8mm Forum: Very Sad News Indeed.

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Topic: Very Sad News Indeed.

Paul Barker
Master Film Handler

Posts: 395
From: Lancashire, England
Registered: Jun 2014

posted November 23, 2017 09:23 AM

it is very sad indeed when a well known film collector and a film dealer pass away.Don Sykes from southport in the UK passed away last week. he was 85. Don was a keen film collector. showing films in his younger days when in the RAF.and doing projection at the blackpool film fair.his son did it this year.i knew him personaly. and like all that knew him, he will be greatly missed.also Steve Wellings passed away a short time ago. Steve worked at Derann for many years. dealing with 16mm mainly. after Derann closed he set up himself selling 16mm films.i know many on here will remember him well. especially those who used to attend Deranns open days in Dudley.

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Dave Groves
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 508
From: Southend on Sea, Essex, UK
Registered: Feb 2015

posted November 23, 2017 10:24 AM

Paul, that's a shock. I knew of Don over the years but never had dealings with him. But I often spoke with Steve on my numerous calls to Derann. Time is, sadly, marching on and taking so many nearer the day when the old projector becomes just too heavy to lift or we're no longer around to lift it. I miss some of the old names.

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Dave

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Kevin Clark
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 978
From: Bapchild, Kent, UK
Registered: May 2004

posted November 23, 2017 04:04 PM

I'm very sad to hear of the passing of Don & Steve and send my sincere condolences to both their respective families, friends and loved ones - I never met Don in person but traded with him both ways on Ebay and conversed here a few times very recently by PM.

Steve was a great ambassador for 16mm when he worked for Derann for many years before they closed and later when he sold films himself for a couple of years. I remember he saw how happy I was to finally find and purchase an IB Tech 16mm Pluto's Christmas Tree on his Derann table at one of the BFCC events and will think of him when I watch the print again this Christmas.

Kevin.

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David Guest
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1704
From: Lancashire, UK
Registered: Oct 2011

posted November 23, 2017 05:22 PM

yes don passed away last Friday his funeral is next Thursday 30th nov at southport crematorium at ten past one he was a very good friend of mine and will be missed he was at my home 3 weeks ago picking up a film and having a cuppa of tea and a good chat then a couple of days later suffered a stroke ,steve welling was also a very good friend of mine which I new for over 20 years and visited him regular. he phoned me in January and offered me a mamouth list of 16mm films all top titles inc goldfinger and great escape as well as loads of top notch Disney cartoons .he told me he had only 3 months to live and told me not to tell anyone which I respected his wishes. I was pleased that he offered my his very large collection of films all which were in mint condition rip don and steve

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Clyde Miles
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 205
From: Bromsgrove, UK
Registered: Nov 2013

posted November 23, 2017 05:43 PM

dave, thank you for sharing, best clyde.

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David Hardy
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015

posted November 23, 2017 05:48 PM

That's very very very sad news about the passing of both Don and Steve. They will both be greatly missed.

I am really shocked about Steve's passing as I was about to contact him for his latest 16mm lists.

The prints he has sold me in the past will now be cherished more than ever.

My condolences to both their families and close friends.

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" My equipment's more important than your rats. "

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David Guest
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1704
From: Lancashire, UK
Registered: Oct 2011

posted November 23, 2017 05:51 PM

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David Hardy
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015

posted November 23, 2017 06:08 PM

I can remember having a conversation with Steve some time ago.
He was very sad at the passing of his sister at that time.
Steve was somewhat rather depressed at that time.
I sympathised with him and offered him some words of encouragement for which he was most grateful.

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" My equipment's more important than your rats. "

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Gary Brocklehurst
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 172
From: West Bromwich, West Midlands, England
Registered: Apr 2006

posted November 25, 2017 04:20 AM

I began work at 16, as Steve's assistant in the 16mm library. We continued to work together for the next 35 years or so until the unfortunate closure of Derann. I must state that Steve was one of the good people in life, kind, gentle, extremely knowledgeable and totally honest. I was aware of his illness, having visited him in hospital and at home, also attending his funeral. Steve did not want anyone to be aware of his plight, however, which of course I respected. Thanks for the memories mate. I will never, ever forget you x
I am also sad to hear of the passing of Don Sykes and pass on my regards to his loved ones and friends

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Melvin England
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 707
From: Hull, East Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Feb 2016

posted November 25, 2017 05:58 AM

It is always very sad to learn of the passing of any of our fraternity and my sympathy goes out to both Don and Steve's families.

As one of those people who has difficulty putting faces to names,as may be the case with others on this forum, may I respectfully request if someone can post a photograph of both Don and Steve on this thread,please?

Thank you.

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"My name is for my friends!"

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Tom Photiou
Film God

Posts: 4837
From: Plymouth U.K
Registered: Dec 2003

posted November 25, 2017 06:12 AM

Very sad news, i wasn't fortunate enough to meet Don although i know he was very well known within our hobby, Steve's death is also a shock, i didn't expect that at all.
We did meet Steve many years ago at Ealing, had a good chat and also it is Steve who sold us our 16mm copy of Cromwell, i will view this again next Thursday evening in memory of him.
At the same event Steve had a super 8 trailer of Winchester 73, it was marked up for something like £20 but when Steve opened the box and saw 30ft of film he just looked at us a laughed and said, i cant take 20 off you for that, call it £8.
Always helpful on the phones to us, (as were ALL Derann staff).
Condolences to both families and friends.

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