"What a great bloke".. I'll bet those are among the most frequently used words as we all prepare our heartfelt farewells to our great Mate, Wayne. Funny, Dependable, Straight talking - no bullshit from Wayne! Those blue, twinkling eyes, always ready to throw out that unique, laser sharp wit - Put him with Steve and Mark and Gibbo, and be entertained as they fine tuned their art! It's impossible to recapture all the fine details of the memories of someone you have known so well and loved, close on 5 decades - but - the overwhelming feeling is one of fun, laughter, layers and layers of happy memories. I used to borrow a pair of Wayne's Cuban -heeled, burgundy boots. I could never look as good in them as Wayne though! I looked like a tall, skinny prat wearing them. Wayne just looked bloody good in them. Once, about 1987 i reckon, arriving utterly smashed (nerves!) off a plane to one of our Spain holidays, (I don't even know where..!) totally incapable even of walking, Wayne physically picked me up and carried me over his shoulder and carried me to our hotel - It's so typical for Wayne to get me home like that. Utterly dependable, What a great mate! We shared our birthdays down the years, Me, Wayne, Steve and Paul O. All Born within a week of each other. A massive highlight of that was Paula surprising Wayne with a trip out to Hong Kong to see us on our 50th Year. I wished we could do that for our 60th! We shared a love of our music, from Bowie to Benson, Goldmine to the Global Village. I feel blessed, thinking back over all these years, the shared upbringing. A lot of us worked at Basildon market, it's how we all got to know and to look up to Jean. Not too many people get to put 'Putting up a market stall' on their CV, but those of us who can, remain fiercely proud of it. Wayne's Mum and Dad always had the coolest cars - I cherished them, then nagged my mum and dad to buy them after Pete had finished with them - so we could be cool too! :) Wayne has left a lasting legacy, a wonderful family who all need to know how much I, my wife, and all his mates adored him. We must all remember him with that twinkle in his eye, knowing that he is now at peace and we can celebrate his life, and we will celebrate, that's for sure! What a great Bloke! x