Mark Steven Carvell (29 Nov 1971 - 7 May 2024)

Mark, what can I say?

You were the first smiling face I spotted aged 5 when I started St.Mary’s school. You took me under your wing and showed me how to survive in the crazy primary school jungle.

Your birthday parties were absolutely legendary. They would begin as sensible and refined but after a few Panda pops and sausages on sticks your face would be in the trifle and a mass brawl would erupt - usually as your brother Alan was beginning his film show! We knew how to party even at 10 years old.

We were thick as thieves at Henry Mellish - you had a really cool moustache at 12 which meant you could legally buy vodka on a Saturday night for the boys!

You were always the first kid on the block with new technology – a Ferguson Videostar, Atari 2600, a ZX Spectrum – many happy hours were spent on sleepovers typing in computer games from Your Sinclair.

We shared a love of all things radio. Stations, presenters, jingles – we even produced our own ropey content. It was rubbish but we loved it.

Later, I was lucky enough to work with you at Nottingham Hi-Fi and Sevenoaks Sound & Vision, we didn’t always see eye to eye, but we were always mates. You were kind enough during this time to give me a nickname – which has stuck to this day – Prat!

Life gets in the way sometimes but whenever we could we would get together for some Newark shenanigans – a Scrumpy Jack in Cliff’s pub, a mixed grill in the spoons, a seat in the Post Office van – one thing is for sure, the Barge won’t be the same without you.

You were always the quiet voice of reason and sense – I was always hot headed and ridiculous – you were right – I was wrong.

46 years of friendship – thank you for all the memories.

So, my friend, one last question before you go…

Half seven in the Oxford? I’ll buy – I’ve got a magic fiver.

Mark You will be very sadly missed. Great friend great and some memories