Sadly due to the current Covid situation numbers there are limited, but there will be a celebration of Nick's life with a few drinks and maybe speeches at daughter Nicola's pub, The Bulls Head in Youlgreave, from 2.30 onwards.

The cortege will leave the family home at 12.30 and pass through Bakewell on the way to Chesterfield

In the circumstances, those wishing to pay their respects are invited to form a "guard of honour" outside the Manners pub as the cortege passes by. We hope as many of you who knew Nick can make it.

BMRUFC

Nick Asquith

It was with great sadness that I received the news that Nic Asquith, my old team-mate at rugby, cricket and golf, and a dear friend had passed away.

I first encountered Nic when I was playing rugby with Bakewell Old Mannerians in the early 1970s. It was immediately obvious that he was a hugely talented sportsman and soon established himself as a pivotal player in the Bakewell side, mainly playing at prop alongside the likes of Garry Walker and David Oulsnam. After a couple of years playing in the 1st team it was evident that he was also a natural leader and he was elected captain in 1976. A position he held until he moved to play 1st class rugby with Nottingham in 1978.

At that time I was already playing at Nottingham alongside another ‘Old Mannerian’, John Pearce. Nic joined John as a regular fixture in the Nottingham front row and was soon showing selectors they were right in persuading him to join Nottingham.

Nic played over 100 games for Nottingham from 1978 - 1982. During that time, with Alan Davies, ( later National coach for Wales ), coaching at Nottingham, the team established itself as one of the premier clubs in England. Merit tables at the time regularly confirmed this. Whilst at Nottingham he was also regularly selected to play for the 3 Counties in the annual County Championship games.

Whilst playing at Nottingham Nic played against most of the top teams in the Country at the time. Such teams included Leicester, Harlequins, Saracens, Bath, Bristol, Northampton, Newcastle, Aberavon, and Gloucester. Teams that boasted many current and past international players. I played in most of 100 plus games Nic played in at Nottingham, many as his front row partner, and can confidently say that only on rare occasions was he troubled by his opposite number in his key role as tight head prop, no matter what the calibre of the opposition. He had that magical mixture of speed, strength and skill that made him a formidable player.

One of Nic’s first games at Nottingham was against Bristol. In the first few minutes of the game John Elliott, the Nottingham hooker and captain was injured and went off. There was no prop replacement at the time so I moved from second row to prop and John Pearce moved to hooker for the rest of the game. This meant that players from Bakewell rugby had provided the whole of the front row, which surely is something to be proud of ? No matter we lost the game, history had been made.

Another game I can recall where Nic’s strength and skills were put to the test was a game against Aberavon in his first season at Nottingham. After the first scrum the Nottingham front row of John Pearce, John Elliott and Nic stood up and all had blood pouring from head wounds. This game was at a time when rules governing behaviour at scrums hardly existed and were largely ignored anyway. Nic’s opposite prop was the current Wales prop who was intent on impressing watching Welsh selectors. Nic held firm and withstood the barrage he was receiving and eventually got the better of his opponent through determination and no little skill. Whether that prop played again for Wales, I do not know.

As well as enjoying playing rugby at Nottingham, Nic also enjoyed the social side of the game. Travelling the length and breadth of the Country meant the team had much time together. Amusing and humouring each other was essential and created a fine team spirit !

I can remember many journeys from Bakewell to Nottingham, either to play or train, often in Peter Nixon’s Renault 5 car. In the car with Peter ( 6ft 6in ) would be Peter Cook (6ft 2in ) me ( 6ft 3in ), and Nic ! We wondered why the car tended to roll quite a lot at speed ?

There are many other stories attached to his rugby playing days and I am sure that in better times in the future Norma will happily recall them for interested friends ?

After finishing his rugby playing career Nic took active interest in the promotion of rugby at Bakewell Rugby Club and was elected President of the Club from 1992 to1995.

Nic’s major sporting passion however, was Youlgrave Cricket Club. He was the backbone and long standing Captain of the Club for many years. Although I played cricket for Youlgrave when Nic was captain, there are cricketers better qualified than me to detail his many achievements at the club. He developed the cricket team to be one of the best in local cricket circles.

I used to enjoy meeting up with him on a regular basis for a pint, when we would often recall past exploits both on and off the field and often, as the old adage goes ‘the older we got the better we were’. I shall miss his humour, his gentleness and his generosity. Not sure about his singing?

Many condolences to Norma, Dominic and Nicola. Brothers Jeremy and Patrick. And to all his grandchildren, who I know he adored, and will surely miss him terribly.

God Bless

Tony Robinson

If anyone would like to write to Nic's wife Norma, or the rest of the family. Please use the address below;

Nicola Hill
Peter's Lea
Youlgrave
Nr Bakewell
Derbyshire
DE45 1UY

or if anyone has any photographs of Nic that they would like to share please email Dominic - dapasquith@hotmail.com

BMRUFC :(