Ivor

Ivor Noot

If you haven’t already heard, we’re very sad to tell you that Ivor passed away peacefully, his family with him, on Sunday 13th April 2008

One of Ivor's best friends, Jonathan Emberton, was on hand to give us a brief summary about Ivor, and his orienteering:

(If anyone here today was concerned about what to wear, if not black, then Ivor would have had a word of advice for you, "trainers". I don't think I ever saw Ivor wear a pair of shoes! For teaching, training, relaxing, this was Ivor's footwear of choice and says a lot to us about his approach to life)

I want to reflect on Ivor as a friend. A very good friend. To me, my family, the many people here today and to countless people who's life he touched. At the last look, over 900 people have read the warm appreciations of his life written on the online orienteering newsgroup. The themes of companionship, conversation and his innate gentlemanly approach to other people will be familiar with you all.

Ivor was passionate about life. He was passionate about many things, some familiar and some less well known. It was this energy and enthusiasm which made time spent with him so rich. He always wanted to share it and he always wanted to know about thing from your point of view. This made friendship so easy, conversation so rich and time spent together so fulfilling.

Last Sunday I started a list which I have added to over the week as memories of my time with Ivor developed. They all have passion as a theme: I believe, and I know he agreed, that when you recall time well spent with someone, they are with you. This is how Ivor will always be with us in the future.

We know his passion for Orienteering was deep. His joy at running through wild places with a map and a sense of purpose was infectious. He loved to compete and did so at the highest level, National Championships, JK titles and the enormous pride of competing for England. Hide and seek amongst the boxes of an Oban supermarket carpark after celebrating our podiums. He ran in over 20 countries but was as happy training at Ogden Water. He just loved 'being out there'.

He put back as much as he gained from the sport. We planned events together often and his, 'let's sort it', practical approach to life was never better exemplified than when we realised after dark the day before a Christmas eve event that we had made a fatal error in the programming of the controls. "See you at 5am then, we’ll get them all back in, re-program them and get them back out, no one will notice". He then drove to Southhampton for a family Christmas.

Citroen cars have already been mentioned. It was a privilege for me to drive the last few of the 325000 thousand miles that finished off the famous BX estate on Steep Lane. "I'm glad you had some use from it" he said as we headed for the scrap yard. Strolling around a vintage car rally last summer Will and I listened, fixated by the tales and deep knowledge of Citroens, Jowetts, Alvises and Austins past.
Bikes. Our shared love of the Rock Lobster, rides on or off road. "Come on Jonathan, fettling time", as we headed for the shed or cellar. "Do you know what Duffers has just said… " the greeting every time I arrived to share, (note the share), an afternoon in front of Eurosport. The Spanish kilometres lovingly described over the Michelin map. The blossom will be great in Andalucia today.

The bike and the "fat boy breakfast". What a life affirming combination. The best ever in the garden of a campsite owner on Offa's Dyke, their campsite closed by Foot and Mouth. I woke to a plateful, Ivor having spent an hour ‘yacking’ to the owner about.. well, everything. Or was it the 40th birthday special in Bala, at least 5 shops visited to get the 'just right' ingredients.

Food and drink recur. There must be many of us here who can enjoy toast in the great outdoors courtesy of a coat hanger and baking tray toaster, lovingly refined, constructed and given as the perfect present. Freshwater, Fidden, Bala, the great outdoor kitchen opportunities. Nod if you can see him stooping over the pans in the back of the Citroen getting tea and porridge (yes that again!) for himself, but of course, for anybody else who needed it. "Antioxidant Jonathan?", as we justified Cote de Rhone red after a great day's exercise. Raise a glass next time you enjoy this.

The Green Express, The Ratty, Tal y Lynn. The steam train passion. What a great photo of Ivor on the foot plate in Edinburgh station with my young son shortly before cheering as we beat 100mph downhill on Shap. The trainspotter, sat with us for the day, experienced the full, rounded conversation treatment… 12 hours of it.

We end our hard terrain loop around Ogden in a special place. A heathery, birch clad knoll in Spice Cake Hills. Ivor pants, always 'going deep'. He straightens, looks round, smiles. "It's great to be alive".

I met Ivor a few weeks after our daughter Beth was born, returning to orienteering to be met at our first event by a passionate, a gentle, a human – man. Ivor is in mine and countless others' lives in this way. He drew these qualities out of all people with a special ability to connect with those younger than himself. That is why we love him. We have been enriched by him.

The May Day assembly of around 200 people at Ogden was a fantastic tribute to Ivor. We walked from the dam wall to a beautiful knoll summit in Spice Cake Hills where we gathered, listened to the birds, smelt the vegetation and thought about Ivor. He often said this place could easily be in the Lakes, Scotland, Cannock or Scandinavia and how he liked to imagine running in these places when he was really just 2 miles from home !

A snaking, follow my leader, Ivor terrain run, a string course and walk occupied us all with Ogden at its spring time best before re gathering at Paulettes for a sociable afternoon of food and drink. A fitting and moving day. Ivor would have loved it!

Any donations to Myeloma UK c/o Lawrence Funeral Services, Green Hayes, Bell Hall, Halifax, HX1 2XR.

East Pennine Orienteering Club