Archive for April, 2008

Whilst at work today I was a witness to an attempted robbery! I was working in the the shop and I heard a commotion outside so I looked out and saw what I would term a chav (complete with tracksuit) tackling a security man who had come to take the money earned at the station away. The security guard was knocked to the ground and the box of money was stolen and the chav proceeded to run off. He was herded by a passer-by but chav got round him. Chav was tackled to ground by a builder (there’s lots of building work going on at the station so there’s always a builder about) and the box was dropped. A tussle enusued and someone from the member of staff from the station managed to get the box of money away. Then a car turns up and drives over the pavement and the chav manages to get up and get in the car and drive off. I (and a few station staff) managed to get the car number plate though the car may well have been stolen. The builder was the hero, because if it wasn’t for him the money would have been accompanying the chav in the car.

The police turned up and I gave them a statement in our office for over an hour.

News item

Dog pet tux so your pooch can look smart for your big day. Price: £29.98

I had a lovely pampering session with a holistic therapist today. I had a full body aromatherapy massage, holistic facial and reflexology. Two and half hours of bliss. It was so relaxing I think I nodded off because I awoke myself with a little snore!

Mum’s funeral took place last Monday at Tarn Moor near Skipton, West Yorkshire. Tarn Moor is a green burial site with 10 acres of land that is being turned into woodland. They have active conservation principles and ask all coffins to be biodegradable. Tarn Moor is set in a stunning location, one view looks towards Embsay Crag. When we visited, albeit in terrible weather, there were a few wildflowers coming through and a lapwing flying overhead. This is what appealed to us, the fact that it’s more countryside than cemetery. In fact it barely resembles a cemetery at all as there are no headstones.

We had a service at the funeral director’s chapel (we used Eaton & Sons in Ilkley whom I recommend) which was more of a nice room really because we asked for all religious paraphenalia to be removed. Wendy Pratt, who runs Tarn Moor, gave the service. She is lovely lady who was very helpful and gave us guidance when we weren’t sure quite what we wanted. My dad chose the music for the service which was special to him and mum -
If I was a Carpenter – the Four Tops (it was in the charts when they were dating)
Sweet Baby James – James Taylor

My brother got up to speak and I am so proud he was able to do so because I couldn’t due to nerves and crying. He spoke about how mum was kind and there isn’t a bad word you could say about our mum as she was so loving.

Wendy read a poem by Joyce Grenfell which was fitting because mum loved her and we thought the poem was poignant

Life Goes On
If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower
Nor inscribe a stone
Nor when I am gone
Speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves
That I have known
Weep if you must
Parting is hell
But life goes on
So …. sing as well

Then we travelled to Tarn Moor where mum was interred. She was burried in a bamboo coffin with our family flowers which were purple and lilac – her favourite colours. We asked for donations to the Royal Society of the Protection of Birds instead of flowers. Dad, Ian and I sprinkled some earth on her and threw some daffodils from their garden onto the coffin. Then as a parting point Yeh Yeh – Georgie Fame was played.

It was such a hard day to go through but everything was so fitting as mum was an greenie and an ardent recycler. She loved her garden and wildlife and birds in particular so Tarn Moor was just right.