The following are transcripts of words shared by Andrew, Dave and Nigel at the service to commemorate our beloved friend Simon ‘Spike’ Mullings on Tuesday September 24th 2024.
Welcome & Opening Words – Andrew Dunnett
My name’s Andrew – A close friend of Spike.
Welcome everyone and thank you all for coming to share together some of our precious memories and to celebrate the many wonderful qualities of a remarkable man.
The past weeks have been difficult for all of us.
But of course, it has been unimaginably devastating for Gill, Sharon, Mel, Maisie and Sonny.
In loss, we are reminded of the love we feel for someone.
So hard to put into words. We are more than words. Spike is much more than words.
But I’ve tried to find some. Some borrowed from the extraordinary tributes already lovingly made – A testimony to a wonderful colleague, fantastic friend, beloved Son, Brother, Husband and Dad.
Spike was thoroughly authentic. A one off.
To his colleagues – dedicated, an expert, a mentor, an inspiration – but he would never say that of himself.
To those he helped – an advocate, a warrior a fierce fighter (but the most gentle of men.)
To his friends – thoughtful, generous, kind and charming. talented (God how talented).
Brilliant, intelligent, (fiercely so … just light the touch paper and off he’d go!)
Passionate – a force of nature – modest and challenging (in a good way!)
Fun, Funny, Really funny.
Daft. The funniest in the room. We’ll always remember his laugh.
We could be ourselves with him. He brought out the best in us.
To his family – and actually to many of us here - devoted, protective, nurturing, loving.
So intensely proud of Mel, Maisie and Sonny.
Cherished and beloved by us all.
A life dedicated to the law and social justice - David Emmerson
Good afternoon, everybody.
Let’s get this celebration of Spike’s life underway, with a snapshot of his career and achievements.
Who knew such a humble guy could have achieved so much. Mind, Mel’s view is that his greatest achievement was meeting her
In 1993 Spike moved to London from Leeds to be with Mel.
He was looking for work and I was a partner at Edwards Duthie. They had office moves, so Spike and Nick Emmerson, my brother were employed as removal men, shifting things like fax machines and filing cabinets – -- for the younger members here, please Google those references. Spike also clerked crime and family court cases– where he got his first taste of law for the people.
Mel had studied at Warwick University and became friends with Sue James, who was important in developing Spike’s fascination with housing law. Spike knew where the real Rock ‘n Roll was -
Interviewed by Charles Newman - Spike was taken on as a paralegal at Edwards Duthie, even though he did not have the usual Solicitor’s or Barrister’s qualifications, - or even a law degree…… The Rest is Housing Law history.
He was delighted when he won the LALY, - the Social Welfare, Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year award in 2020.
Over the last decade Spike became involved in the politics of law. He was the co-chair of HLPA with Marina Sergides. They revitalised the association and their video podcasts during lockdown, including musical interludes, were both a comfort and an inspiration to many. –
He was as comfortable working for clients on the front line, as he was preparing cases for the Supreme court; making representations to government or giving evidence to select committees.
He was passionate about acting for those who were marginalised, and he was intolerant of prejudice and discrimination.
Spike moved from, what became Edwards Duthie Shamash, to Hammersmith and Fulham Law Centre in 2022.
You can plot Spike’s career by his facial hair. You will see in the photo montages that in the early nineties, Spike was clean shaven. Later, a small distinguished, intellectual, goatee appeared. The beard became fuller and greyer and in recent years, he went full ZZ Top. - He was often mistaken for barrister David Watkinson’s love child.
Throughout three decades in law, Spike has been an inspiration to those starting out in the profession, and there are many moving examples in the on-line tributes.
Throughout all the stages of his life, he has made great friends - and long after we have forgotten about his career, his cases, and his book writings , - we will remember the friendship we had with him.
We are very lucky to have known him.
Guitar Man – Spike & Music – Nigel Lister
It’s been humbling to see the recent tributes, to my brilliant friend’s work as a housing lawyer, because to me he was always a musician.
I can still see the first time I met him. Three blokes in biker jackets turned up on my doorstep in Leeds / and asked me to join their band.
It was 1990 and they were the Snapdragons-
They had a record deal. They’d recorded a Peel session. They’d played the Marquee! And they were going to pay me.
For those of you familiar with Spike the sweetly singing purveyor of folk classics and Americana, this was a different beast. Spike was a ferocious bass player
and locked tight with Pel on drums / this loud, visceral indie band, swung like a hammer.
The gigs were great, but our friendship grew over long hours together in the recording studio.
Spike’s talent and innate musicality was clear from the off. I marvelled as Spike taught himself to play dulcimer for one track, casually laying down some Hammond organ for another. Vocal harmonies, string arrangements, a kaleidoscope of guitars and amps, it was our playground, and he was in his element.
Of course, around this time Spike met and fell in love with the gorgeous Mel, happy days in their garden at Windsor Road: Their addictive enthusiasm- for books, cinema, art and music, politics- the stuff of life-.
And then along came little Maisie, / who I would always tell, “I held you when you were three days old!” Spike said, “she can be your Godless daughter.” What an honour.
Life ebbs and flows but music was always a constant. The communal singing of their Christmas Eve parties.
The music festival in their back garden, curated by Spike for Mel’s 50th. Gigs with Ned around Forest Gate,
And his absolute passion for making his own electric guitars. He was back in the playground and thriving.
Two years ago, I married them on a beach on the Isle of Bute. Of course there was music- we sang, we swam /
Sonny spellbound us with poetry, Spike and Mai made us cry with theirs…
A few days before their second wedding anniversary he came over to the house again. We spent a very happy, very typical afternoon playing- working out songs with acoustic guitars.
At one point I went over to the piano and played the opening descending chords from ABBA’s S.O.S. ‘Thirds’ I said-
“it’s the same harmony they sing in the chorus- thirds!”
He beamed with typically Spike enthusiasm.
I don’t have many friends who would either care or understand. But Spike did and I loved him for it, and I always will.
Words of farewell and notices - Andrew Dunnett
Thank you so much everyone for being here together. For sharing our love for Spike and our support for his family and friends.
Like all of us, I have been profoundly aware of Spike’s presence in the past weeks. How much he meant to us. How loved he was.
We see and hear him in the most ordinary of places. We think of things we want to tell him. We catch glimpses of him – a robin at the back of our garden. A Butterfly.
Let’s take that love we feel with us as we leave this service together. Let it grow not diminish. Then let it flourish and resonate in our hearts forever like a collective chorus of love and laughter.
For our darling Spike.
For our Lovely Boy.
