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Home Working

Just been playing with something called Remote Desktop.  A small piece of software means that you can use any computer as though it were the one at work, giving exactly the same access to network files, programs, etc.  Works really well and will be a boon if snow prevents journeys to college again or if you suddenly wake in the middle of the night realising you've forgotten to do something.  Not that this ever happens, of course....

And yes, I do realise how bloody sad that sounds.  :-o

George H Broddle

The funeral was held today for my lifelong friend, George Broddle.  Along with Robert Mason, it was my privilege to be asked to be George's Executor and this is the eology read at the service, which says something about George.

"George was born on 30 August 1923. He proudly served in the RAF, and then after the war his working life centred on the fishing industry. He worked on the docks, coordinating the supply of fish to fishmongers and fish and chip shops across the country. George was always smartly dressed in collar and tie, and was called Herbert by his colleagues to distinguish him from another George. Due to the demise of the fishing industry, he became an office worker in the frozen food industry, although he maintained a life long interest in testing out fish and chip shops.

George’s first marriage to Dorothy was characterised by love, mutual support and their home being a place where visitors were always welcome, including friends from his RAF service days. George was a faithful member of the Methodist church initially at the Grimsby Central Hall and then finally at Wellington Street. He not only regularly attended worship but was also very active within the life of the church and circuit. George held the offices of church steward, circuit steward and Sunday School treasurer. He also on occasion led services in small villages, Dorothy would preach and friends would help out by reading lessons and by singing their hearts out. George didn’t really have a hobby, in the traditional sense, as his contributions to the Central Hall took up much of his spare time and he was also treasurer of the local asthma society. He certainly became a good friend to many in the congregation and they to him. Barry de Graff’s family being such an example.. People who George and Dorothy knew, through their connection with the Central Hall, often took their sandwiches to 107 Newmarket Street and George enjoyed coming home for lunch and catching up with them and their news.

Following the closure of the Central Hall or ‘The Mission’ as it was known and the death of Dorothy in 1980 to cancer, George was less involved in the responsibilities of the church but was still a regular at worship. He later married Jean, a long standing friend of both him and Dorothy from the Central Hall. Sadly Jean died following an operation so their time together was shorter than both had hoped. George dealt with bereavement in a calm controlled way but was desperately sad at the losses he endured.  In Gwen he found a wonderfully supportive friend and helper. The friendship they shared was huge and each played an immense part in the other’s life. Sometimes people find diamonds and George did in his friend Gwen.

George through marriage became a very close friend to Robert’s parents,Joe and Elsie Mason, and so Robert has known George all his life. He feels very fortunate to have been treated like the son George and Dorothy didn’t have. During the football season Robert remembers having dinner with George and Dorothy and then, along with Joe they would walk to Blundell Park to watch the football. Indeed George in the post war period went to some away matches and attended Town’s last visit to Arsenal in the old First Division. Going to the match was ‘open air mission!’ Robert’s family left Grimsby in 1955, but he regularly spent most of his summer holidays with George and Dorothy. Later they gave a fantastically warm welcome to Daphne his wife and George was Elsie’s escort at their wedding as Joe had died less than a year before. Robert says they will always remember the family Christmas Dorothy and George shared with them in Peterborough and know how much George thought Daniel and Tamsin were his adopted grand children. Although George was never a parent he would have made a very conscientious one, He was certainly kind and always enjoyed the company of the children of ex service colleagues, the Pannell boys, the de Graffs and those of other close family friends. He devoted many hours to those children who were part of the family at the Central Hall.

I am sure you will each have your own memories of George. He had a good, healthy appetite and particularly enjoyed trifle as a dessert! He was a pleasure to know and could be a superb practitioner of being laid back. But put simply George was a quiet, unassuming Christian gentleman." 

International Questions

Teaching at the University Centre in Grimsby brings with it some unexpected but welcome surprises.  I was honoured this last week to be asked by a Lebanese student about my view of his family's considerations concerning a change of name for their family company.  The company had previously been founded in his grandfather's name.  Later "and Sons" had been added to indicate the involvement of the next generation.  The situation now is that the company is beginning to trade globally, including seeking markets in the UK, and they are anxious to present a professional image to potential customers.  Hence his question to me.  Not only that, though, but both his brother AND sisters are involved in the company and they want to convey that to the world.  Could "& Sons" be changed to "& Generations"? Or "& Family"?

Fascinating question and one which suggests Lebanon (or at least this family) may be way ahead of other countries in its inclusiveness!

The photo is totally unrelated but shows our newly installed solar panels!

Reality

Had a good morning today sharing in worship at Beaconthorpe Methodist Church in Cleethorpes.  Made to feel very welcome but we didn't shirk away from the reality of life - we considered the Lectionary Psalm (8) and the day's Gospel reading in the context of the week's news of child abductions and allegations of sexual assault of teenage girls by now deceased celebrities.  Christian worship has to be rooted in the life we share on Mother Earth and not set apart.  So we also celebrated this last week's Feast Day of St Francis.

Afterwards, it was so good to meet the son of the late Colin Carr, a celebrated local artist famed for his depictions of local scenes in North East Lincolnshire & round about.  His son, also called Colin, is giving a talk about his father and his work at the National Fishing Heritage Centre on 1 November.  It promises to be a really interesting evening.

Saturdays

Saturdays.  Made for lie-ins.  Especially after a long week of teaching.  Made for almond croissants and the Yorkshire Post for breakfast.  Especially now that we have a Tesco Express close by (the old Market Hotel building).  Did I ever say how much I love the Yorkshire Post?  Especially on a Saturday.  This is odd for someone who grew up with an aversion to Yorkshire.  I think that aversion may have started when Anglia Television was replaced by Yorkshire Television as our ITV channel way way back.

Anyway, I love the Yorkshire Post.  I'd take out a subscription but I'd never get through them all.  I still have most of last week's sections unread.  I love it all the same.  Especially the Saturday magazine.  There's always an interview with a famous Yorkshire man/woman.  They're usually from Lancashire or darn sarf.  Today it is Revd Chris Howson, currently serving in Bradford but soon to be chaplain at Sunderland University.

One of the questions he's asked is to name his favourite Yorkshire book/author/artist/CD/performer.  His answer is actually exactly what I would say.  "I've always had a soft spot for, and am a big fan of, Chumbawamba, who are such creative alternative musicians - they've certainly come a long way from living in a squat in Armley in Leeds.  And another musician and singer that I admire greatly is South Yorkshire's Kate Rusby.  She could sing the opening page of the phone book for me. and still be enchanting and original."

Did I ever mention that I know someone on Twitter who rang the church bells at Kate Rusby's wedding?