I never imagined that a chance meeting in a bar called ‘Angels’ in Birminghams’ gay village would lead to a joyous adventure, filled with love and happiness lasting 25 years. But it did. From that first Sunday night in November 1998 right until the end in November 2023.
Born in Fife, February 22nd, 1972 to loving parents Neil and Mary and along with his elder sister – Melanie, Andrew was the final component in this little family unit. Growing up in Newport-on-Tay and going to school in St. Andrews, Andrew developed an aptitude for painting, a love for animals (through the various pets the family kept) and a passion for the music of Kate Bush.
He went to the University of Edinburgh where he studied Architecture, eventually moving to Birmingham to do his Masters Degree. His professional career saw him working as an Architect and Interior Designer for numerous companies and on many projects – designing clubs, bars, restaurants, public spaces and latterly more and more retail concessions, often for “high-end, “luxury” brands – something that caused no end of ironic eye-rolling from him. Although he enjoyed the quick turnaround of this type of work, he could see right through the sham of these aspirational entities and their promise of a life improved. Andrew had very little interest in the material things of this world. He was, in this sense, a simple man. And a very intelligent one.
A design conscious, creative, deep thinker with an anti-establishment attitude, bone dry sense of humour and an air of mystery (even after 25 years) along with his slightly self-conscious streak, infact, made Andrew a rare gem of a man – treasured by all those who were lucky enough to know and love him. His cheeky, gap-toothed grin had a knack for making everything in the world feel just fine. Gentle and loving, he would do virtually anything to help anyone out – especially his friends.
His life in London for the last 20 or so years saw him continue his professional practice whilst trying to create a fantastic home – something he showed no end of enthusiasm and dedication to, continually rolling his sleeves up and getting stuck into, not just the design but the hard, dirty work of renovating an old Edwardian flat conversion in Lewisham.
For all the countless hours spent wide-eyed on dance-floors at all night parties, clubs and festivals over the years, Andrew was never happier than at home. Be it drawing 3D thingamajigs on his computer, laying in bed watching trashy TV or sat with the cat on his lap as he showered her with (often unrequited) affection.
In June 2023, after months of uncertainty and inconclusive tests, Andrew was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. Having endured two very successful operations to remove the tumours from his bowel and liver, he started a course of chemotherapy in September 2023. Halfway through this intensive and gruelling treatment he suffered a cardiac arrest whilst at home and a brain injury so severe, there was no coming back. He never regained consciousness and died three days later, on November 22nd, 2023 in hospital, surrounded by his friends and family.
Right until the very end, Andrew did what he had always done – he gave his absolute all. Throughout the uncertainty, devastation and sheer hell of his cancer journey, Andrew continued as best he could – keeping things running like normal and even working during his treatment. He was incredibly scared but he kept going. And he kept loving.
His sudden and, to a large degree, unexpected departure has left a huge hole in the world and in so many people’s lives. Unlike the gaps and cracks in the structure of the flat in Lewisham, it’s a hole that cannot be filled. He will be missed and loved forever.
Andrew had a bit of an obsession with pyramids, their mysticism and relation to the Sun and he had more than a passing interest in numerology. His birth date, the 22nd was also his death date and having died on the 22nd of November it seems fitting to partake in a ceremony taking place on the 23rd. Andrew knew about the People’s Pyramid and found it funny and interesting.
Since he has gone, I often find myself thinking back to how the owners of that bar in Birmingham were spot on with its name. I mean, walking into a bar and happening upon a stranger who you end up sharing 25 magnificent years with is one thing. But walking into a bar and having Andrew appear in your life is entirely another. They changed the name of the place sometime ago. It’s now called ‘Sidewalk’, not ‘Angels’.
With eternal love, Darren.