Alice's Restaurant Rock Radio

Nigel 'Number 6' Invest, 1952 - 2000 r.i.p.

Nigel or Nr.6 as he was known on the radio, took his own life over the 1999/2000 festive season.

Nigel was a popular and intelligent bloke, and was known to lots of people, especially to those within pirate radio circles. He was well known for his expertise in medium wave rig construction in the 60's, 70's and 80's. I knew Nigel from primary & junior school days, though neither of us had any interest in radio then. When I bumped into him again in the latter part of the 60's, he was talking to the G3's [licenced radio 'hams'] on top band - *after* he'd already had a visit from the authorities! After telling him about the activities occurring on medium wave at the time, he appeared a few days later with a very strong signal - the rest is history!

In fact without him, many people may never have got into radio [it's all his fault! :o) ], be that pirate, CB, amateur radio, or those 'anoraks' going on to work in professional broadcasting. Nigel constructed the transmitters for rock stations: Radio UK, Telstar 1, Radio Amanda and Andromeda, and in doing so he played a very important part in the peaceful struggle for a more democratic radio system, which amazingly, still excludes the 'album rock' format that Nigel loved. Over the years loads of people in and around the London-ish area would have enjoyed the fruits of Nigel's labours, by listening in to stations powered by Nigel's transmitters - and other stations too, as yet more people operated their own free radio stations, inspired by hearing the strong signals from Nigel's transmitters. After a few years on the amateur bands circa 1980, Nigel returned to his first love, medium wave rock pirate radio, but did less and less electronics from the mid 1980's onwards. During his last couple of years he enjoyed the occasional chat on CB radio.

Nigel took the nickname "Nr. 6" from the 60's cult tv series "The Prisoner". Patrick McGoohan played Nr. 6 in The Prisoner, who was always trying to beat the system and escape from 'The Village'. I know Nig identified with this series, feeling like a prisoner, trapped in a world he didn't like or enjoy very much - for despite his placid friendly nature he was a real rebel at heart.

Inwardly Nigel was a very unhappy person - apart from when he'd had a drink, which sadly, was far too often. Despite numerous offers of help over many years by his friends, and several previous attempts on his life, Nigel never really wanted to change direction - though occasionally he would agree that he should be doing something more constructive. In the end his addiction to alcohol and prescribed medicines - which when combined gave him the buzz he craved, killed him. He'll be sadly missed by those who knew him.

At least he's not a prisoner any longer.

You're not a number Nigel, you're a free man.

"Be seeing you".

Nigel's funeral was at Enfield Crematorium on Friday 10:3:2000, at 11:30am. The music for Nigel's funeral was chosen by Liz, Roy & Nosher; 'Change It' by Stevie Ray Vaughan, 'Lonely Stranger' by Eric Clapton and 'My Sweet Lord' by George Harrison. The 23rd Psalm was read, which was one of Nigel's favourites, featured as it was in a moving part of the film 'The Elephant Man'. About 35 guests attended the funeral, with half that number coming back to The Plough pub for a few drinks and buffet.

Just over a week later on Sunday 19:3:2000, Nigel's ashes were scattered around the base of a tree [which had been used in the past for transmitting from] in the grounds of nearby Forty Hall, where he spent many happy times in happier days. A recorded program of Nr. 6 was broadcast at the time, and good signal reports were received from all over London. A fitting tribute to a pioneer.