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RIP Mike Wren (AKA @ChirpyRed / Riviera) - fundraiser in his memory (p5)
Comments
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RIP..condolences to his family0
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Mike has been a friend for some 40 years and would have been 60 in September. No age at all. We originally met through cricket and I went on the tours to Shropshire and Yorkshire he arranged. Every season, for about 20 years, he also used to bring a team with him made up of players from Blackheath CC (he captained at one time their 2nd XI) to my club, Sidcup. A T20 innings a side followed by "lunch" and then a "timed" second innings apiece. Then drinks into the night followed by a curry. The formula never changed and he wouldn't have wanted it to either.
Mike was also the instigator and driver behind a number of other events. The annual Christmas meal at the Won Kei in Chinatown (purely for the abusive nature of the staff) was one such event where, at his insistence, we would have a "guess the bill" for the dozen or so there, with the nearest one being rewarded with not having to pay. He started a horseracing group called the Beehive Racing Club named after the pub we used to frequent on a Thursday night for years. He would run an annual trip to Newbury (and Cheltenham most years too) with everything from the tickets, to the coach, to the beer on the coach and even Racing Posts for everyone. And then there would be the cassette tape that morphed into a CD and finally Spotify. All singalong tracks for the journey home. We would all be given nicknames too with Mike's being "Captain". Of course.
"Old school" was Mike and a massive traditionalist in every walk of life. He left the City to do what he had wanted to do for years. Run a pub. One that was a throwback to times when there were no juke boxes or fruit machines. The advent of the concept of a micropub afforded him that opportunity. He wouldn't just have loved that the pub was opening this evening. He would have demanded it!
The last time I spoke to Mike was a couple of weeks ago when he phoned me on his way to deliver a card to a mutual friend because he wanted to check the number of the house in question. His last words were "thanks and I'll call you soon so we can have a good catchup." We never had that chat but then last Wednesday he sent me a photo of something he'd been on the waiting list for donkeys years for. MCC Membership. Sitting with members and friends with a drink in hand discussing cricket and everything beyond would have been his idea of heaven. So sad that he never got to do that as a bona fide Member sharing his encyclopaedic knowledge on all things especially sport and music.
It's fair to say that Mike packed in a lot more in his almost 60 years than most. He leaves behind his lovely wife, Nancy and his two sons Nick (who does post on here) and Jack and my love and condolences go out to them. For the rest of our group of friends (rest assured we weren't his only such group as he had that rare ability to bring likeminded people together) his passing effectively marks the end of an era. He was our leader.
RIP Michael Wren AKA Captain101 -
Sorry to hear this.
RIP Mike
Condolences to his family.0 -
Very sorry to read this, RIP Mike0
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RIP0
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I never met the fella (to my knowledge). Had many a banter with him on here, under his Chirpy guise, but honestly didn't realise that he and Riviera were one of the same. Rest in peace, Chirpy.
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My brother messaged me this sad news earlier today. I knew him from the forum as Chirpy / Riviera, but I was introduced to Mike in person by my brother a few years ago, and we’ve both spent quite a bit of time at the Long Pond since then. Remember when my brother first introduced me to Mike as "Rob over from France," Mike immediately asked, "You don't post on Charlton Life, do you?"
He came over as a genuinely decent bloke who always made the effort to come over to our table for a good chat.
RIP Mike 🍺5 -
What a moving and lovely tribute. Already said RIP, but RIP Captain.Addick Addict said:Mike has been a friend for some 40 years and would have been 60 in September. No age at all. We originally met through cricket and I went on the tours to Somerset and Yorkshire he arranged. Every season, for about 20 years, he also used to bring a team with him made up of players from Blackheath CC (he captained at one time their 2nd XI) to my club, Sidcup. A T20 innings a side followed by "lunch" and then a "timed" second innings apiece. Then drinks into the night followed by a curry. The formula never changed and he wouldn't have wanted it to either.
Mike was also the instigator and driver behind a number of other events. The annual Christmas meal at the Won Kei in Chinatown (purely for the abusive nature of the staff) was one such event where, at his insistence, we would have a "guess the bill" for the dozen or so there, with the nearest one being rewarded with not having to pay. He started a horseracing group called the Beehive Racing Club named after the pub we used to frequent on a Thursday night for years. He would run an annual trip to Newbury (and Cheltenham most years too) with everything from the tickets, to the coach, to the beer on the coach and even Racing Posts for everyone. And then there would be the cassette tape that morphed into a CD and finally Spotify. All singalong tracks for the journey home. We would all be given nicknames too with Mike's being "Captain". Of course.
"Old school" was Mike and a massive traditionalist in every walk of life. He left the City to do what he had wanted to do for years. Run a pub. One that was a throwback to times when there were no juke boxes or fruit machines. The advent of the concept of a micropub afforded him that opportunity. He wouldn't just have loved that the pub was opening this evening. He would have demanded it!
The last time I spoke to Mike was a couple of weeks ago when he phoned me on his way to deliver a card to a mutual friend because he wanted to check the number of the house in question. His last words were "thanks and I'll call you soon so we can have a good catchup." We never had that chat but then last Wednesday he sent me a photo of something he'd been on the waiting list for donkeys years for. MCC Membership. Sitting with members and friends with a drink in hand discussing cricket and everything beyond would have been his idea of heaven. So sad that he never got to do that as a bona fide Member sharing his encyclopaedic knowledge on all things especially sport and music.
It's fair to say that Mike packed in a lot more in his almost 60 years than most. He leaves behind his lovely wife, Nancy and his two sons Nick (who does post on here) and Jack and my love and condolences go out to them. For the rest of our group of friends (rest assure we weren't his only such group) his passing effectively marks the end of an era. He was our leader.
RIP Michael Wren AKA Captain5 -
Gutted to hear about this, Mike was a top bloke. Pre covid, I very nearly opened a pub in Hither Green and Mike was the first person I approached for advice. The pub didn't happen, but the support Mike offered was key in helping us get both the change of use and the licence granted from Lewisham Council.
It's a reminder that life is so precious and fleeting. Be kind to one and other and love the ones who love you the most.6 -
RIP
Shocked by the news, was only talking about him on Saturday with @shirty5 as we passed the pub on the UpBeats walk on Saturday.2 -
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He was absolutely the best at being a WUM RIP Mike1
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Sad news.Lovely post from AA up above
I only knew him from the cricket threads and from his strict policing of the ‘Celebrities who are still alive’ thread.God help anyone who posted someone who was not yet 90 or who was not a sufficient celebrity in his opinion.You can tell a lot from how people talk about a person once they have
gone, and it’s clear to see he was a well loved and respected friend and poster.RIP fellow Addick.Will have a craft beer in your name tonight.7 -
Any friend of beer is a friend of mine. RIP Mike1
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Spent quite a few Sunday lunchtimes in the long pond with my late dad and his mate Pete. I recall messaging him on here to let him know Pete passed away as he used to swing by the LP en route to the weekly shop at m and s in Eltham. He had wondered where he had been as had t seen him in the LP for a while. Came across as a nice guy. RIP1
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That’s so sad.
My heart goes out to all who loved him.
Rest easy fellow Addick ❤️1 -
RIP follow Addick.0
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A lovely tribute AA.Addick Addict said:Mike has been a friend for some 40 years and would have been 60 in September. No age at all. We originally met through cricket and I went on the tours to Somerset and Yorkshire he arranged. Every season, for about 20 years, he also used to bring a team with him made up of players from Blackheath CC (he captained at one time their 2nd XI) to my club, Sidcup. A T20 innings a side followed by "lunch" and then a "timed" second innings apiece. Then drinks into the night followed by a curry. The formula never changed and he wouldn't have wanted it to either.
Mike was also the instigator and driver behind a number of other events. The annual Christmas meal at the Won Kei in Chinatown (purely for the abusive nature of the staff) was one such event where, at his insistence, we would have a "guess the bill" for the dozen or so there, with the nearest one being rewarded with not having to pay. He started a horseracing group called the Beehive Racing Club named after the pub we used to frequent on a Thursday night for years. He would run an annual trip to Newbury (and Cheltenham most years too) with everything from the tickets, to the coach, to the beer on the coach and even Racing Posts for everyone. And then there would be the cassette tape that morphed into a CD and finally Spotify. All singalong tracks for the journey home. We would all be given nicknames too with Mike's being "Captain". Of course.
"Old school" was Mike and a massive traditionalist in every walk of life. He left the City to do what he had wanted to do for years. Run a pub. One that was a throwback to times when there were no juke boxes or fruit machines. The advent of the concept of a micropub afforded him that opportunity. He wouldn't just have loved that the pub was opening this evening. He would have demanded it!
The last time I spoke to Mike was a couple of weeks ago when he phoned me on his way to deliver a card to a mutual friend because he wanted to check the number of the house in question. His last words were "thanks and I'll call you soon so we can have a good catchup." We never had that chat but then last Wednesday he sent me a photo of something he'd been on the waiting list for donkeys years for. MCC Membership. Sitting with members and friends with a drink in hand discussing cricket and everything beyond would have been his idea of heaven. So sad that he never got to do that as a bona fide Member sharing his encyclopaedic knowledge on all things especially sport and music.
It's fair to say that Mike packed in a lot more in his almost 60 years than most. He leaves behind his lovely wife, Nancy and his two sons Nick (who does post on here) and Jack and my love and condolences go out to them. For the rest of our group of friends (rest assured we weren't his only such group as he had that rare ability to bring likeminded people together) his passing effectively marks the end of an era. He was our leader.
RIP Michael Wren AKA Captain
RIP Mike3 -
Awful news. I followed Mike's tales as he was planning to open The Long Pond and made sure I visited the first time I headed down for a Charlton game. I've been visiting ever since. Mike was a lovely guy, made me feel at home in The Long Pond and always introduced me to fellow Charlton fans in there. I always looked forward to chats with Mike and Kevin.
Thank you for your lovely post @Addick Addict, I know you and many others will miss Mike greatly. My deepest condolences to Nancy, Nick and Jack and Kevin and Steve from the Long Pond.
RIP dear Mike4 -
I didn’t know Mike, but it’s so obvious from the comments here that he was very well loved and respected. It sounds like he had a life very well lived, but 59 is just way too young to have that taken away. My condolences to his family and friends. Take comfort in each other and Rest in Peace Mike.3
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I knew Mike for over 40 years.
He was simply a superb bloke - a true character, a one-off, and I'm fortunate to have shared many great times with him.
So many will mourn his passing.
Sending my love and sincerest condolences to Nancy, Nick & Jack.
RIP Capt.10 -
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Thanks a lot all for the kind messages about my dad guys, especially your tribute @Addick Addict I forwarded that onto the rest of the family, I am sure I’ll see you in person in the coming weeks.Positive a lot of hours at work during his city days were spent on netaddicks and then here on CL. A vivid memory of my childhood during the days of just one family computer were being told not to close the CL tab when my brother and I were logging onto play computer games. He loved it on here, particularly the cricket and beer stuff in more recent years and although he rarely posted I know he still checked the site and even would use my account to post from time to time rather than on Riveria - our writing styles were very different so wasn’t hard to tell the comments apart!Now although he wasn’t your typical die hard Charlton fan, as I am sure he reminded many on here of over the years - my late grandfather was not interested at all in football so he was in fact still down the valley a bit in his teens being from Eltham. However, when I came along he made sure I had no other choice and took me to my first game in Division One in 1999 a H win against Norwich, with a season ticket coming the following season, I have been hooked ever since and after seeing my passion for Charlton over the years he certainly couldn’t deny his love for the club even though every weekend of late he’s been texting me asking ‘who do YOU have on the weekend?’, rather than ‘us’ purely just to annoy me and very much on brand. I will cherish those texts forever now.As for the general WUM comments, I really think he would be gutted if there was no mention of that aspect of it - so it’s much appreciated and has given me a laugh - as are the comments on the quality of posting.Thanks again for the well wishes to myself and my family, just shy of 60 is not much these days but as mentioned above he packed a lot in to those 60 years and thank you to AFKA and Lookout + co for giving him much enjoyment over the years through this forum.
Rest in peace Dad x89 -
RIP Mike! Never knew or met you but you have clearly left your mark on a hell of a lot of people and for that I commend you Sir!You will clearly be sorely missed!0
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Met Mike and Nick ( I was hammered wasn't sure which son) at Edgbaston a few years back he'd read I was going and we arranged a meet up and just chatting and boozing we got on so well and the banter and piss taking was top notch .
He messaged me in the last few years in respect of me still playing cricket and encouraged it , he was just a genuine nice fella and loved a laugh .
I only spent a small time of my life with him but enjoyed it all .
RIP Mike and thinking of you and family Nick x13 -
RIP Mike0
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RIP Mike/Chirpy.It’s been said already but his policing of the ‘celebs still alive’ thread always had me laughing as he couldn’t abide deviation to the rules. Such a wind up merchant.I also recall a meet up years ago perhaps in the market porter at London Bridge where he insisted buying a bottle of fizz for us all to share! Or maybe he just bought it for me and I think @Curb_It to share. Not sure what the cause for celebration was but I remember he insisted on it.
I also remember him for Park Run at Avery Hill as he used to encourage people to go as he said if he could do it then anyone else could. So I did.Condolences to the family.9 -
RIP Mike.0
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RIP0
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I met Mike a few times when visiting the Long Pond with my friends who live nearby and frequent often.Mike was always a friendly and welcoming guy and I know the upset my friends are experiencing will be felt locally and further afield.
RIP2 -
RIP Mike and touching words from @Addick Addict and @NomadicAddick - best to you & family x1
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Sad to hear, I remember the name ChirpyRed posting a lot. Condolences to the family and friends. RIP Mike
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