The British Caving Association

Galina Self wrote...

>It is with great sadness that I inform you that Charlie Self passed
>away on the 4th of February 2016 after a short illness having been
>diagnosed with terminal cancer 2 weeks ago. 
>
>We, family and the Bristol Caving community, are preparing eulogies for
>his funeral and so we should be grateful for anything that details
>Charlie's scientific life and published articles.
>
>We should be most grateful to know if you intend to publish an obituary
>in any Caving magazine as we can provide other information if required.
>
>Best Regards, Galina Self

From another message, I can add...

>His funeral will take place at Memorial Woodlands on the 16th of
>February at 1 pm.
>
>As the name suggests, this is a woodland burial and if you wish to
>attend we would recommend suitable footwear for wet and muddy
>conditions.
>
>Flowers from family only, any Donation to Charlie's favourite charity
>OXFAM.

Very sad news.

Andrew

From John Cordingley (CDG site).

I never knowingly met Charlie but I had cause to be extremely grateful to him two years ago. I had become very unwell and knew this was more than just a routine illness. In 1987 he co-authored a paper on Leptospirosis, in BCRA Cave Science (Volume 14, no.3). He'd wanted to raise awareness among British cavers of the seriousness of this condition, also known as Weil's disease.

I'd read this paper and always remembered it. It was largely because of this that I realised I'd caught the disease whilst caving in 2014 - and also persuaded my doctor that my self diagnosis was right. As a result I was treated with the right antibiotics soon enough to prevent more serious complications and made a full recovery.

I always hoped that one day I'd have the chance to meet him, tell him my story and thank him for helping me understand the seriousness of the disease and the importance of getting treatment soon enough. He has passed away and now I have missed that chance. But it's something I will always be immensely grateful for.

.....................................................................

As I type, it's Charlie's funeral tomorrow and this may already be too late. But we were asked for eulogies and if anyone wants to print out the above and read it at the funeral I would be very pleased. If not - well, at least I've managed to place my gratitude on record.