Dr. Tony Boycott

[mrodoc]

Sad to report my old friend Tony Boycott passed away last night. I had known him since my junior doctor days at Treliske nearly half a century ago and together we have dived, caved, cave dived, trekked and kayakedd at various times over the years. Tony was an active member of MRO, a long standing and active member of UBSS as well as the BEC and CDG. He was the first person to dive and pass a Scottish sump more than 50 years ago and was a regular member of the Abode of the Clouds expedition as well as conducting exploration in Morocco and a number of other parts of the world. He helped with the recent discoveries in Reservoir Hole on Mendip among many other projects there such as opening up of Upper Canada Cave. Most recently he has been a regular digger in Ireland where until his final illness he spent much of his time. I will really miss him.

 

[Mrs Trellis]

RIP Dr. Boycott. Condolences to all affected by his passing.

 

[The Old Ruminator]

Tony in Skyfall, Reservoir Hole. A truly lovely bloke.

 

[Andy Farrant]

Sad news, I learned much from Tony when a student at Bristol...

 

[The Old Ruminator]

Tony caught on the long telephoto lens. Fairy Cave Quarry.



Both gone. Tony and Pete Rose in a new chamber at Fairy Cave Quarry.



Tony on one of our larger jobs.



Me and Tony.



Keeping me safe .



My images free to copy or use anywhere if required.

 

[Redmire]

Sad news, Tony was lovely guy. One of my early memories was carrying tanks for him when he dived the sump in Fergus River Cave nearly 50 years ago.

 

[mrodoc]

This film features Tony on an unusual cave dig in Ireland:

 

[Pitlamp]

I never got chance to get to know Tony well but I remember he was always really friendly whenever I've visited Mendip over the years. Grand bloke; this is indeed sad news.

 

[The Old Ruminator]

Tony’s funeral will take place at 2.15pm on 8th July 2024, in accordance with his wishes, at Canford Crematorium in Bristol. After the service, there will be a celebration of Tony’s life at Oatley House, St Monica’s Trust, Cote Lane, Bristol, BS9 3UN where I hope we can all remember Tony with love and much laughter, through stories and photographs of his many escapades.
No flowers, please, but if you would like to make a donation instead, in memory of Tony, I’d be delighted if you would consider Brain Tumour Support (www.braintumoursupport.co.uk). As a charity, they provide much needed support to patients and their families at a hugely daunting and difficult time. Many patients lack the strong friendship group that rallied around Tony and many carers lack the support so freely given to Jan Walker and I over the past two years by friends and fellow cavers.



It would be a great help to be able to gauge numbers for catering if anyone who is hoping to join us could let me know either my Messenger, WhatsApp or email to lindawilson@coly.org.uk. And if you have any dietary requirements eg gluten free, vegetarian or vegan, that would also help.

 

[Sid]

Another of Nick's photos of Tony at Reservoir Hole https://www.mcra.org.uk/photogallery/picture.php?/3058/category/14&

My first recollection of meeting Tony was in Dave Irwins garden in Priddy going through a box of 'finds'.

 

[Bob Mehew]

Just got back home and dug out one of Tony at the end of Fingal's cave. It was taken on a trip to record the caves of Staffa in 2005, just before the next wave washed him off.

 

[martinr]

Tony Boycott obituary in The Guardian, 22/10/24