We said farewell a couple of days ago now grandad. I only feel as though it was farewell because when I got back to Northampton I could feel as though you were with me :)
When I moved here I didn’t realise that you had grown up here, so it was a happy coincidence. Your visits here were fantastic, I loved seeing and learning about your life here and even seeing your houses.
I could have looked at all of the photographs you had stored for days, and I think that my love of looking to the past came from you. I also think that my work ethic of always striving to do something meaningful came from you. I always used to think to myself - would gran and grandad be proud of me if I worked here? That was because you always told me stories of your work and travels, it inspired me.
I remember you sitting quietly in the evening in Bridport with your hair combed and smart pyjamas and to be honest I did always wonder how you could be so absorbed in the paper..! But seeing you do that is something I will always remember.
Thank you for always being calm, kind and caring. You made sure we didn’t go without when we were growing up, the holidays to Cornwall, the lunches, flapjacks (!), ice creams and dinners at the Badger. You must have spent so much on us. I didn’t realise it at the time but I look back now and think about it all the time.
When I saw you on my birthday a couple of weeks ago you opened your eyes and they looked so big and blue, it was amazing. I chatted to you about the family and that it was my birthday and you reached out for my hand. I feel so lucky to have been there with you for that day. You were quietly clever and incredibly funny, I don’t know if you knew :)
Thank you for your kindness, thank you for being a great example to us all. I’m proud to be living where you grew up and I’ll continue to keep up with my love of history and to always keep learning, like you. I’ll also make sure I have the odd flapjack or apple pie for lunch :)
Lots of love
Chantelle xxx
Chantelle
13th November 2020
From the Cornish contingent - We have lots of lovely memories of Uncle Jim as a quiet, gentle man. Memories of holidays when he came to Cornwall and always how welcome he made us when we came to visit. As ever, it's a shame we didn't get to know him better as he was obviously an intelligent man who had led a very interesting life. It's was unfortunate that due to circumstances in the world at the moment weren't able to visit in recent times. We will be thinking of you all today at the service and always be thinking of Uncle Jim with warm memories.
Rachel
11th November 2020
Uncle Jim was a lovely man. Although I didn't see much of him while I was growing up, I remember him making me laugh in his own quiet way. Rob took an instant liking to him, and enjoyed listening to his stories very much.
Sarah
10th November 2020