It is with great sadness that I have been asked to inform you that Mike Hickling (1961 - 68) sadly passed away at the beginning of August.

Mike's good friend Dave Dando sent in a few words about Mike.

I suppose we all remember our first day at school. 

The first "newchie " I met was Mike Hickling. Little did we know that for the next seven years we would be in the same dorm,  the same class and do the same A Levels.  It would have been hard not to be friends, although at times we gave it our best efforts! 

We spent time at each others houses in the holidays and at the end of the fifth form hitch-hiked through France together. 

I only saw him a couple of times in our student years, then there followed a period of some forty years until we met again through the wonder of the Internet.   I remarked that he looked exactly like his father did, but considerably older!  

I have attached a photo of Mike with Fiona and me on our narrowboat,  also a picture of him enjoying the English summer. 

He came on holiday with us on our narrowboat with his wife,  Giovanna, a couple of times,  and we had planned a Far East cruise, which didn't happen due to Covid. 

We were in telephone contact regularly,  re scheduling the cruise and planning other adventures when we were coming to visit him in Australia.   All now not to be. 

A sad loss. 

Mike lived in Victoria, Australia.

A celebration of his life is to be held on Thursday 17 August at

Black Rock Yacht Club, Half Moon Bay, 10 Cerberus Wy, Black Rock VIC 3193, Australia.