28 Comments
User's avatar
Chris Evans's avatar

That's so shocking, I never knew he'd been diagnosed, and he'd written so well here. We've lost a real warrior, RIP Steve.

Chris Dixon's avatar

Yes, shocking, I am in bits. Me Steve and Phil got our diplomas together and now they’re both dead.

About to take Lyn’s dog for walk to sort my head out a bit. He was a real warrior in Bill M’s sense of the word.

amber's avatar

Feeling great sadness as I hear the news of Steve passing. There was never a more committed individual to the permaculture world, and him and Carl were quite a force of inspirational dynamite! What a legacy he leaves behind but a pathway for others to walk in his footsteps.

Chris Dixon's avatar

Hi Amber- long time no see! Yes. I well remember the mini course on meeting patterns Karl held at his place and Steve taking me round SE London naming all the buried rivers. Amazing guy and as you say, so committed. We’d been exchanging emails and bouncing ideas for decades. He got me onto Substack. A truly huge loss. Take care amber. x

amber's avatar

Indeed long time no see. I've stayed linked to Steve via his substack posts, although haven't seen him in decades, but change when it impacts you stays and perculates, and the permaculture world of amazing individuals was a transformational milestone in my life, and a blessed one that I shall cherish always. Steve, Carl, you and many others touched my life and still do and for that I feel eternally grateful for the wisdom warriors that walk the path. Good to connect despite the circumstances and stay well old friend. X

Chris Dixon's avatar

Both Lyn and I remember you as a bright light and took great delight in your youthful energy. Powerful times and people that as you say, stay with us, embedded in our lives and ways of being.

Lesley Wills's avatar

OMG this is such a shock I never knew as unwell. Yes he had been quiet for a few months but thought he was teaching. A great teacher a force to be reckoned with well in SE London permaculture group he was and for me gave the meaning of the edge principle many more layers of complexity. A friend who will now guide us from another realm sending love to all that knew him he will never be forgotten and he is now plotting with Carl. ❤️

Chris Dixon's avatar

I’d noticed he wasn’t posting on Substack but he seems to have kept it very quiet. Whatever, a real, horrible shock to me- I had an email from Cloe, and a great loss to PC design. As you say, up there with Karl and no doubt Phil Corbett and Bill M. Chipping in. Will really miss him.

Lesley Wills's avatar

Yes it's been a strange enter into this year a few dear friends have passed over and yes it is a time of reflection. Love to you and others still earth bound x

Chris Dixon's avatar

And the same to you old friend.

Wilf Richards's avatar

Ah man, that is sad. I feel like I was just getting to know him a bit through his writing here

Chris Dixon's avatar

And a really important figure in the early days of PC design in Britain.

Louise Doughty's avatar

I'm so sorry. I only found him fairly recently and started following him on Substack. I didn't know you were friends

Chris Dixon's avatar

Yes, I met Steve in 1990 when he came on a permaculture design course I ran just outside Dolgellau. We became good friends and both served as trustees on the PC Association Britain, the national charity. We were awarded our Diplomas in PC design together in 1993. We’ve been in contact ever since and bounced ideas back and forth.

He was a master designer and walked his talk. A lovely man who I will miss greatly

Steven W Jones's avatar

Yes, agreed, no idea, I had been really enjoying his posts, this is a shock and a great loss to permaculture.

Chris Dixon's avatar

Indeed it is Steve. Take care old friend.

Neil Brand's avatar

Hey Chris - I'm so sorry for your loss, man - you were just mentioning him in your last post - it must have been such a shock. Really sorry to hear. Best, Neil

Chris Dixon's avatar

Thanks Neil. Yes, he was a big influence on my thinking from when we first met in 1990. We bounced a lot of ideas back and forth over the decades. Take care old mate.

Susan Kutner's avatar

OMG! I did my second PDC in Ardeche with Steve in 2017....amd returned for other workshops...

I am in shock,too.. xoxo Susan ❤️🐞❤️

Chris Dixon's avatar

Thanks for that Susan. At some point but not yet, it would be good to capture some memories of Steve and his work and collect them, perhaps here on Substack. Could you put together a paragraph or two?

Susan Kutner's avatar

Of course! I will do that ! Sending you L❤️VE. XoxoSusan ❤️ 🐞 ❤️

Tricia Cassel-Gerard's avatar

How sad. Thank you for letting us know.x

Chris Dixon's avatar

Ok Tricia. Very nice to hear from you. x

GARY FINCH's avatar

Very sorry for your loss, in 'permaculture' he really walked the talk and with integrity and humility.

Chris Dixon's avatar

He did indeed. A true hero from the very early days of permaculture design in Britain who remained totally committed throughout his life.

Guy Rees's avatar

Sad news Chris, Steve was a shining light and his teaching had effect around the world. Best wishes to family and friends. 1 lv

Chris Dixon's avatar

Thanks Guy and very true words. Touched the hearts and minds of many. Never to be forgotten.

Lesley Wills's avatar

OMG this is such a shock I never knew as unwell. Yes he had been quiet for a few months but thought he was teaching. A great teacher a force to be reckoned with well in SE London permaculture group he was and for me gave the meaning of the edge principle many more layers of complexity. A friend who will now guide us from another realm sending love to all that knew him he will never be forgotten and he is now plotting with Carl. ❤️