We said farewell to Dave.
Excellent attendance as the family was shocked to see about 130 attendees as Susan was expecting 30-50. The Vicar even advised Susan not to look around as we sat in Taunton Crematorium lest she be a little shocked.
It soon became clear why so many were there as Rev Ruth Rogers listed his exploits in Football, Cricket, Golf, Hockey and Badminton.
He never went very far from his roots in Tatworth back on 29th November 1944, so he just failed to reach his 72nd Birthday. He may not have strayed far, but one of his relatives informed us that his roots lay with the Napoleonic Prisoners of War that were held captive in Devon on rotting hulks, back in the 1700's.
Big Family bench at the front with Daughters Sarah and Catherine, along with about 6 Grandchildren.
The Vicar listed some of his exploits since his carpentry Apprenticeship with Chubbs, such as a 2-storey luxury rabbit hutch or fixing all the chairs up at Barley Mow, where he was officially known as 'Mr Chairman'.
Great support from the Golfing fraternity with Ian Dodd, John Pearce, Ted Bryden, Stuart Pope, Tony & Graham Johnson, Alan Davis, Nick Hill, Mike Burt, Frank Martin, Terry Singleton, Mike Banfield, Mike Dawson, Keith Potter & Malcolm Roy . I know Alan and Jenny Chance were particular upset for not being able to make it and we made their specific apologies to Daughter Sarah who came up and chatted to us, wondering who all those handsome Men were.
We never had a chance to talk to Susan as she had a huge queue waiting to pass their condolences.
Just one Hymn was sung, Lord of hopefulness.
Very appropriate line in verse 2;
"Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe...."
and that was it, we left in the bright sunshine to the sound of Fields of Gold by Eva Cassidy.
JKP
