Dark days at Kensmyth, Clay Meadow

We have received some very sad news that my Uncle has died. Our prayers go to his family and especially his children and to my Father who is his brother and of course Mum. It is a terrible thing to have to telephone your parents with such sad news and it is by no means the first time I have had to do this and I very much doubt it will be the last.

He was a cheerful happy gentleman, such a big part of my childhood and life – one of those people whom you never forget and always looked forward to seeing… my fondest memory of him was when we were sat at Aintree at breakfast and he asked me who I was going to put my money on in the Grand National. When I said “Red Rum” he burst out laughing and said he would never win for a third time – well guess who had the last laugh on that occasion. I remember he thought it was hilarious I should have predicted such a thing.

So many happy memories of a man who was devoted to his family and only wife who sadly lost her fight to cancer very young many decades ago and he stayed faithful to her memory. They will be together now of course.

I always have songs to remember people by and because of his total devotion to his wife and his memory of her after she died, I always thought he was so handsome it was such a waste and so Simply Reds song is the one that reminds me most of him with the words “ill keep holding on” because I know he was waiting to be with his beloved Ann again when he died. Play it and you will understand.

Rest in peace Uncle Eddie – you were a superstar.