It is with great regret that we have to report the sad news of the death of our dear friend and colleague Alan Blakemore, known to many as B.A. or Big Al. Alan passed away, at the age of 59 years, during the early hours of Wednesday 4th December 2013 at New Cross Hospital Wolverhampton, following a short but very bravely fought battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his wife, Shannon, daughter and two sons and other close family members.
Everyone at M&J Drilling Services would like to offer our condolences and support to the family during this very sad time.
Alan worked for M&J Drilling as a Driller and then Lead Driller for more than 25 years, having first joined the company in 1987. In recent years Alan, ably assisted by his co-drilling colleague and son-in-law Leigh, undertook some of the more complex and specialist drilling and grouting operations that the company worked on, in particular for the Coal Authority and other clients involving our mini-drilling rigs. The 
works were at times quite physically demanding and required a skillful and patient approach, which both Alan and Leigh took in their stride. The degree to which they achieved success on all the jobs they carried out is exemplified by the fact that around 90% of all the client compliments that we have on record relate to works undertaken by them.
All who knew Alan would know what a great man he was, not only in physique and strength, having previously been a contender in the Britain’s Strongest Man competitions, but in the boundless realms of his generosity, and willingness to simply give freely to others of his time and support. Once again the drilling and grouting industry has lost one of its shining lights, who will never be forgotten.
It is with great regret that we have to report the sad news of the death of our dear friend and colleague Les Nichol, who passed away suddenly on the morning of Monday 10th August 2009. It is a monumental loss to his wife Denise and two young daughters and an immeasurable loss to us at M&J and the industry as a whole. Everyone at M&J Drilling Services would like to offer our condolences and support to the family during this very sad time.