Nigel McArthur - some memories of Mike Snell.

Like some others here today, I first met Mike at Aston University - we were both studying Quantity Surveying and had also been allocated to the same Halls of Residence. In subsequent years we shared flats, including the unforgettable address of “One thousand one hundred and fifty four A Hall Green Road”, it was a (perhaps less than salubrious) flat over a small Italian cafe - with I recall a continuous aroma of coffee, Mike remembered it more for the morning he woke to find the roof had leaked into the fluorescent light fitting where it had frozen solid !  But as with his approach to other events, Mike was not dramatic about this, and calmly removed the shade and block of ice before it thawed!


Mike undoubtedly worked more conscientiously than his peers - some of us found the Union Bar more of a distraction.  He helped me during prep for exam time, we planned a strategy to pressure and nag tutors about different challenging subject areas - and when they steered us away suggesting we shouldn’t spend too much time revising this or that - we both knew what wasn’t going to be in the papers !  


After University our lives flowed in separate directions - both in careers and distance, but Mike was always assiduous in keeping in touch, attending our family events and visiting us regularly, alway naturally planned around his hockey, we also enjoyed occasionally watching him umpiring. When visiting he invariably would bring a game or thoughtful gift for the family - something he continued into last year with the gift of a Hampshire puzzle when we retired to the County.


We enjoyed sharing his company, we recall especially a walk last summer when we were able to introduce our first grandchild, his fun then was genuine and it enabled us to share some joy in Covid year.  


In all those years, I cannot recall Mike speaking ill of anyone, it simply wasn’t in his nature. He was a unique and unfailing friend; interesting to be with, genuine, and kind. 


He asked little of others, the neglect of which will be my enduring regret.


28.4.21