Let the Side Show Begin
Step right up
Roll a penny!
Throw a dart!
Hook a duck!
It can't be hard?
Smell the onions
Hotdogs too
Toffee apples
Candyfloss
Just for you.
Open your ears
Listen to the sound
Screams of delight
As they go round and round.
Engines purring
Puffing away
Flashing lights
By night or day.
Young or Old
With a smile on their face
Money in their pockets
The "Fair" is the place.
TO
"HAVE FUN & BE HAPPY"
"A Pretty Amazing Man"
(Our Dad)
Many thanks to all my dads' family and friends for attending his service today. Most of you will know him through work or pleasure from the Homefire Plant Kerseley or Newdigate Social Club Smorrall Lane (many a social event held here)
There are a few people here today that have known my dad a lot longer than most, Alan & Isobel Cardell and family have known him for nearly 50 years, and they have been great friends throughout those long hard years.
I say HARD because there are something's that many people here today are not aware of and I would like to share some of these to show the HARD but enjoyable life he had.
Let's start at the beginning, born in 1931 into a hard working Northern mining family, one of 13 children (No television!) A HARD childhood but took everything thrown at him. Went to school until the age of 14 but left with NO qualifications and barely able to read or write ( he was no academic ) But he made his way through life without a struggle and was not hindered by his lack of schooling.
At 14 he entered the mans world of the coal mines, in those days they used pit ponies (he knew them all by name) this was HARD.
Married in 1953 (before you start counting I am 54!) still working in the mine with very little money and looking for a place to call home. My dad left the mine in the late 50s and did various other jobs like milkman (with a horse and cart!) and a hodcarrier on a building site, but still NO house to call a home!
So what did he do! We went to live in a farmer's field, in a caravan! (Ask Alan Cardell)
As mum and dad have said many times over the last 50 years "these were some of the best years" We stayed in this caravan on 2 different sites for the next 6/7 years, there are many stories to be told from these years but it would take hours maybe worth writing a book! One thing I will say is that if anyone had seen the size of this caravan you could not understand how 7 people lived in it! Here again the word HARD springs to mind, that's not just dad but the whole family.
Eventually we did get a house (made of bricks) and as a family thought we had hit the big time (well at least I did) it was about 10 miles from the old caravan but a world away in life style. But that word again HARD - out of work, no money, and just the day to day struggle made life difficult. But he kept his chin up, dug deep and got on with life.
In 1965 he left his wife and family of 5 children and travelled to Bedworth!!!!!!
(This was the end of the world for a Geordie miner!) With an offer from the then N.C.B. to work at the Homefire Plant Kerseley. He lodged in Kerseley for the next 12 months making life long friendships with the likes of Pete Connelly and but once again I hear that word HARD no family made it a very trying time.
But suddenly the door opened and the dark clouds started to pass over! It was 1966 England had just won the world cup and the Richardson family were on the move. We crossed the Tyne rail bridge heading south out of the industrial North East towards Warwickshire. A journey into the great unknown, but an adventure for us 5 kids but again it was HARD moving house and family 250 miles " BUT HE DID IT "
Not to long after coming to Warwickshire the family was complete David was born.
The job at the Homefire Plant was going well, kids had found new friends and settled in school and everything seemed to fall into place. I think by now the rest of dads family up North were thinking their brother had become a bit of a snob! But that was far from the truth; he travelled back as often as possible and never forgot his Northern roots. He had moved on, left the North East and was making a better life for his family and himself but in my eyes this was HARD and took guts and internal strength (That's our Dad!)
The last 43 years have thrown up many challenges, not least a miners strike and early retirement but all he took in his stride and got on with what he had to do "Work Hard" and enjoy life to the full.
We will ALL miss you Dad!!!!!
But we will NEVER FORGET the man we call "OUR DAD"
Do not stand!
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint in the snow.
I am the sunlight on the ripened grain.
I am the fresh gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush.
It's me that gives you that uplifting rush.
It's calm and quiet those birds in flight.
I am the starlight on a clear night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!
"Gone but not forgotten"
No more presents, not even a card.
Your time of passing for us is hard!
Rest in peace, with all your thoughts.
Although for us you know it hurts!
One day you were here, and then you were gone!
Not enough time for everyone.
To say goodbye, and a sad farewell.
For a husband, father and granddad as well.
What more can I say on this sad Fathers Day!
Only to wish you had not gone away.
Out of our lifes, but not our heart.
We will remember every year with a CARD
Life goes on I can hear you say.
And I am sure one day that will be the way.
But until then we stick together.
And remember you for ever and ever
Food for Thought!
My name is Bunter, Billy of course.
That fun loving lad that eats' like a horse.
My stomach is fat, solid and round.
But I move very quietly never making a sound.
Stealing food is an obsession of mine!
To make a feast to have a good time.
When boys and girls are wrapped up tight.
I creep out slowly in the dead of night.
Fat is fun, so people say!
Happy and bubbly you're supposed to stay.
But the truth of the matter is here to see.
Depressed and lonely is all you'll be.
Now I have a friend called Dina-mite.
She's chunky and strong and knows how to fight.
But she too needs to lose some weight.
To fight the flab before it's too late.
So with your help and a guiding arm.
We'd love to try a little health farm.
The clean fresh air would do us good.
And pump us full of fresh new blood.
"Truth"
Why oh why I hear you cry.
As you wipe away that tear.
Is it me! Is it you!
Now it's becoming clear
The fight is real, we chase the cause.
No matter what it brings.
For in our hearts we know the truth.
It's life, its love and wonderful things.
These things are yours to cherish.
With family and your friends.
So keep that smile upon your face.
As friendship NEVER ends!
Treat of the Day
Your friends arrive from near and far.
They've come by bus, not by car!
You share your humble fare together.
These friends are yours for ever and ever.
Your daughter is happy playing away.
Not a care in the world, it's a wonderful day.
Special times with special friends.
Barmy spring days, without any ends!
You laugh and you joke, enjoying your time.
As the world passes by, and oh how I pine!
Those days are golden, and treasured by all
When friends come calling, you're all having a ball.
So capture those memories, lock them away.
Keep safe and sound for another "Great Day"
e....................
This is the start of better things to come.
Just keep your mind focused on what you want
and where you want to go !
Everything in life has a purpose,and we have to use this to our advantage.
"Feeling Good" is a very positive thought !
Keep this as your No1 goal and "FEEL GOOD" whatever comes your way.
Friendship is a priceless gift that can't be bought or sold.
And to have an understanding friend,is worth much more than gold !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Open the gate,
and swing it wide,
smell the air!
and walk inside.
It's full of colour,
with names galore.
And month after month there's always more?
A place of comfort,
a place to rest.
Some say "It's peaceful"
But I'm only a guest.
I come and visit every week,
to sit and ponder,and sometimes speak.
Talking to memories,pictures NO sound!
Asking myself why!
Minuets turn to hours,
hours into days.
Our loved ones are gone
And I'm still in a daze!
