Sometimes it’s hard to put into words the impact someone has on your life. I didn’t really do photos back in the day, and it’s a shame as I don’t have many pictures of the 1990’s. I do have lot of memories.
I first met Marie in 1989 out the back of the Common room at Henley. She was wearing a Beanie, and some fingerless gloves. I am sure I made some comment about “Goths”. She was with her mate Louise if I remember rightly. I was quite gobby so it wasn’t long before I struck up a conversation. Marie was always non-judgemental; her friends were from all walks of life. She could even forgive you if you weren’t a football fan.

That year we all had such a laugh, and it was natural that the all the wilder folk gravitated to one end of the common room. It got very boisterous, but in a good way. I think 1989-1990 was quite a crazy year, Henley college was never the same. Marie lit up the place, and everyone knew her by the end of the year. She really brought people together.

One day she brought her brother Scotti in. We hit it off. I hung out with Scotti and Marie a lot. We played cards, watched Star Wars, there was plenty of banter. Phil and Lavinia were always really nice to me when I came round. Christmas evening was always special, and we’d all see a lot of each other, usually the result was a very late night indeed! I always miss those times at Christmas, as they were so nice, I used to love Christmas. In time all our friends became quite a family. We went out a lot in Reading or London. From Parties in Cemetery Junction to drunken restaurant visits in the centre of Reading we had a blast. We all stuck together and even in the late 2000’s I’d see a lot of Marie.

When Marie got her first pad in Reading, we’d do all weekend card sessions. It was a lot of fun. I got called “the Mummy” for falling asleep at 9am on Sunday morning with my arms crossed over my chest. Marie would often hand out temporary nicknames, depending on what silliness people were displaying. But she also gave me my first DJ name- “Stan” (based on my middle name) , probably after being exposed to one of my “mixes” ( before I had a mixer)- usually called “Scotti’s Rinze Out”.

Marie was always up for going out to nights. Afterwards Marie would always give us some ”proper” music to listen to round her pad, stuff like the Carpenters would get airplay right after some tearing drum and bass session out in town.
Same for TV- I made the “mistake” of slating Friends. The result was a several hours of re-education. I maintain its not my cup of tea, but it is easy watching. I’m sure Marie would disagree!

Marie would try and help you out whenever she could. She always had your back. Marie got me my first DJing gig, playing at her birthday. She also got me writing for Blah Blah magazine, to get promos. That led to a lot of radio plays and gigs.

“Kickin Beatz”
At some point in 1997 I got to play at the Purple Turtle (again, thanks to Marie) - back then Jungle was a dirty word, most people hated it. So I started playing and I had my head down, concentrating on the next track in tight. I felt a kick in the butt, I looked round, “What ?!”, Marie was shouting “Look! “
The room was packed with dancing people?! Wouldn’t have happened without the kick!

“Ringtone”
Another time we were out in London (early 2000’s ),we went to a comedy club, but Darren was so drunk he outshone the stand-up comedienne! (Sorry Darren). He couldn’t find his mobile, so he’d borrowed one of ours. ( Maybe it was Ren’s) He was calling his phone, which was in his top pocket. Thing is he was so drunk he couldn’t work out where the ringtone was coming from. I think after laughing for a few minutes, Marie came to his rescue, before he was ejected by the grumpy security.

“Someone’s Mum”

In 1993 I had just got my motorbike, so I drove over to Wokingham to see the gang at “Someone’s” place. I arrived just as some serious banter was starting about how “Someone’s” Mum and Dad looked like vampires in an old black and white picture (if you know, you know, sorry Pete!). Marie hadn’t started this, but she was laughing in such an infectious way. I sat down, and the laughter stopped. Everyone seemed to be looking at me, so I naturally was “what the ?? you all staring at”- Marie starts laughing again-“you’re sat in front of the TV you idiot ,bwah ha ha “. Of course, we all were rolling around laughing for some time for that one.

The last time I saw Marie was a sunny evening in Wokingham, at Scotti’s house. I got a good telling off for not having caught up with her sooner, and we had great chat. She wanted to know what I was up to. We 3 didn’t stopped laughing or smiling all night. It was so nice to see how happy Marie was in herself. It was as if a few years had never even passed.

My last comment on her Face Book page was something like “lifetime Friends are worth more than gold”, it was picture of her with all her besties on her birthday. Real friends will always be with you. Marie was more than a friend; she was like a sister. Bless her, and my thoughts go out to Scotti, Lavinia, Phil, Laney, Davinah, Darren,Duncs,Miles,Krystyna and everyone who was lucky enough to have known Marie.