In Memorium
MEMORIES OF MICHAEL ‘MICK’ NESBITT
(1941-2026)
It seemed ironic but, over the course of last weekend when we were celebrating the culmination of the Bowls season, a shadow passed over proceedings when we learned that Michael, better known as Mick, Nesbitt had passed away after a long battle with illness.
Long before any of us got to know Mick, he relocated from his native Antrim to Sussex in the early 1960s. He brought with him but never lost his distinctive Irish accent. After moving here, he settled into his new life and soon afterwards met Pam as she alighted from the school bus at the tender age of 17.
Three years later in 1964, they were married. After an initial period in Tremaines Cottage, they moved into their house at the end of Wyatts Lane where they spent the next 60 years. There they brought up their two sons, Brendhan and Stuart. While there, they transformed the garden into a wonderful spread of flowers and vegetables. Not only did it feed the family but it also provided a rich source of items for sale at the Bowls Club each year, particularly, when he brought up mini bouquets of his fantastic sweet peas for all of us to enjoy.
In his working days, Mick became known and relied upon for his skills as a plasterer, much in demand. But more than that there were not many things he could not turn his hand to. During the ‘Big Dig’ project on the Bowls Green in 2001, he established himself as a ‘natural’ at designing and installing the drainage system that has served us so well over the years.
Mick and Pam joined the Bowls Club in 1986. Not only were they both good bowlers but also as first-rate Club members willing to pitch in with anything that needed doing; not only on the Green but in maintaining the gardens and doing all those jobs that no-one else thought to do.
Mick in particular was a regular and accomplished bowler representing the Club in County, other competitions and friendly games. In the early days, while Mick bowled, Pam took on a leading role with Sylvia, Pam (Hussey) and Joan in providing the splendid lunches and teas that were so appreciated at the Mower Cup, Memorial Day, Invitation Triples and numerous other occasions.
Many of us at the Bowls Club remember Mick with great affection. Sadly, he passed away on the 62nd anniversary of his wedding to Pam having just reached his 85th birthday on 12th August.
I hope I will be forgiven for entering my name into this tribute but I have particular fond memories of our times together. For many years, Mick worked together with Dai, Terry, Billy, Duncan and me, not forgetting Pam, Sylvia and a host of others as we saw the Club develop from a little old village club into the Club it is today.
Those who knew Mick will remember him for his fairness, honesty and loyalty, not only to the Club members but to all those who knew him. His work in taking over the organisation of the annual Invitation Triple competition is one of many things he achieved, firstly getting all the teams together, then supervising things on the day. It sounds a bit ungracious but, such was the success of the Triples that he rarely had problems in recruiting the teams and, such was its popularity, we even had a waiting list of people wanting to play!
Behind all of his achievements, he remained modest and under-stated never wanting to be in the limelight. He was never short of a story about Northern Ireland and his adopted County of Sussex, all delivered in his rich Northern Irish brogue; there was never a lull in conversations with Mick!
Sadly, he has played his last end. Unfortunately, his time ran out. To those who knew and remember him, his memory will last a long, long time.
Thank you, Mick. One of life’s great contributors.
Trevor Swainson
with considerable input from Pam
Written on behalf of all of us at West Hoathly Bowls Club
Click here to see some of Mick's accomplishments and photos that are on the website.