David Waghorn
- Title
- David Waghorn
- Date
- 1999
- Contributor
- Harry Hillery
- Type
- Jpg
- Creator
- Gary Pargeter
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Attribution - NonCommercial - ShareAlike 4.0 International License
- Temporal Coverage
- 1999
Description:
David Waghorn
David was born in Andover in 1965. When we met in 1999, many of our friends were still unwell or dying despite recent improvements in Antivirals. David was well known on the scene thanks to working at the Aquarium Bar, Threshers on St James’ Street, and volunteering at Open Door where he did the cooking. Later he also volunteered at Terrence Higgins Trust and led on organising the World AIDS Day Vigil which back then took place on the Old Steine. David had also cared for his previous partner Vince who’d died from AIDS some years earlier, and he studied art at University of Brighton, although he’d have been first to admit his social life and fulfilment often came first! David’s interests were wide ranging, spanning clubs and bars, men and sex, art and reading, science fiction and Dr Who, music of all sorts (especially Bowie), excellent cookery, gardening, and his flat which was an inspiring, colourful and ornamental masterpiece.
We often differed in outlook, so our relationship was rocky sometimes, but it was genuinely based on affection. We broke up after three years, but quickly became the best and closest of friends, with a trust, respect and intimacy that transcended our past. I haven’t had a more valued ‘best friend’ since. Sadly, in 2007 David was diagnosed with an advanced and aggressive cancer, common in people with HIV. Tragically, a pathway between the cancer and HIV had been missed, so I often wonder if David would have survived if that hadn’t happened. He wasn’t always confident dealing with health matters, but he rose spectacularly to the challenge presented by invasive operations, unmanageable pain, and a rapid decline in health. Despite everything being against him, he was brave, kind and still giving to others, battling on until his death just before Christmas in 2007. He was more resilient and braver in the face of adversity than I would have thought possible, and I will always remember our last kiss and precious quiet moments together before he died on the Howard 2 Ward, aged 42. David was a man of many facets, unrecognised talents, humour, and a deep appreciation and love for life. When I look at his picture taken at Pride, I feel his inspiration and happiness. Gary Pargeter
David was born in Andover in 1965. When we met in 1999, many of our friends were still unwell or dying despite recent improvements in Antivirals. David was well known on the scene thanks to working at the Aquarium Bar, Threshers on St James’ Street, and volunteering at Open Door where he did the cooking. Later he also volunteered at Terrence Higgins Trust and led on organising the World AIDS Day Vigil which back then took place on the Old Steine. David had also cared for his previous partner Vince who’d died from AIDS some years earlier, and he studied art at University of Brighton, although he’d have been first to admit his social life and fulfilment often came first! David’s interests were wide ranging, spanning clubs and bars, men and sex, art and reading, science fiction and Dr Who, music of all sorts (especially Bowie), excellent cookery, gardening, and his flat which was an inspiring, colourful and ornamental masterpiece.
We often differed in outlook, so our relationship was rocky sometimes, but it was genuinely based on affection. We broke up after three years, but quickly became the best and closest of friends, with a trust, respect and intimacy that transcended our past. I haven’t had a more valued ‘best friend’ since. Sadly, in 2007 David was diagnosed with an advanced and aggressive cancer, common in people with HIV. Tragically, a pathway between the cancer and HIV had been missed, so I often wonder if David would have survived if that hadn’t happened. He wasn’t always confident dealing with health matters, but he rose spectacularly to the challenge presented by invasive operations, unmanageable pain, and a rapid decline in health. Despite everything being against him, he was brave, kind and still giving to others, battling on until his death just before Christmas in 2007. He was more resilient and braver in the face of adversity than I would have thought possible, and I will always remember our last kiss and precious quiet moments together before he died on the Howard 2 Ward, aged 42. David was a man of many facets, unrecognised talents, humour, and a deep appreciation and love for life. When I look at his picture taken at Pride, I feel his inspiration and happiness. Gary Pargeter
David Waghorn at Pride
