Dad died on March 11th and we are heartbroken. He would have hated floral tributes! So we would like to leave the legacy he would have wanted.

Rather than send flowers or suchlike, please please donate to this fundraiser. The money will go directly to the studio at Shug he loved so much, to be used to bring the joy of music and especially drumming to the kids and teenagers in the community he so loved living in.

My Dad, Nigel Menday loved to drum. It was his life, his passion and his purpose.

Having been an incredible drummer playing with some real icons in the 60s such as The Crickets, PJ Proby, Dusty Springfield and so many more he settled in time to drumming with local bands wherever we lived.

When he moved to Lincolnshire almost 20 years ago he was a regular feature at local jam nights and was always keen to encourage the younger generation to celebrate and participate in keeping music live.

Almost 6 years ago his health deteriorated. He lost many of the things he held dear.

But… there was a bright shining light…despite his confusion and limited mobility, we would go to Shug Studios on a Monday evening and he would take his place shakily at the drumkit. Playing along with guitarists (notably Julien) he became himself again and for that brief time each week I got my Dad back. These times also enabled his grandchildren to see him play at last!

He was an incredibly precise drummer and the people at Shug were so generous with their time and praise for him, it really boosted his mental health and showed him he had not lost everything.

As a family we will be forever grateful for these precious times.

A message from Shug Studios:

Shug Studios is a dedicated rehearsal, tuition, and recording space in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, run by husband-and-wife duo Krim and Fish. Our studio features three practice rooms, accommodating drum, guitar, bass, and vocal lessons, as well as a space for local bands and performers to hone their craft.

Over a decade ago, we first met Nigel when he began hosting a jam night at The Mabern in Sleaford Market Place. We would regularly attend, watching him perform, playing alongside him, and sharing countless conversations about drums, drummers, and the incredible joy that drumming brought to his life.

In recent years, Nigel became a familiar face at Shug Studios, often jamming with Julien Gash. It was a privilege to have him in our space and to witness the happiness he found behind the drums once again.

We are truly honored to accept donations in Nigel’s name to support our growing drumming community at Shug Studios. Currently, we have four dedicated drum teachers sharing their passion for drumming with the people of Sleaford. However, much of our equipment is aging and in constant need of repair. With these generous contributions, we can upgrade our drum kits, cymbals, and hardware to ensure both students and teachers have the best possible resources.

Beyond equipment improvements, we have ambitious plans to honor Nigel’s legacy. We would love to host an event in his name, featuring performances from young bands and drummers. Additionally, we hope to provide opportunities for aspiring musicians, including:

Equipment for students from less privileged backgrounds

Practice pads and sticks for every student

Free lessons for those in need

Free rock band workshops

Marching band initiatives

Every donation will go directly towards enriching the drumming community at Shug Studios. We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity and are committed to making Nigel and his family proud by continuing his legacy in a meaningful way.