I can’t remember when I first met Don, it was probably in a pub on a Friday night when the volunteers from the Archaeological Resource Centre used to meet up; either we were drawn to Don, or Don was drawn into our circle, is unclear but over many years he seems to have been a constant presence since then. He would either be at the pub or serving behind the bar at the CaMRA festival on the Knavesmire. He was there when the “Diera” branch of the YAC needed his help and, after it had morphed into the York YAC, he was happy to offer support to all of us who became leaders. Don was unique in his enthusiams for both his subject and life in general and as such he is greatly missed. …

Just to say that Don made it possible for me to pursue a similar career in archaeology and education. Over the years I have explored archaeology with many many pupils, students and adult learners and I have often be mindful of the premise which he spoke of; that is, that education means to lead out. It is his influence over many of us in the profession that has helped to enrich learning in schools, colleges and in adult education. He was also just a great, funny, life-loving guy….

I only knew Don for a few months, as I only started my research in October 2020, but he helped to provide a really welcoming and friendly atmosphere whenever he was present. I got to Don a little bit better when I audited his module on Community Archaeology which was a fantastic module and was so enjoyable – the ease of his friendly and welcoming attitude seemed to extend to his teaching style and created a really open and supportive enviroment where everyone could feel uncomfortable to express their thoughts and utilise their own experiences. I also really appreciated how he had created an extensive database of the films he had, which feels so wonderfully nerdy and organised in the best way. Don was someone that I had hoped to get to know a lot better during my time in the department and, even though I only knew him for a short while, I am really sad that he is no longer here with us. Condolences to all of his friends and family. Although he may be gone, I am sure that he won’t be forgotten by all who knew him. …

I was Chair of the CBA’s Education Committee when we appointed Don as our Education Officer. His enthusiasm, experience and sense of humour came over from the moment he sat down to be interviewed. Having made many appointments in education as a headteacher, I look back on our decision to give Don the role as one of the most effective in my career. I met Don many times after I left the CBA Committee, always for a few pints and too much food. I saw Don at many international conferences where we were both giving contributions. I recall a night in Barcelona hunting down half of the tapas bars in the locality. The following night we did the other half. Don’s ‘mmm’ after each mouthful was one of his endearing qualities. As demonstrated in his obituaries in the departmental page and in the Guardian, Don had a huge influence on archaeology and education in the UK and internationally. He will be sorely missed. My tribute will be going to my local real ale pub, ordering a pint and raising it to him. Cheers Don!    …

So sorry to hear of Don’s passing – such a life force it is difficult to believe he has gone. I remember especially a walk along Swansea beach at a CIfA conference when he told me of how he loved growing up there, and especially loved the walk along the beach. While he spent so much of his time in Yorkshire, it was clear that his heart lay by the sea in Swansea. He was such a genuine and enthusiastic character, and always worth hearing what he had to say about archaeology and education. Rest in Peace….

Don, it was an absolute pleasure to have known you. Your enthusiasm towards archaeology, food and drink, especially beer, was second to none. You taught me a tremendous amount regarding engagement with the public, particularly the younger generation, and were always on call to ask those pertinent questions relating to my own research. From Star Carr to Thetford, and Belgrade to Barcelona, and everything else in between, I’ll forever cherish the good times we had. We sure had a bloody good laugh along the way. Until we meet again, rest easy. Hx…

I cannot say that I knew Don well, he certainly didn’t know me very well, but he was such a tour-de-force in the world of archaeology that when I arrived at York in January 2020, I felt like I had known him forever. He was just there, omnipresent: at every conference, every meeting, every party. And even if I hadn’t ever really had a proper conversation with him previously, his energy (especially on the dancefloor) just permeated through the crowd. And in that way, everyone knew Don. The more I read of the condolensces in this book, the more I wish I had got the chance to know him better, but if I can emulate just a fraction of the positivity he brought into a room and inspire just a handful of the people he inspired, then I know I will be serving his memory well….

A lovely enduring memory of Don is being sat in a planetarium tent with him and other students at a secondary school outreach day in Scarborough in 2018. He unintentionally annoyed the man leading the presentation by knowing more than him; it was amusing to witness and shows the vast scope of his knowledge. I remember holding in giggles whilst he just sat there crossed leg continuing to ask questions. …

Like many reaching the end of their careers I look back and wonder what I have achieved, and one of the positives is thinking of the students we taught, however well or badly, who then went out and made their mark in the world.  I knew Don ever since he came to Sheffield as an undergraduate in 1975, and he certainly comes into the class of the achievers.  Like many of us he graduated with a respectable but not high-flying degree, but what really counts is what one then does with it.  Many students just disappear into the ether, but Don was one who was always popping up in some context or other, for me especially in his role in the CBA and at the meetings of the European Association of Archaeologists.  He also dug with me on the barrow at Hognaston in 1983, and reported on the flints in the Barnatt / Collis volume on ‘Barrows in the Peak District’.  It was a tragedy when the funding for his CBA post was no longer available.  There was a time when universities, including archaeologists, became more obsessed with their research ratings than what became of their students.  At Sheffield…

Don, in the few months I knew you after arriving at York in 2019, it felt like you had already been a lifelong friend. It was an absolute pleasure to teach alongside you, and to share an office. We could set our watches by your lunch at noon, and the barometer of a good teaching day could be measured in chocolate consumption. Your kindness and passion for archaeology were infectious, and touched all who met you. The day we lost you was “a very heavy chocolate day” indeed. Rest well….

For a few years I lived a couple of streets away from Don, so we would often walk the same route home from King’s Manor. I would regularly see him ahead of me, foraging for blackberries from the brambles that grew along the railway line. Don was a lovely person to work with – always kind, good humoured and a real gentleman. Many blessings on your journey onwards Don – you are loved and missed by so many….

I met Don when I started working at the CBA in 1999. We worked closely together on a number of projects around his work promoting archaeology in education and he was unfailingly enthusiastic and smiling, often in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. But it was how quickly he become more than a colleague that set Don apart – he was keen to talk about anything and everything. We realised we’d paralleled our archaeological careers a bit, although a good few years apart, both graduating from Sheffield, and both having worked at Cresswell Craggs, and sharing stories of those experiences led to him being the go-to person for an interesting chat when I needed a distraction from work. His voracious appetite for new experiences, new music, new books, was, to be honest, an inspiration. Bumping into him around York in the years since was always such a pleasure, and seeing how much he enjoyed his work was amazing. Very much gone too soon, he will be sorely missed….

It was a privilege to know and be taught by Don throughout my time at university. His energy and enthusiasm for archaeology was infectious, as was his humour and grin! Don made King’s Manor (and every party) a better place and he will be sorely missed. Thank you for everything you’ve taught me, Don….

I was so lucky to work with Don at the University – he was a lovely, caring colleague and he also cared so much about our students. But Don also had a brilliant routine for his lunch – and no matter what he would have his lunch on time – I remember marking assessed seminars with Don (which were timetabled over his lunchtime) and Don had his lovely wooden plate and neatly arranged ‘gathered’ lunch ingredients – all this happening in the ‘background’ whilst the students debated their seminar topic. It was all just so Don. I will miss all those moments and miss Don so much. …