Nigel Boyd
Lovely Notes
I will cherish all the personal notes and kind words – there were over two hundred and fifty messages and cards. I have placed them all in a special book that is being printed – I have taken excerpts from these special messages – but not the whole message or the author as I wanted to keep them private – I have included a small selection here along with a selection of paintings that Nigel loved – he would choose a painting that he liked and then paint it himself – there are also two slideshows in this chapter – one with more lovely messages and the other with the lovely cards.
The paintings here are from our home and the studio – there are many more adorning the walls of our family and friends – there are two paintings that were bought for anniversaries – one by Joan Gillespie to celebrate our 1st year together and a painting by Jacqueline Orr to celebrate a milestone at P4P – he loved both these paintings.
I have been deeply touched by the kindness and heartfelt thoughts about how I am coping, the many offers to meet for a cup of coffee, a blether and walks in the park – I haven’t felt able to take up any of these kind gestures but knowing that you had me in your thoughts was very comforting – I am so very very grateful.
I am so sorry to hear about Nigel, it’s absolutely heart-breaking. I hope that you are ok and managing each day, I am sure your amazing team at P4P are taking good care of you.
Nigel was a lovely gentleman and a real pleasure to have worked with over the years on all the many projects and brochures you have both helped me with.
Life is just so unfair sometimes.
I am so sorry for your loss, Nigel was a true gentleman and a fellow fisherman with a passion for the sport and River Spey like me. We spent many happy times together at Delfur on the river and in the hut.
I still find it hard to believe that he won’t be coming to Delfur again, I know how much he enjoyed fishing here.
I can still remember the first day you both turned up here on Brian and Betty’s week and how truly excited he was. If I remember correctly I think he shed a tear of joy that he’d finally arrived at the Salmon fishing Holy Grail that is Delfur!
Really sorry to hear about Nigel, such sad news. He was always the calm one and a really lovely guy. I hope you are bearing up ok and find peace in the future on what a great life you had with Nigel.
I am at a loss as to how on earth to communicate how sorry I am to hear this truly saddening news. I remember talking to Nigel about his love for fishing and went away thinking how much of a lovely couple you were and such a unit. It breaks my heart that his life was taken from him so prematurely and even more so that you and him could not enjoy your thoroughly well-earned retirement together. What you and Nigel have created at P4P together is nothing short of a miracle and an absolutely life saver on a day-to-day basis – nothing is ever too much for anyone at P4P and that is testament to how you both have such a handle on it all.
My admiration for that is sky high.
The joy of our industry is the range of great people you work with and the friendships you make along the way. Working in a small team you don’t have the same interactions you do in a big company, and as such you rely more on the interactions you have with people from other companies. I have always looked forward to calling in to your warm and welcoming office in Glasgow for a catch-up with the P4P team on the various projects you have helped us with over the years. Nigel was always interested to hear what we were up to and only ever had positive things to say and I enjoyed our chats immensely. He was unquestionably one of the good guys!
He really was a fabulous guy and I was very fond of him. A terrific communicator, empathetic, understanding people inside out with a very positive approach rather than a negativity which is all too common in today’s electronic society. I think this created a real “ feel good factor” in Candleriggs and this was something quite unique. There was a lovely energy flow in the office which is something that cannot be bought at the shops or studied at university. It’s called personality and Nigel had oceans of the stuff.
First time I ever clapped eyes on him was in the Evening Times office in Mitchell St. It was in the early seventies and I was sitting at the picture desk which was situated on the second floor between the picture library, darkrooms and editorial. There I was thinking I was the coolest guy in town when Nigel walked in wearing a very stylish suit, a French style white trench coat and a flashing smile,
I was gutted.
My first words are I am truly sorry for you and please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of Nigel. It must be still difficult to accept this. I can picture him in your offices busying about bringing his personality, enthusiasm and warmth to your business and anyone who was in there! He was genuinely a lovely man and you were such a double act!
We so fondly remember Nigel – his enthusiasm, his kindness, humour and perfectly ironed GANT shirts!
We are forever grateful for the input, generosity and enthusiasm we received from yourself and Nigel when we started out. That we won’t be able to thank him or enjoy his company again makes us both very sad.
I remember Nigel very fondly, as a man of integrity, strong values and a great sense of morals by doing the right thing. He was definitely my best boss in my working lifetime, and someone who mentored me, to be the best I could be, a true, caring people leader, who had compassion and belief. Everyone I knew, who worked with him, still remembers him with great fondness, and that is a wonderful achievement in life which very few leaders can boast.
I always remember his good sense of humour, his love for Quality Street chocolate hazelnuts, Farenheight aftershave, his art, his love of fishing and I hear that he wrote great plays. What a man, what a life... he has achieved so much, and with you by his side, rooting for him all the way.
I am so, so sorry to receive this message... a beautifully worded piece which emanates your love and care for Nigel. Whenever I spoke with Nigel – in person or on the phone – I was struck by what a fantastic gentleman he was….funny, kind, professional and patient (very important when dealing with agents!).
In the nearly twenty years we have worked together it was always a pleasure to deal with Nigel. He was a true gentleman.
Working with P4P over the years I can honestly say that Nigel has been one of the nicest and friendliest people that I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Always smiling and laughing – especially after returning from one of your many fishing trips. He was always interested in how my family were getting on, genuinely one of a kind.
Nigel was a lovely, calm and kind man and I feel privileged to have known him, chatted with him and generally enjoyed his company on the occasions I was in your office. He has been taken far too soon and life really isn’t fair at all for either of you.
I am so sorry for your loss, Nigel was such an amazing character and I can only imagine how hard this all must have been (and still be). I learned so much from both you and Nigel in the weeks I spent at P4P, he truly was an incredible guy and will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
I am so sad and sorry to have heard of Nigel's passing away, our thoughts are with you.
Nigel was a true gentleman who I took to straight away the first time I ghillied for him here at Delfur –he loved fishing here, he appreciated and understood the magic of Delfur better than many who have fished here throughout the years.
Nigel had a great boyish enthusiasm and passion for fishing, he was never downbeat or negative no matter how the week was going.... always up for a laugh with a dry sense of humour.
Nigel was a lovely man and as you say not able to enjoy a deserved retirement. I really enjoyed coming in to see you, Nigel and the team in the Merchant City when you helped me with marketing brochures, website, etc. You always made me feel most welcome and sprinkled the magic stardust!
Nigel was such a genuinely lovely and talented person and simply a pleasure to work with.
Whilst I didn’t know Nigel at all well, I remember like it was yesterday, sitting in one of the offices at 525 Ferry Road chatting away and remember his black polo neck (cool guy!) and lovely, understated wit and warmth – nothing was too much trouble and you instinctively knew he, with your considerable help, would get things right which absolutely proved to be the case.
Nigel was such a kind lovely man and I always looked forward to our chats when I came down to your office. I always felt I could speak to him about any topic – football, music, food, family – all our favourite things. Property could always follow on after the real important stuff. I know he is going to be such a miss to the property community.
I’m truly sorry to hear this, Nigel was a great man and will always be remembered for his marvellous wordsmith skills he gave to us.
Oh Avril, I am so sorry to read this and totally shocked. Nigel was such a nice man, great company and I can’t imagine how you must be feeling right now. I send you my heartfelt condolences.
My favourite piece of branding Nigel did for us was his “one great drink deserves another” strapline for the whisky–hub concept at Conexus – loved that one!
I’m so sorry for your loss, very sad news. We absolutely love working with the P4P family and Nigel was a great vision in that family.
It was one of my great pleasures in day-to-day life meeting Nigel outside Bar 91 on Candleriggs and having a blether about life, work and most importantly our joint love of all things Salmon fishing. It’s a funny thing when you know that you could bore the pants off most people nattering away about the elusive Salmon, so when you have a kindred spirit that has the same weird love of something it’s a special thing. I know how much you both put into creating such an incredible business and the fact you have handed the baton to your employees is a lesson I think many business owners and entrepreneurs hopefully will follow, you were both trailblazers and what a team you made.
I only have positive, fun and happy memories of Nigel, so you can be proud of who he was, how he lived his life, and the fact he was admired by so many.
Oh Avril, so sorry to hear this – I am shocked and devastated. Nigel was one of the nicest gents that I ever met and always had time whenever I came in and always had a genuine interest in how we were doing.
Thinking of both you and Nigel – he was a lovely man, with a twinkle in his eye.
I have been sat here since I received your email in shock, thinking about what to say. Truth is, I am lost for words. I am so saddened and deeply sorry to hear of the passing of Nigel. Taken so quickly and unexpectedly. A beautiful soul who touched all our hearts in different ways.
After all these years we never met in person, but I know from conversations we had on the phone and email exchanges that Nigel was a gracious, generous and gentle man. I could always rely on him for a kind word of support.
Truly sorry to hear this – he was always a lovely man and I find in today’s world that is a rare thing – not a lot I can say to help but hopefully knowing how well respected and loved Nigel was will be of comfort.
Heart-breaking to read this. I only met Nigel a couple of brief times and did not know him that well, but many who did know him have told me what a lovely man he was.
I am so sorry to hear this …It’s heart breaking.
Nigel was such a lovely man and an absolute pleasure to work with. You two were a great couple and I could see the love and laughter between the two of you every time I was in your company.
Being in the business we are in is exciting but there were few things that I enjoyed more than meeting up with the two of you. The synergy between you was a joy to behold. He will be missed but never forgotten.
I don’t know where to start. To say that I am shocked, bewildered and deeply saddened by Nigel’s death is a huge understatement. Over the years I always found Nigel to be so gentle, warm and kind hearted. Always a pleasure to meet and always a calm voice of reason.
So sorry to read this. Nigel was a real gentleman and I don’t forget the kindness and time you both spent with me when starting out in 2009.
I didn’t know Nigel well but it was clear you were a great double act. He had a glint in his eye when I met him – I just knew he’d be good company, charisma if that’s the right word – you just know.
He truly was a lovely man and a pleasure to have worked with him over the last 18 years.
Whilst I never actually met Nigel I had many telephone conversations with him over the years and he was always someone who was so engaging, witty and empathetic. I would come off the phone thinking “what a lovely chap”.
We are so sorry to hear of the sad loss of your beloved Nigel.
We had been reminiscing last week about our last day trip and remembering what a brilliant man Nigel was.
Our thoughts are with you at this heart-breaking time. How lucky you are to have had such an amazing man in your life.
“Without having to say a thing a soulmate is someone who just gets you”.
Such a lovely man who I had the upmost respect for.
Avril, I’m truly saddened to hear this news. He was truly such a lovely, lovely man. I only hope that you can come to terms with losing such a lovely, decent partner in Nigel. He was such a happy chap, which I’m sure meant that he had already lived a long and happy life. I’m a great believer that you guys will meet again.
I can’t begin to tell you how sorry I am to hear this news, Nigel was such a lovely man.
I am so sorry and saddened to hear this. Nigel is a beautiful soul, one of the brightest personalities I think I have ever come across!
I write this note with a tear in my eye as I know what a team you both were and I can't imagine how you are feeling just now. There is little I can say just now to make the situation easier – he was a wonderful chap and a pleasure to work with.
I am so, so sorry. Nigel was one of the loveliest men I ever met, so kind, funny and talented with his painting. You probably both won’t ever know how much of a lasting impression you both made on me when you offered me that summer placement back in 1995 and took me under your wing(s).
I am so gutted for you, and for poor Nigel. So young, so bloody unfair.
I really enjoyed speaking with Nigel over the years, he was always so positive and upbeat when we came down to your studio. I can only imagine what you and the P4P team are going through.
That is very sad news indeed. Nigel was an absolute Gentleman and always a pleasure to deal with and speak to. He was never up nor down – just always the same, so you always knew what you were getting.
I am so so sorry to hear this. If there is anything at all I can do, or if you want to talk I am here. I can only imagine how you feel. He was like the dad I never had.
Nigel was such a lovely, happy, positive and kind person. Life can be so so hard and unfair.
Nigel was a great man a really nice, guy, I will always remember the laughs we had and when me and him would go out and take shots for jobs having a laugh at things, then end up in the lite house for lunch and a beer ha.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved Nigel. My experience of him was that he was always a thoroughly decent, fair, easy-going, friendly man. I'm sure I am not the first person to have confirmed what you already knew about him!
I am so, so sorry to hear about Nigel. I have not heard about this horrendous disease before and am truly saddened for what Nigel had to go through. I am blessed to have worked with Nigel, he was very talented.
I am so sorry to hear this news, please accept my deepest condolences.
Nigel was a lovely man and will be sorely missed by many.
I am terribly sorry to hear of your loss. I had to take a deep breath reading this Avril, both you and Nigel always made me feel so welcome when visiting the office.
Oh no Avril, I’m so very sorry to hear that. Please accept my condolences. He was a fine man and always made me feel very welcome (as do you).
I feel truly fortunate to have met both you and Nigel. He was a truly wonderful, warm and kind man and it has always been a pleasure to see both of you.
I will never ever forget the very many happy memories I have of you both, whether in the office or downstairs in Bar 91.
I was so saddened to read your recent message – Nigel was a genuinely nice guy.
I don’t really know what to say. Nigel was a wonderful man, and both of you such an inspiration.
That is terrible news about Nigel, so sorry to hear it. He was such a warm and engaging person and was always raring to go when I have spoken with him.
We are so sorry to hear this terrible news. You must miss Nigel horribly, and I feel for you and all his family. He was such a lovely man.
Nigel was always super nice to talk to when we bumped into each other, sorry I’m actually really lost for words.
Avril, I am so truly sorry to hear this news. He was such a gentleman. I know how devastated you will be feeling right now.
What a great loss and a what great man Nigel was, and what a wonderful partnership.
Oh Avril, so sorry to hear this sad news. He was a lovely man so easy to be in his company.
I'm so sorry to hear this. It's heart-breaking.
Nigel was a lovely man, and you were a lovely couple. I tell everyone what great characters you are.
Working with you guys has been great fun over the years and I still remember fondly bumping into the pair of you one Saturday in John Lewis, Glasgow as I was shepherding my children and trying to keep them occupied while their mum was shopping.
Oh Avril, I am lost for words, I’m so so sorry for your loss, truly awful! I’ve known you and Nigel for a long time and am desperately sad to hear this!
Your email, whilst upsetting, is so touching and warm to read and clearly expresses the special relationship you and Nigel had, something for the rest of us to aspire to!
Whilst I didn’t know Nigel that well, he consistently came across as a very kind and gentle man who was always upbeat and an absolute pleasure to speak to on the phone.
Dear Avril, I’m so sorry to hear about Nigel he was such a gentleman and it was a pleasure to have met him.
Such sad news and brought a wee tear to my eye reading your email. I always remember Nigel fondly and loved coming along to your offices to hear your combined chat – always cheered me up.
I can’t express how shocked and sad I am to hear this news.
It was an absolute pleasure to know Nigel and to get to work with him, he really was fantastic, and both of you have built a brilliant team at P4P.
Goodness me Avril, I am so sorry to learn of your sad news. Nigel was an absolute gentleman, and a top class wordsmith!
I am so sorry for your loss, Nigel was such an amazing character and I can only imagine how hard this all must have been (and still be). I learned so much from both you and Nigel in the weeks I spent at P4P, he truly was an incredible guy and will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Dear Avril, I liked Nigel. We all got to know each other early on in Mitchell Street, as you know. It is not easy, but please know I am with you. I know you will have good memories with Nigel.
I can still see him coming in for work – third floor Mitchell Street – and saying good morning to us all over at the makeup desk. Onwards and upwards.
First, I must send my deep condolences on the loss of Nigel. He was the most gentle, fabulous person and I was very glad to have known him. I know how close you two were so I can’t imagine how you have coped, but I also know you have a lot of good people in your life who will be looking after you as best they can.
Oh Dear Avril – I am sitting here sobbing my heart out for you. Why oh why does life have to be so cruel? Nigel was so lovely and did not deserve this. I have very fond memories of him at Collie and l will miss seeing him. Always ready to give me lots of compliments and enjoyed his food so much.You take care of yourself Avril thank goodness you are still involved with your work as that might help you a wee bit.
Nigel was such a kind and calm person and I always enjoyed meeting him, he was often in the background of your business dealings but I valued his measured thoughts and input. I can understand why he wanted no fuss at his funeral, this typifies the lovely man that he was.
All I can say is that in all my life, Nigel was never anything other than a perfect gentleman in every sense of the word. A man who cared about others and did everything to help others. I will miss him very deeply.
I am writing this note now which is probably full of grammatical errors and thinking of your lovely husband and how over so many years he helped me out by writing/correcting copy, he must have shaken his head so many times at my attempts – he was a gifted wordsmith.
Nigel was such a true gentleman and always so calm and helpful and I feel privileged to have known him.
Hi Avril – I am so sorry for your loss. I have such great memories of working with you and Nigel over the years up in Glasgow on various projects. You made a great team and were always so welcoming to us when we headed up north of the border.
I am truly heartbroken for you and currently shedding a tear. He was just the nicest, kindest and most genuine man. I am so shocked Avril and send you all my heartfelt love for you and Nigel.
I am so sorry to hear of Nigel’s passing. He was honestly one of the nicest people I have ever met and I’ll cherish my memories on the riverbank with him. Delfur just won’t be the same without you both there, but I hope that in time things become easier for you and we can enjoy a drink together and reminisce about an absolute legend of a man.
My heart is broken for you – Nigel and you have always been the kindest and most amazing team to work with in my 15 years in Glasgow. Always so welcoming, no task is ever too much and it makes our life in what can be a pretty tough environment more enjoyable.
I am so saddened to hear this. I am completely shocked to be honest. I had a lot of respect for Nigel. Always met me at the top of the stairs with a genuine smile. Always went out his way for a chat. Just a really genuine good guy.
I met Nigel with you and at your office on several occasions. He was always charming and welcoming with a very calm manner that left a lasting impression. That’s such a difficult thing to do in the hectic way that we operate within the day to day of working life. I suspect that you will be overwhelmed (but not surprised) by the number of kind messages and fond tributes for Nigel that you receive when people who knew you both receive this news.
Lovely Cards
