With deep sadness I learned this afternoon (Tuesday) of the passing of Nigel Beresford, Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan and formerly of Dunboyne.
Like so many other posters adjacent to his death notice, may I echo that Dunboyne was indeed blessed to have Nigel part of our community for as long as was the case.
He was undoubtedly pivotal to the formation of Scouting in our area and espoused everything that was and is good about the noble craft. This can be vouched for from personal experience as he was not only to the forefront of a Scout troop accompanying our Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1991 and acting as helpers thereon, he was also instrumental in coaxing yours truly to join up for a few years.
More than that, he went out of his way to ensure I was included in as much of the physical activities as was humanely possible. Most pointedly, now, he supported and encouraged me in ways that were sadly lacking in other places at the same time. To put it very mildly.
Nigel even going so far as to give me the use of a huge – even by the standards of the early 1990s – ICL computer. I’m not sure if the make even still exists. My greatest regret pertaining to that time being my own shortcomings in terms of not being tech savvy enough to take full advantage of the machine.
That said, the positive contributions of Nigel, and another local man who was instrumental in making my brief time in the Scouts as rewarding as could be, Joe Grogan, alloowed me to partake in our group’s weekend away at Smarmore Castle in Ardee.
Over time, I’ve learned to let the positive elements of that trip – fishing, foraging in the woods, building a campfire and roasting smoars thereon – be the dominant recollection thereof rather than the one corner of darkness which threatened to hog the horizon for long enough.
What could never have been foreseen was the way in which, years after my involvement with Scouts our paths would cross again due to what, in some ways, will forever be the greatest passion in my life – farming. Owing to the big fella’s day job as the delivery man for our local seed, feed and grain merchant – Drummonds.
If ever a man was cut out for a job, this was it. Going round from farm to farm with deliveries, swapping stories, tales of hunting and fishing and Lord knows whatever else.
It is not stretching it to suggest he could sell ice to an Eskimo. May he rest in peace.
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