FLIPPING BOOK CHRONICLE 2024

In all my many years of knowing them, I never heard them argue, criticise each other, have a cross word or even disagree. Mike supported Isla in all her equestrian endeavours and remained strongly devoted. As both Pippa and Sean spent much of their time at boarding school, I did not have extensive knowledge of the family interactions. Mike always spoke proudly of his children and I have no doubt that he was extremely supportive and generous in providing for their best possible education. He and Isla sacrificed a lot to enable Pippa and Sean to achieve their best. Farewell His own dog bit Mike a few months before his death. The bite site would not heal, which eventually led to his hospitalisation. The wounds were surgically cleansed and the antibiotics effective, but inadequate blood supply to his leg, despite a stent being implanted, hindered improvement. His toes were amputated in order to save his leg, but it was too much for his system in the end. Mike’s difficult journey has come to an end, but he can be assured that his loving wife Isla will be well cared for by his closest relatives. In monetary terms Mike’s life was not particularly successful, but his humanity towards others, honest professionalism and integrity were exemplary.

amorous onslaught.

well established.

Mike introduced me to Round Table in 1968. It was a wonderful fellowship organization for young men who were energetic and socially very active. At a dinner party with Prue and David Wimble, my wife Jean, unbeknown to us, dropped a clove of garlic into Mike’s red wine. Mike stealthily lifted Jean from her chair and locked her in the boot of his car together with his golf clubs. She carried out deep breathing to stay alive, while the rest continued with the meal. After a while we noted that Jean was missing, at which Mike calmly walked out and returned with Jean in his arms and held her above the decorative candles in punishment for her heinous misdeed. This act required excellent balance and enormous strength, yet Mike managed it with nonchalant ease. On our very first trip to Mkuze Game Reserve with Mike and Isla, my brother kindly loaned us his Mercedes car, because it was far more reliable than our own vehicles. Mike happened to be at the wheel on an afternoon drive when a black rhino suddenly charged at us from behind a clump of dense bushes. Mike needed to reverse, but being in an unfamiliar vehicle, was unable to find the right gear. Fortunately, the rhino stopped in front of the vehicle, flipped its head and momentarily took cover before charging again. Fortunately, Mike had by then found the correct gear and moved us to safety. That encounter cemented our fear and respect of black rhinos. On a later trip, also to Mkuze, Isla was riding at the back of the Land Rover with Mike, and Jean was in front with the park guide. Isla was known to be pregnant and therefore swapped with Jean to avoid the extra bounce that was being generated at the rear. Jean spent the whole trip at the back to safeguard Isla’s embryonic baby. On our return we discovered that Jean was also pregnant and should have avoided those springy rides altogether. However, all ended well. What he enjoyed Mike loved cars and rallying. His passion started with his first car, which Bernard recalled as being a souped-up Renault. Bernard accompanied Mike as his navigator on his first rally down the South Coast, but confessed that he was of no help. Mike continued to rally in Kenya, where the sport was very competitive and

He enjoyed sports such as golf and particularly tennis amongst friends. He made sure he never missed the weekly Thursday tennis evenings with Brian Sheriffs, Gavin Elliott, Justin Henderson and others at Justin’s home in Henderson Road. He and Bernard played a lot of golf together, and on one occasion made the final of the Farrant Cup but lost on the 18th green when Mike four-putted against their opponents’ three putts. Mike was generally quiet, but thoroughly enjoyed interaction with small groups of close friends. Most of all, he enjoyed being home at HighBirnam with his beloved wife Isla and their two children. What was Mike actually like? He was quietly confident and assured but not shy. His daughter Pippa spoke to us about her parents and life a few days before she passed away. She described her father as caring and capable, but extremely stubborn. When he made up his mind about something, nothing could sway him. Mike was very professional in his career. He meticulously observed the highest standards expected of his profession. During his early days in practice, having done work through a Durban architect for a client, the client offered to pay their fees in notes from a suitcase, but Mike would not entertain anything that was not legal best practice. Mike always did his best for his clients. He was meticulous to the extreme and worked hard to meet his stated deadlines. He was giving in his attitude and served his profession as a committee member and chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal chapter. Steadfast and proud, he did not graciously accept charity. A few days before Christmas 2021, when he and Isla were due to host family on Christmas day, I noticed that they would have to prepare the Christmas meal with just one electric plate and no working oven. I repaired the oven and then bought them a new four plate electric hob, which I set into a piece of worktop, so that it could rest on top of their old stove. Mike would have none of it and insisted that I return the hob. Bernard recalled that in the early 1960s, Mike told him he had met a girl to whom he was attracted and would “no longer have eyes for anyone else”. He and Isla seemed to fit so naturally as a loving pair.

Rest in peace, honourable friend.

Written by: Nigel Folker

BIGGS, VIVYAN CHARLES Born 1935, Died 2024 Michaelhouse 1949-1952

Vivyan Charles Biggs, or “Viv” as he was known to most, was born in Pietermaritzburg on 24 March 1935 and passed away in Pietermaritzburg on 15 February 2024, a few weeks before his 89th birthday. His first taste of education was in Pietermaritzburg, where he attended the Convent then St Charles, followed by an unknown school in Johannesburg. These were difficult times for Viv and his mother Sue, a nurse, as his policeman father Wally was a prisoner of war in Italy. He attended Cordwalles from 1945

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