the bikes, loaded the car and set of back to london. it's a long drive so i have Wayne in the front on tunes, James in the back, probably wondering if one day he would be as rapid around the court as me.

About an hour into our journey home the manchester air started to take its toll. i say air but it could have been the cider, kebab, coffee.. who knows, but i needed to "adjust" to get comfortable. it was then i farted, it kind of punctuated waynes sentence and i noticed him tense up.
"You wont notice it, it was one of those that doesn't really smell" i said to re-assure him
"ah Pip thats just not on..."
"don't worry" i said it will clear
... it didn't, i mean it seemed to get thicker..
"christ whats wrong with you! i am not being funny but thats just not acceptable, you don't do it" went Wayne in this incredibly restrained but seriously pissed tones..
"I totally agree man, i am sorry" i say and start to explain how i had no idea it would have been like that and how the air conditioning is probably not helping.. i mean i would be angry if is was his fart etc etc

it was about then when the comedy of the whole situation hit me, but also how now was not the time to laugh. really.. really not the time, Big Daddy was a powder keg waiting to go off, it was a long weekend.

But this is me.. so i lose it, what's worse i start James off in the back seat.

It felt like forever for me to get a lid on it, to avoid looking at James and convince the now raging Wayne i am not laughing at his reaction, i was.. but all is now calm and the awkward silence in the car is a status quo i could cope with
Then the next cramp like twinge; probably triggered by the fit of giggles, has cold sweat running down my back, but its silent.. Fuck yeah i have gotten away with it!

No..Then came the roar "For fuck sake, you filthy fucker" "stop the car i am getting out" "drop me off at the train station" ah man he was raging..
"Your fine man" i re-assure him "i think the seat took the brunt of it", "look at it as one of your five a day?"

Then i am gone, laughing so hard i cannot form a sentence to calm him, James is in pieces in the back and Wayne is all over the passenger side giving us both barrels. rocking in anger.
he is livid but there is nothing but love in the car and through some decent tunes it calms and the rest of the journey he is quiet. real quiet.

He was the last drop, we got his bike out the back and squared up to say goodbye, i can see the sides of his mouth raise under that face fluff of his. "Thanks you filthy sod".. "No worries grumpy"

He also gave me the one piece of information i have fallen back on more than ever. He told me he believed we were only given the challenges we can cope with. a saying that manages to make me feel strong and lucky at the same time.

Till the next time Big man x

^rep