TRIBUTES have been paid to a “larger than life” former beer festival organiser who has died at the age of 62.

Dave Nunn was a stalwart of Colchester’s CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale - branch and organised the town’s beer festivals in 2004 and 2005.

Part of a group of friends affectionately known as “The Professionals”, Mr Nunn loved his ales, ciders, pubs and festivals. He was also keen on fishing, camping, playing darts and snooker.

Rugby, in particular Colchester Rugby Club, was another great passion and he regularly attended games at the club’s former Mill Road ground.

Known as “Big D”, he also had a great love of music, a massive record collection and was a walking encyclopaedia of 70s rock.

Mr Nunn, a self-employed professional job interviewer for clients across the globe, was a larger than life character in every sense - over six feet tall and identifiable by his tendency to wear shorts, even in the coldest midwinter.

A CAMRA member for more than 40 years, he had held most of the major branch positions, finishing his committee involvement as beer festival organiser.

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He had an aptitude for reading and understanding conditions and regulations and being able to quote the requisite sections with little effort.

He was responsible for putting the festival on a more professional footing and laying the foundations for the success of future festivals.

On his first festival as organiser, he fell ill and missed the entire festival. However, he had organised it so well no-one missed him.

Mr Nunn, who more recently worked in the Jobcentre and lived in Nunn’s Road, Colchester, had been seriously ill for some time and died last month.

He was rarely seen without a smile on his face and an often self-depreciating quip.

He did not want a big funeral service but his friends gathered to raise a glass to him.