R.I.P David Watt

[Terminator]

It is is with the greatest of regrets that I have to inform the forum that at around 9am this morning David Watt I am led to believe was found to have passed away in his sleep! Having left the village this am on or around that time on my return later that day I was informed of Davids passing. It has come as a great shock to me personally like a thunderbolt and so totally unexpected! Those of us that came to know David over many years will be heartbroken at his sudden passing.

David always had time for everyone and he was always willing to stop and talk to you about his Campbell experiences etc. Sharing his stories and always willing to show his pictures and scrapbooks he had put together over the years. Having know David for the best part of twenty years in that time I have only ever once witness David annoyed by a tourist who had moved the cone David has placed outside his front door as he was expecting a delivery. The tourist moved the cone and parked his car, David on seeing this ignorant,pompous individual alighting from his car promptly marched outside picked up the cone and slammed it on the bonnet of the car! The tourist reared up at this but went promptly back in his cage when David gave him both barrels! "Now Move it" he said"which the tourist quickly complied with as some locals came to see what was going on to have caused David to become so annoyed.
Approx two years ago David was knocked down by a reversing car in the village by Barclay's Bank and upon visiting him in hospital he was in a bad way! With people of that age it can go either way, either a full recovery or go down hill very quickly. I was glad to see David slowly made a full recovery at that time and went from strength to strength and this is why I suppose his sudden passing has hit me hard, totally unexpected!

David could always be seen walking his beloved dogs and would ways stop and chat even though the dogs wanted to continue their walk. A kind lovely unassuming man who will be sadly missed by many of us Campbell enthusiasts. Only the other day David appeared at Pier Cottage and was shocked by what he saw on the slip way. David was leaving and I insisted Julie give him a lift back to the village as it was beginning to rain. I saw David one last time this week whilst delivering the papers around the village and we spoke for a short while before his dog was pulling at the lead wanting to be on his way.

He will be sadly missed by many.
Rest in Piece Old Friend Rest in Peace.
Novie

[sheppane]

This is profoundly sad news.

David was a very fine and gentle man. As purveyor of the most famous bobble hat in history, he has a special place in the hearts of Campbell enthusiasts, for whom he always had an abundance of time. He came along to the book launch, and we bumped into him at Pier Cottage last Friday, where he was his usual happy self. Coniston is a much poorer place with his passing.

Rest in peace David

David Watt.jpg

Image © A Stuchbury. With thanks.

[Digitaljunior]

We met David when we were doing 'Cambells Coniston Postcards' and decided to call into his hardware store on the 22nd October.

He spoke very well of the 'Bluebird' days and how you could hear the roar of the engines people would go down to the shore.

We enjoyed the brief discussion in the shop that day and I am very saddened by this news.

[Renegadenemo]

I have only one vague memory of meeting David when I bought a dog lead from him for my madcap, Coniston-born collie, both of which I still have.
And that might have been all, but for a strange coincidence recently when researching the last details of K7's instrument panel. Paul Allonby's famous shot almost did the trick but not quite so I called him to ask whether he might just have another tucked away that maybe wasn't so good but which might contain clues. He told me no, but maybe David did as he was always snapping away back in 66/67 and, as he was a good friend of Robbie Robinson, perhaps that would be a good way to be introduced. I duly called Robbie who spoke with David and a search for clues ensued, sadly without result but the thought was there. What I do recall is the warmth that came across whenever David was mentioned and as such individuals are living history and completely irreplaceable I always feel their loss keenly whether I knew them personally or not.
They're also an inspiration to us and a motive force to our project. Donald, Ken and Lew Norris, Corporal Evans, David Watt.
We'll do you proud.

[Terminator]

The air is still this morning as is the lake, a deep sadness is oh so evident in the village this day. The tragic sudden loss of a man who was so well liked by many but stayed in the back ground like part of the scenery, but always happy to help out when asked to do so with anything. It just occurred to me this am whilst passing Davids shop on the mountain bike. It was only but a short time ago that whilst Dawn and I were working on Panels in the Ruskin Museum David suddenly appeared one morning and had come to see the work we were doing. He promptly sat and listened as we explained what it was Dawn and I were doing in order to bring the project forward as fast as we could by doing homework. He was one of the few locals that truly appreciated the workmanship and attention to detail that was going into K7 to restore her back to her former glory in honour of our Hero. Not to mention the elbow grease. David was only the second member of this community to lend a helping hand that day and actually showed an interest in the work being done by Dawn and I.
Donald Malcolm Campbell C.B.E was certainly David's Hero without question and he had a remarkable collection of photo's and cuttings from the day. A good man with a big heart and yet another one that will never see Bluebird K7 return because of those thankless H.L.F morons!!!!!!!!!!!! Anger for me is beyond words this day at the time wasted by political moves and bureaucrats seeking their own ends and wasting four valuable years !!

R.I.P Dear David.
Novie

[f1steveuk]

I spent many many happy hours with David, and a more gentle, genuine and unassuming man you'd be hard pressed to find.

Over the years, a cup of tea in the sitting room behind the shop featured less and less of the scrap books (which I do hope end up at the Ruskin) and Donald Campbell, and I got a chance to find a little more out about David, but he was such a private individual, you left without actually adding to your knowledge of him but richer for the experience of sharing time with him.

Coniston will never be the same without him, the epitome of a TRUE Campbell follower.

[lsrdatabase]

[quote="sheppane"]This is profoundly sad news.

David was a very fine and gentle man. Coniston is a much poorer place with his passing.

I only met David a couple of times but as has been said by so many, he was a fine and gentle person, he reminds me very much of Ken Norris.

Rest in peace David

Regards to all, Fred

[Terminator]

Hi One and All.
Just to let everybody know the funeral of Mr. David Watt will be held at 2pm in St Andrews Church Coniston on Monday 21st November 2011. If you cannot make this date then I would ask all that knew David to please send a card as the family is devastated at his sudden passing!! I'm sure it would give them great comfort at this sad time to know how many people David had help and spoken to over the years regarding Donald Campbell and Bluebird K7. If there are any further developments or information I will keep you informed.

Yours sincerely
Novie

[malcolm uk]

Novie

Business will keep me from the village. Can you send me a PM with an address to use for the family?

Thanks, Malcolm

[Terminator]

Hi Sorry about that Sir Pittwood and one and all. Davids Sister and her Husband lived with David in the same house so I guess you would address it to her and family. I think David only had the one sister Mrs. Elizabeth Cooper but could be wrong? Anyway the address to send cards to David Watts Relations is -

Mrs. Elizabeth Cooper or
To The Late Family of David W. Watt
Station Road
Coniston
LA21 8HH.

Not quite sure what the protocol is to be perfectly honest.
Cheers
Novie