From Kim Campbell


Ben, Dusty and me grew up together in Callington, we lived a stones throw away from each other and its fair to say we had some great times together through our younger days and beyond, I have to say there are some things that we got up too which would make most parents hair curl today, here are just a few little story’s.


The teenagers years - And we lived to tell the tales, from trying to smoking tree moss when we ran out of fags, smoking weed at the tender age of 14 years old (which Ben borrowed from his brother) to drinking white cider and Whisky mac bought from the COOP in Fore Street and getting a obliterated then trying to act sober in front of our parents, to surviving Camping down Callington Newbridge with 10 other teenagers and surviving Nick Trezise special breakfast (enough said). 


Eventually we all managed to leave Callington Comp in one piece and get jobs around the area, my mate Bengy went on to Plymouth Art College and after that became a master Goldsmith Jewellery and worked in Plymouth, we still saw each other quite a bit back then.
I can remember the time Ben wanted to learn how to ride a motorbike, so I took him down Callington Newbridge on my bike and went through the basic’s with him, Ben was feeling pretty confident so I let him jump on by himself went through the basics again, he put it in gear and then let the clutch out (but way to fast) next thing I knew he went flying off front wheel in the air wheeling across the main road straight into Newbridge cottage Garden, the look of surprise on his face was so funny, his helmet was full of dirt and broken bits of flowers, needless to say I didn’t get to to teach Ben to ride a bike after that ha.


Ben came on Rugby Tour to Amsterdam with me and the rest of Callington Rugby team and enjoyed all the cultural side of things Amsterdam had to offer along with everyone else. 
I also got to work with Ben later on in his adult life after Ben wanted a better paid job without having to travel into Plymouth everyday. Ben was a well loved character on the 4 day shift where we worked and he had a real caring nature and a great sense of humour, I will miss not seeing Bengy around but I have lots of special memories of Bengy which I will treasure for the rest of my days, may you rest in peace my mate.