C and J Campbell

Already our happy corner is a changed place. Even small things such is "is it black or green bin day today"? A quick jaunt across the road to see which colour Roy had put out, always provided the correct answer. Now, with this fine spring, how much we miss Roy's company, even if it would have had to have been at a social distance, over a glass of red, then another and invariably finished off with a dram to make sure we found our way home. Roy's intellect was extraordinary. He could talk on any subject. Even when his sight and hearing were failing, he was able to explain in absolute detail, issues such as how Brexit would impact on the Irish border. Hearing him talk of his time in the coal mines with the pit ponies during the war was always fascinating. When the government belatedly recognised the contribution of the Bevin Boys, with typical modesty, Roy absolutely refused to collect his Gong for his service to his country. The first occasion that all might not be well was at the election before Christmas. Roy did not vote, although it had often been our habit to go to the polling station together and have a good laugh and a beer afterwards : Tory v rock hard labour. Roy never missed a vote. Then when he was in hospital after Christmas, his manners and thought for others remained undiminished : apologies and concern that there was not a chair to sit on when we paid our last visit. As if it mattered . Just typical of a fine man we were privileged to know for thirty years and are better people because of that.

£50.00 (+ £12.50 Gift Aid)

Anonymous

J xxx

£50.00

Anonymous

£20.00 (+ £5.00 Gift Aid)

Jim & Liz Woodger

Stuart and Diana Hughes

Roy was a good friend and a fine public servant; he was always great company and we enjoyed our times together.

£40.00 (+ £10.00 Gift Aid)

Audrey

In memory of Roy a lovely man nice to have known

£20.00 (+ £5.00 Gift Aid)

Sharon, David & Victoria Price

In memory of Roy. A gentleman. RIP.

£50.00

Jenny Lynch

Although I only met you a few times I knew so much about you through Lucy. God Bless you Roy - Jenny XX

£50.00

Sheila and Gordon and family

Roy was a wonderful man. Charming and considerate, friend and family. One of our sons called him “kind” and that is how we remember him. We enjoyed our time with Joanne and Roy, but there are many special memories of Roy. Among them.......An afternoon with him in the library, the two of us listening to The Marriage of Figaro with no interruptions and no talk. Or when he arrived at Vancouver airport with a table in his case! Or the way he sat calmly in the front when Gordon drove at hair raising speeds in Italy. Joanne and I had retreated to the back seat. Or the way he soothed a jet lagged baby many years ago. We will miss him, and we will treasure the happy days we spent together. A true friend, and a huge loss to all of us.

£50.00

Lindsay and Duncan

Dear Roy, we will miss you, you brought joy, laughter and love into our lives. We really enjoyed our trips to Syleham to see you and Joanne in the beautiful Suffolk countryside, never a dull moment. From humble beginnings you became a Bevan boy and then on to being the head of education in Islington, quite amazing. We will miss you, your passion for wine, gardening, d i y, books, opera, cactus, whisky and most importantly your family. You were a truly lovely man, rest in peace, love Lindsay and Duncan xx

£50.00 (+ £12.50 Gift Aid)

June & John Kempsell

Jo

Dear Roy Thank you for making me feel like one of your family and even extending that to welcome other members of my family into your home after Mum and Colin had the fire. It was generous and they will always appreciate it. Thank you for showing such an interest in me and making me feel like you saw me as a source of ideas for something you hadn't yet thought about; whether that was Scandanavian interiors or patchwork quilts. I know the stories I told about cutting peoples' hair who were street homeless whilst I was cutting your hair really captured your interest and humanity. (I am sorry I never quite worked out exactly where the comb-over section of your hair was meant to start; in truth I was secretly cutting it shorter and shorter). Thank you for being patient with me in response to all my gardening questions and coming up with, frustratingly good ideas, that I wish I had thought of. In truth, sometimes I think I had, but you would still believe they were your own (you are incredibly open minded but once your mind is made up that's that). Thank you for showing me how one can live through profound sadness and loss with strength and dignity by still noticing and appreciating the things you have whether that's seeing beauty in a plant or humour in a smutty joke. Thank you for being such a lovely grandfather; for always calling Jake 'love' and for your uncomplicated and unswerving support of Jess. Jake says he wishes he had been a bit older so that he had had longer to join you in political discussions now that his interest and knowledge aligns more with your's. (He is hoping to have some of your books though, so he will still think of you often). I enjoyed our times together on a Thursday, with the denial on both our parts about who the cake was really for (definitely you). I will miss you but will always be grateful for the impact you had on my life. Thank you. Love Jo

£50.00 (+ £12.50 Gift Aid)

Milly

Dear Dad as we have grown older I have increasingly enjoyed the wry shrug of your shoulders, your dry sense of humour and respectful observations of people with a twinkle in your eye. I have appreciated and been so interested in the breadth and depth of your knowledge of art, history and literature which you mostly shared with wit and a lightness, sometimes with a slightly pompous gravitas. I have been ever so slightly more understanding of your expectations of neatness and order, very happy to share your beautiful, high maintenance garden and low maintenance wine society offerings and your thoughtful reflections on how to solve a variety of problems ranging from moles in the garden, poor Arsenal defence, the Labour leadership, loneliness in society and how and where to hang a picture. I have become increasingly admiring of your stoicism and courage and belief in making the most of things and being interested in people and ideas. So impressive to keep that going even after the death of Joanne. You have been generous and thoughtful and very good company and I shall miss you.

£100.00 (+ £25.00 Gift Aid)

Anonymous

Rest in peace dad. Love always lucy xxx

£50.00 (+ £12.50 Gift Aid)