David Hadden obituary

Our friend David Hadden, who has died from cancer aged 61, was an accomplished engineer specialising in blast damage to buildings. He was also an inquisitive, liberal-minded man, a music lover and devoted father and husband.

Born in Belfast to John, who ran the Rosebank Weaving Company, and his wife, Louie, Dave was educated at Belfast Royal academy, where he enjoyed playing rugby and golf. We first met him when we all went to St Catharine's College, Cambridge, in 1973. There we developed a shared affinity for traditional music. Dave had broad musical tastes, though he drew the line at jazz.