Guest Book

So sad to hear about Andy. I met him when I was 15 and remember him encouraging me a few years later to open the Bunker cafe with Sue Lelliott (who did all the work). I was a youth but Andy made me feel like I was important. He made a difference to so many lives through believing in them. I have been influenced by his lovely heart.

Hiya Booga , Great site - saw it a while ago & laughed at the memories ! Think my life has gone in a full circle remember how stressfree life was then , gone through the usual turbulence and now living a fairly stressfree life again in sunny Derbyshire ! So sad to hear about Andy - one of the good guys ! Remember how all members of the 29 Management Committee were pursuaded constantly to write begging letters to various big corparate companies asking for help funding the project ! Also have fond memories of a ridiculous epic journey with Andy & co ( & the dutch people ! ) to Erraid , deepest darkest Scotland ! Andy worked so hard - even tho he appeared to be chilled out ! Sure he will never be forgotten . Going to Beautiful Days festival ( Levellers ) in Devon this week - will drink my first cider after raising the glass to Andy ! xxx

Andy was one of the good guys. Life was better for having known him.

I'm shocked and very, very sad to hear this news.

Now i think i know why

so sorry to hear about Andy passing. i never met him but he still helped me find my feet through the Bunker legacy.

i reckon he's still out there shooting the shit.

Dear Paul,
I wanted to write a few words about my memories of Andy. As you know I was not a part of the original Bunker clan, but began to stick my nose in at the project in 1995, at Stockton road (as you know I am far too young). It was there that I met you and in the following years we become good friends and shared an interest in Youth Work, amongst other things. I remember in my second year placement at University I wanted to interview Andy in relation to the Keyfund. This is when you told me about the profound impact Andy had had on your life, the role he had played in the Bunker and when I met him to for me to say ‘hi’ from you.
I proceeded to arrange a meeting with Andy and meet him for the first time in the Centurion for coffee. Although the purpose of the meeting had been to interview him about the Keyfund for a University report, I was far more interested in the man. I started by asking him how he ended up in the North East to which he said ‘I don’t know really, I kind of just ended up here’. I then started to ask him about the Bunker, by which point I believe he thought if she is here to talk about the Keyfund, why is she asking me these questions? Andy then asked ‘so where are you from’. I told him my connection to you (youth work) and that I had been the secretary of the Bunker. I know from the way that he talked, he had fond memories of his time in Sunderland, the music collective and you. Since then I have only seen Andy a few times at mutual friends’ occasions.
My first thoughts when I found out about his passing were “they don’t make them like that anymore”. I know how devastated you are (as are many others) at the passing of Andy. My thoughts go out to his family, friends and everyone who knows Andy. Andy struck me as a straight talking no nonsense kind of man, which I liked immensely. As much as he has been an inspiration to many people, I cannot help but feel that despite his untimely passing, he will continue to be an inspiration to many generations to come. I certainly know that his passing has inspired me to pull my bloody finger out!
I send my thoughts to family and friends attending the funeral today; and all those going to share their own story of Andy on Saturday.

Much Love Woo x

Hello Booga
you wont remember me, but I remember you - song quotes over.
I was a young scruffy punk when I came to see Rubella Ballet & Poison Girls at the old Bunker way back. I was involved in Gateshead Music Collective from about age 13 and used to be known as Jammy, playing in Equalizers and Phantoms of the Underground (badly like!). Loads of Gateshead and Newcastle lads and lasses walked home after that RB/PG gig cos it started late and all the transport was finished - one of the best nights I ever had. Used to get through to see as many Sunderland gigs as I could - Hendon festival and, another one of the best nights ever, Billy Bragg doing the Miners Wives Support Group gig. Patrick and Side Effects were my fave Sunderland bands of the day. Now, after years of working in councils and projects I am writing to say your tribute to Andy is just amazing. My current work at Newcastle Council meant that Andy and I crossed swords on lots of things to do with funding, policy and how we approached the work but I had/have massive respect for his experience and stance on so many issues. His loss has been felt massively in Newcastle youth and community development circles - unprecedented from my viewpoint. He told me about your site a couple of years ago when we talking shit about music and times gone. In case you didnt know, he thought you and the site were toppa.

Anyhow - I am writing to say that if you are keen to be involved then I was contacted by Don MacDonald at Scotswood Strategy, one of Andy's team and a fine fella, who is tasked with organising a celebration event on the afternoon of 30th July. He'd love people to tell a tale of Andy or better still to perform a song or 2.
If you're keen to do that, or just want details so you can turn up, then get back and I'll put you in touch with Don.
Booga - this is a long overdue email to say I love the site and the memories, the photos and the stories. Long overdue and sad that Andy passing has prompted it - CHEERS Jammy

I am!