As our only Uncle, we always looked forward to seeing Kit either at our house in Selsey or Grannie and Grandpa’s in South Warnborough. Despite not having children of his own, he always got involved with playtime and one of my clearest memories as a child is how he used to pretend to, and sometimes very nearly, sit on me! Often screaming the house down, half with laughter, and half with fear that he might actually sit on me! His table manners weren’t always the best and one saying he taught me and Matthew from a young age was whenever someone “accidentally” belched, one of us would say “How dare you belch in front of my mother” to which the belcher would reply “I’m sorry I didn’t know it was her turn!” As children we found this hilarious and would often repeat or initiate the saying just to annoy Mum and Grannie. It even happened at Christmas just gone! Kit took after Grannie with his politically correct English often pointing out when I had used a word that wasn’t used how it was meant to be. Most recently, would be my response to most things as being “cool” to which he’d reply along the lines with “that’s not cold.” When it came to family board games, if it was a quiz game, he would always know the answer and be first to chip in when you didn’t know. He had such an obscure field of knowledge that would often lead me to think “How do you even know that?!” His satirical jokes and intellectual comments often went over my head; it seemed to get worse as I got older, especially when Dad and Matthew joined in! But that was just Kit, always being the smartest in the room while also knowing full well that I wouldn’t know what he was talking about which would often lead to his comedic pleasure. This is something that Josh’s mum and sister picked up on rather quickly while playing a game of Guess Who at Christmas where instead of writing “Beethoven” he put “Ludwig van Beethoven.” As Sharon and Chloe read the names they looked up at him and he gave them his smile with pride that he had achieved the response he wanted! He probably thought we’d all think of the dog Beethoven not the musician!! Since the loss of my last Grandparent in 2022, our Christmas’ have been very different in that Josh and I have hosted the family in Norwich with Josh’s parents extending invites to include them at their house too. Kit loved visiting us in Norfolk, it probably helped that we’re 15 minutes from the Norfolk broads and have Toby, our Cockapoo puppy, but he always went with it in true laid back Kit style and joined in with whatever mayhem was thrown his way. This included a personal performance from our 6 year old niece Bella with her new microphone and DJ set! It was such a special moment to watch as it definitely would’ve been something I would have done as a little girl! I’ll always be thankful to Kit for letting me stay with him in Worcester Park on and off for 2 years between 2018-2020 which allowed me to achieve my ambition of working in the West End as a Costume Assistant and Deputy. Without his generosity I wouldn’t have been able to afford to work and stay in London nor have the life experience of being in the City on a daily basis. Having always lived by himself with no one to be responsible for, I think he had a sudden feeling of what that was like as he would always stay up until I got home, normally 11.30pm at the earliest even though I’d message him to say I was on my way back! I was very pleased to be able to say thank you back by getting him complimentary or reduced tickets to see my shows, often with his friend Chris. I was also able to take him as my plus one to Sir Ian McKellan’s opening night of his 80th Birthday stage tour including a pass to the after party where we did a lot of celeb spotting! During my stay with him, I also enjoyed getting to know his local area and often joined him on dog walks with Kaiser whenever he was looking after him. Josh and I will always remember Kit’s warmth and happiness towards our puppy Toby. Kit loved Toby, often calling him “Scamp” or “Scallywag.” It breaks our hearts that he wont be able to take Toby on any birdwatching trips to the broads or Holkham beach. We got Kit a photo of him and Toby for Christmas, and we’ll always take comfort in knowing that the photo was one of the only presents he had unpacked from Christmas and placed by his bedside. With Josh and I recently getting engaged and looking forward to our wedding next April, we’re absolutely devastated that Kit won’t be there. However, I am so glad that we all visited the Church at Christmas and showed him where we will be getting married. Kit, knowing you have been there and having the memory of us taking a walk, a rather wet walk, around the fields there will help us feel close to you on the day and I’ll be forever grateful for that. I’m sure you’ll be raising a glass with us! Thank you Kit for being the best Uncle and for everything you have done for us. We miss you. Lots of love always, Sarah Josh and Toby xxx