RIP Bargepole

[drmoss_ca]

Michael Bywater, known here (and elsewhere) as Bargepole, has died. SMF was the second place where I had run across him on the internet. I had a subscription to Punch for many years before it folded, and had read his column with delight. But in October 1994, in the list of new members for the e-mail circular "Pipes Digest" issue #161 was the name Michael Bywater. This excited me, as I knew him as Bargepole and was aware of his close association with Douglas Adams - Michael was the model for Dirk Gently, of the Holistic Detective Agency. Two weeks later in issue#163 he started the first of a series of hilarious posts:

Subject: SYMPATHY FOR AMERICAN SMOKERS

I just have to say how sorry I feel for all you US pipesmokers, driven out
of doors, into basements, behind cowsheds and eventually insane by the
intolerance of your fellows.

Can't imagine how you put up with it.

Here we at least retain some of the tradition of tolerance. And we haven't
quite fallen for all the nonsense about sidestream smoking. (Not my
opinion. The opinion of a senior medical statistician in a certain
government department. Direct quote? Certainly: "Sidestream smoking? It's
balls. There's more health risk in inhaling other people's farts. Typical
perversion of statistics to serve the interests of certain scientists,
followed by typical Press incomprehension." Not my words. His.)

My sympathies to you all. Still, at least you're allowed to buy guns. At
least crack is freely available. At least... ah well. Smoke in peace.

--
Michael Bywater

And so it began. Witty, erudite, gentlemanly, and always entertaining. In June 2006 he joined SMF (to correct Gordon in his first post!) In December 2007 he became a moderator and a good influence on all of us. He lived the life Gordon aspired to, visiting Trumper's regularly for haircuts and shaving supplies, whilst also immersed in the seedier, Soho, side of London journalism (Jeffrey Bernard was another friend until he died of cirrhosis). As well as SMF, we had another shared interest in Leica cameras, specifically their analog rangefinders. He had flown solo across Australia with one, photographing as he went. He often mused about publishing a book on the adventure, but never got around to it. His other books are worth a read if you appreciate his humour. Lost Worlds. What have we lost and where did it go? was an elegy for aspects of British culture missing in action (including a delightful essay on Dunhill Baby's Bottom), Big Babies a lament for the immaturity of modern society. The Chronicles of Bargepole is out of print now, but a used copy may be found if you have a mind to see what Punch used to be like. I have missed him these last years as he succumbed to his illness, but I'm grateful for having known him.
Full obituary in The Times (for non-subscribers, an archive is here.)

C.

[CMur12]

Thank you, Chris.

At first glance, I was delighted to think that Bargepole had posted here again. Then I noted the "RIP." I didn't know he had been ill.

I'm saddened by the news, as I always appreciated his witty and well-written contributions to this forum. I never knew much about him, but he always seemed like someone I would like to meet.

- Murray

[woodsrider]

I also recall Bargepole from years gone by. Sad to hear of his passing…rest easy, Bargepole.

[EL Alamein]

This is sad news indeed. Michael was a wonderful contributor and I enjoyed his writing here.

I had one or two private exchanges with him and he was a great help and easy to communicate with.

Requiescat in pace.

[Antique Hoosier]

He was a delight to experience.
Rest in Peace