Canning & Clyde Road Residents Association
Steve Collins
'Flip Flop and Fly'
Steve Collins (1947 - 2007)
'Once met, never forgotten' was typical of the many things people said about Steve when they heard he had died on 7 November 2007. Steve was a real one-off in the nicest possible way. Whatever he did, he followed his instincts and pursued what he believed to be right with energy, enthusiasm and determination. He was also kind and gentle. Steve had had cancer for four years and right to the end maintained his courage and sense of humour.
Steve had three great interests in life: his local area (Addiscombe), rockets and music.
He founded the Canning & Clyde Road Residents
Association in 1979. A lot of Steve's work was connected with developments
in the area, whether to support or oppose. Steve always had his ear to
the ground and could effectively represent people's views. He expected
the same of politicians! When he felt politicians were not doing this,
he stood as an independent candidate in two local elections to drive home
the point that residents' views should come above party politics. Steve
energetically compiled and part wrote the two 'Books of Addiscombe' motivating
over 150 contributors in all.
Even more than that, Steve built a great sense of community in an area
with a very mixed population of long-term and short-term residents. It
was his innate friendliness and acceptance of all kinds of people, whoever
they were, that forged a real sense of belonging in an area that could
so easily be anonymous suburbia.
Those who attended Steve's firework parties will be well aware that he never lost his boyhood love of rockets. Already inventive, enthusiastic and proactive as a ten year old, he built one in his parents' back garden using various bits and pieces from his father's shed including fuel, retired to the coal bunker with a friend and launched it. Unfortunately it made a large hole in the lawn and blew out the neighbours' windows. The neighbours were very nice about it. A crowning moment in Steve's life was - during his Second Safety Through Quality Conference in October 1995 - launching a military satellite at Cape Kennedy Space Center. Apparently this was not strictly legal but Steve as ever charmed his way.
Steve loved music, all kinds of music but especially blues. For many years he held big music parties at his house showcasing new local bands that he wanted to help promote. These parties became legendary. As was Steve's way, everyone was welcome to come and have fun. He would often don a short skirt (he had the legs for it) and bouffon wig for the occasion, his resonant voice being the only thing that made him initially recognisable - but then he had the personality to carry it off. He was a fan of Croydon's Big Beer Band. Steve was delighted to discover the blues music at Croydon's best pub, the Oval Tavern in Oval Road; once found, we hardly missed a Sunday while Steve was well. Steve being Steve largely planned his own funeral. 'For music as people are coming in we'll do "Up Above my Head" by Sister Rosetta Tharpe. For dispersing it will be Big Joe Turner "Flip Flop and Fly" '. One of Steve's brothers, Jeff, created a firework-like display of flowers complete with two real firework rockets to go on top of the coffin. There were both laughter and tears as this all descended, Tracy Island style, to the Thunderbirds theme tune, also Steve's choice. Some said they half expected the rockets to go off!
Steve's instructions also included 'I wish to be cremated at Beckenham Crematorium ideally of a Thursday early afternoon. The event is to be followed later that day by a rather good wake at the Oval Tavern, Croydon. Of a Thursday evening they'll have live music afterwards.' Well, this is precisely what happened. Graeme and his ever excellent bar staff did us proud. We had a fantastic, fun party that Steve would have loved. In fact - some of us sort of thought he was there enjoying it in his own enthusiastic way. 'Flip, flop and fly - Don't care if I die!'
We are delighted that we have been able to plant a tree in Steve's memory. A large gathering of family and residents were there. Steve's tree is an Indian Bean Tree on Addiscombe Road, in between Canning and Clyde Road, in front of the professors' cottages. Do give him a wave as you walk by!
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