Special memories
 
We are sorry so many people can’t be here in person to convey their memories of George, but the family has received very many cards of sympathy with memories of him (for which we thank you so much). So here are a few of those memories, together with some memories of our own of our Grandpa George. 
When Peter and I were little, Grandpa would always come on our play date to see our friends in Tilehurst. He and his friend, Arthur, enjoyed time together whilst we played with his grandchildren - Kate, Anna and Christina, and the mums chatted.
Grandpa told us he enjoyed going into schools to take assemblies and be Father Christmas every year. Our secretary at Radstock, Sue Abery, remembers smuggling him into the staffroom and seeing him re-emerge dressed in red. Andrea, the head at   WillowBank Infants school, remembers there was always a long queue to see him.  He also amazed us by his involvement with holiday bible clubs and the youth club at Woodley – even in his eighties.
Grandpa will be missed by so many friends in Woodley. Audrey will always remember him sitting next to her husband, Keith at Wesley Guild and describes him as a true gentleman. Judith and Richard describe him as ‘a treasure to us all’ and Allan mentions his wise counsel, his constant interest in the lives of others and his great Christian witness. Merry and Grant remember his talk about being a Bevin boy down the pits after the war when coal was scarce. Robert says that Grandpa was loved and admired by so many at Christchurch. Others have wonderful memories of him in the pulpit - and how much he enjoyed fellowship meals!! He could always be relied upon to answer a question or give a talk.
Joyce and Roger say they always enjoyed meeting Grandpa, and listening to his memories of Derbyshire. He seemed to know more about the county than they did – and they live there.
Alex recalls George was a real second father to him – right from his first ever visit as the new boyfriend - when he tipped gravy all over the Sunday lunch table!! Even so, Alex was welcomed into the family willingly and over many years he was always there if we needed any help. Alex can’t remember him once complaining about the rigours of old age, and when the time came when he needed help, he always made a point of thanking us for anything we did for him.
As a family we remember the times we were together on holiday, in Studland (Dorset) and later, in other places. We remember the many birthdays and Christmases we have shared playing lots of games and right up to the end of his life he loved to play dominoes with us.
He loved his life as a Methodist minister, but most importantly he was a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather: caring, optimistic and always had time for us. To quote Peter – “A life quite brilliantly lived“