Farewell Colin Lawrence

Over 150 people from in and around the parish packed into Broadwindsor’s St. John the Baptist church yesterday afternoon to attend the funeral of Colin Lawrence who died on 23rd December 2022.

After the opening hymn ‘All things bright and beautiful‘, Colin’s granddaughter, Amy read a poem –

‘Goodbye Grandad’

Heaven has received another angel,
The night sky another star.
Your life has become a loving memory.
I know you will never be far.
I know you’re watching over me
As my life goes on.
I will treasure the memories I have of you.
I can’t believe you’re gone.
You were a loving, caring grandad
You were there for me a lot.
You will always hold a place in my heart,
A loving treasured spot.
You were really one in a million,
A cut above the rest.
All who knew you would agree.
You simply were the best.
So, Grandad, I will say goodbye.
I love and miss you with all my heart,
But as long as I have my loving memories,
We will never be too far apart.

Scroll

Rev. David Baldwin read the Eulogy prepared by his family:

Colin was born on the 2nd May 1937 and was the youngest son of Kathleen & Cyril, & lived at Seavington St Mary, near Ilminster. He had one brother, Keith. He attended schools in Ilminster. On leaving school he worked on a local farm and following this he did National Service in the Royal Air Force, his section being the Fire Brigade Crew. Some of this time was spent in Germany.

One winters night in 1956, Valerie & 3 of her friends were in Broadwindsor Square when they heard the sound of a motorbike approaching from Drimpton Road. On the bike was Colin riding pillion behind his brother!! After their first meeting, Colin continued to cycle from Seavington St Mary to Broadwindsor every weekend as due to work commitments that was the only spare time he had. This was the start of their romance & 64 years of marriage!

In 1958, on Boxing Day, they were married here in Broadwindsor Church whilst Colin was home on leave. There first marital home was in Burstock.

In 1961, Mandy was born. Unfortunately, Colin was away training in Finchley for the Fire Service so he missed this event.

Following his National Service he then worked for Newmans of Beaminster assisting with the digging of boreholes. After this he then drove for South Western Farmers in Crewkerne delivering animal feeds.

In 1966, Wayne was born and Colin was present this time!!

In the late 60s, Colin started driving for Ready Mixed Concrete until he retired, and still remained in contact with former workmates. The family recalls whenever they were on their travels in Dorset or Somerset, Colin would often comment, ‘I‘ve delivered concrete there‘, and would often remember what was being built at the time.

Sadly Colin lost his Brother, Keith, which left a huge hole in his life as they were so close, and used to visit one another on a weekly basis.

In 1971, the family moved to Broadwindsor, then in 2005 returned back to Burstock.

From 1972 – 1992 he served as a Special Constable working from Bridport Police Station. This was a job he enjoyed doing, giving back to the community.

In 1996, Amy arrived which made him the proudest Grandad ever. The family enjoyed many happy holidays together in Cornwall during Amy’s early years. He was so proud of her tennis achievements, which I’m sure you’re all aware of!! Amy can remember how he used to play tennis with her in the road at Burstock, and even in his 60s he could give her a run for her money. He also hit many balls in the neighbours gardens!

Colin loved the outdoors. He loved shooting, beating & gardening. He also played in a skittles team in the Cattistock Hunt League. Colin & Valerie also belonged to Broadwindsor Over 60s club which met monthly, and revelled in the outings. Through these interests he’s made many close friendships. Up until recently he was still gardening for Michelle & Mick at Broadwindsor, and Jackie & John at Clapton, despite having a large garden of his own. He liked helping other people out! He also loved animals. Over recent years has tamed many a stray cat, and they’ve all been given names.

Colin never lost his sense of humour whilst in hospital. On one occasion when Mandy & Amy visited him and the Nurse asked him who they were, he pointed at Amy and said, ‘That’s my Amy’, then pointed to Mandy and said, ‘She’s from Dorset’. It’s clear to say Mandy wasn’t expecting that!!

All of you that are here today will know that Colin was a positive, thoughtful, caring and loving family man, and would do anything to help anyone. However, his time keeping was not always the best, even in his final moments. Mandy and Amy having spent 32 hours by his bedside, the Nurses moved him into a side room, during this short distance with no one by his side he passed away much to the surprise of everyone. Particularly Amy, who uttered words that can not be repeated today!

Colin may be gone but will never be forgotten, and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Scroll

A lovely poignant poem followed:

Always there

When you remember me,

Please do not weep.

My body may not be there.

It has chosen to sleep.

 I’m not far away.

My soul lives on,

Looking down, watching over

You and everyone.

And when you feel sad

And life seems so blue,

Just remember

That my spirit has its arms around you.

And on those special days

Times that you wish I could see,

That cool breeze flowing past you…

Well, that will be me,

So don’t be sad.

Have no fear.

God has taken me under his wing,

But I’ll always be near.

I still watch you

Every minute, every day.

My love and soul are with you,

And that’s where they will stay.

Colin exited the church to the music ‘Always look on the bright side of life‘ performed by The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Commander in Chief Fleet. The Committal took place at Burstock Churchyard.
Afterwards, friends and family gathered together at the Comrades Hall to enjoy a lovely buffet and to share and celebrate their memories of Colin.

Any donations in Colin‘s name are requested to go to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.


❤ Colin Gerald Lawrence 02.05.1937 – 23.12.2022  ❤

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#Village,#Community,#SadLoss,#Family,#Love,#Thoughts,#Prayers,#Funeral,#BeaminsterTeamChurches,#Wake,#Celebration,#Farewell,#MissYou,#LoveYou,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Harold Jenkins 16.01.1940 – 14.01.2023

Sadly, village resident, Harold Jenkins died peacefully in his sleep at home on Saturday morning.

Harold & his wife Margaret operated as First Responders for several years within our community. Harold was also a judge for many photographic competitions including The Melplash Show.

Harold leaves behind his wife, Margaret with whom he celebrated their Diamond (60 years) anniversary at the end of last year and his two children, Nick & Elizabeth.

There will be a private cremation and a remembrance service will be held at a later date. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

❤ Harold Jenkins  16.01.1940 – 14.01.2023  ❤

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#Village,#Community,#SadLoss,#Family,#Thoughts,#Prayers,#FirstResponders,#MissYou,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Funeral Arrangements For Colin Lawrence

The funeral service for Colin Lawrence, who passed away on 23rd December 2022, will take place at St. John the Baptist Church in Broadwindsor on Wednesday, 25th January at 2pm. His burial will then take place at St. Andrew’s church in Burstock.

Colin’s wake will be at the Comrades Hall, Broadwindsor and all his friends are invited to attend. Our love, thoughts and prayers go out to Val, Mandy, Wayne & granddaughter, Amy ❤


Family flowers only please. Any donations, please send to the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance HERE or by mail to c/o A J Wakely & Sons, 7 North Street, Beaminster, DT8 3DZ.

 


❤ Colin Lawrence 02.05.1937 – 23.12.2022  ❤

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#Village,#Community,#SadLoss,#Family,#Love,#Thoughts,#Prayers,#Funeral,#BeaminsterTeamChurches,#Wake,#Celebration,#Farewell,#MissYou,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Colin Lawrence 02.05.1937 – 23.12.22

It is with a heavy heart to announce the passing of Burstock resident, Colin Lawrence who died yesterday afternoon at Yeovil Hospital.

Colin was well known within our parish community for many things but particularly, his willingness to help and how fit he was for his age.  Colin died after a relatively short illness with family by his side.  He leaves behind his beloved wife Val, who would have celebrated 64 years of marriage with him on Boxing Day, and his two children, Mandy & Wayne.

Details of his funeral will be published in the New Year.  Our love, thoughts and prayers go out to them all at this particularly poignant time.

❤ Colin Lawrence 02.05.1937 – 23.12.2022  ❤

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#Village,#Community,#SadLoss, #Family,#Christmastime,#Love,#Thoughts,#Prayers,#MissYou,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Funeral Arrangements for Julie Steele

Julie Steele‘s funeral service will take place on Friday, 6th January at 2pm in St. John the Baptist church in BroadwindsorJulie requested that everyone please dress with colour 🙂

Julie, who died on Monday, 12th, always had a huge smile for everyone throughout her long struggle with cancer and will be sorely missed in her role as President of the village’s W.I.

Julie‘s service will be followed by her wake at the Comrades Hall.

❤ Julie Steele 21.07.1965– 12.12.2022 ❤

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#Village,#Community,#WI,#Funeral,#StJohnTheBaptistChurch,#Respect,#Thoughts,#Prayers,#MissYou,#Farewell,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

W.I. President Julie Steele, 21.07.65 -12.12.22

Broadwindsor’s Women’s Institute announced on their website earlier today that their president, Julie Steele had died on Monday, 12th December. Their announcement read:

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend and former President Julie Steele, following a long struggle with cancer.  Julie was the most outgoing, fun, bubbly lady one would ever hope to meet, and a real leading light at our WI.  We are heartbroken.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family & friends at this very sad time.


#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#Village
,#Community,#WI,#TragicLoss,#Thoughts,#Prayers,#MissYou,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Rural Business Awards Live Stream – Updated

David Leader was a finalist for Community Contribution Award & unfortunately did not win.

The award ceremony began at 4.30pm this afternoon from St Martin in the Fields, London – You can watch the ceremony HERE.

Elaine Leader attended with Margery Hookings accompanying her.  The whole community was with them in spirit. Lucy Turner from the New Inn Pub & Community Cafe in Somerset won the award.

David Leader remains our Community Champion!


#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#Village,#Community,#BWPC,#DavidLeader,#HopeYouVoted,#MissYou,#Award,#PlunkettFoundation,#NationalLotteryCommunityFund,#LowCarbonDorset,#Crowdfunder,#LetTheChildrenPlay,#Huck,#SportEngland,#SpeilBau,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#PlaySafe,#StaySafe

David Leader: Finalist In National Award Scheme – Vote Now

Our much missed councillor and friend, the late David Leader, who spearheaded the campaign to save Broadwindsor’s only pub, has been posthumously nominated and short listed as a finalist for the Community Contribution Award in the Plunkett Foundation’s annual Rural Community Business Awards.

Public vote now open – Click HERE – Closes this Friday, 4th November.

The Rural Community Business Awards celebrate inspirational and outstanding examples of community-owned businesses and the kind-hearted individuals involved in them, who have gone above and beyond for their communities over the last year. They stepped up to support their communities more than ever and the Rural Community Business Awards gives recognition and thanks to their efforts.

Rick Dyke, who took over as chairman of Broadwindsor Community Pub Ltd, after David’s sudden death in March this year, said: ‘We’re delighted that his work has been recognised by The Plunkett Foundation, a national charity which plays such a big role in supporting rural communities across the UK.’

David, whose kindness and commitment to the local community, touched everyone… When The White Lion,  Broadwindsor’s only pub closed in the summer of 2021, David Leader rallied the troops and got the local community on board to spearhead a campaign to re-open it as a community-owned pub. Rick continues, “David was always a very supportive, inclusive, energetic and enthusiastic champion for Broadwindsor. He made good things happen. Leading a committee and taking the local public with him, he headed a campaign to raise the funds needed to take on the pub tenancy as a community. Under David’s leadership a Crowdfunder campaign was launched and, astonishingly, smashed the target within a week. His enthusiasm, kindness and commitment inspired everyone to get on board.

David had already been the driving force of so many amazing things in the village – the multi-use games area (MUGA), youth’s football & the community sports field at Hursey and the Community Land Trust as well as acting as the village hall chairman and lunchtime supervisor at the village primary school. All this and a pro-active vice chairman of our parish council.  More so, he was a much loved husband and father.

The White Lion Management Committee had just taken on a pub manager, ready for opening in the spring of 2022 when David died suddenly on 13th March, 2022 at the age of just 64.

Rick Dyke said: ‘The village was shattered – we’d lost our driving force and the man behind so many good things. But we were determined to make this project happen, as a tribute to David’s memory, as a force for all that is good in the community.
‘The White Lion opened its doors as a community pub on 29 April 2022. And thanks to David Leader, the pub is once again the beating heart of our vibrant village.’

This month will also see the official opening on Saturday 12th November of the newly-revamped village green at Bernards’ Place, Broadwindsor, part of a major project in which David was instrumental and includes the installation of solar panels and an air source heat pump at the village hall.

The project was supported by a Crowdfunding campaign and grants from The National Lottery Community Fund, Dorset Council’s Capital Leverage Fund, Sport England’s Places and Spaces Fund and the local FMR Trust.

The winner of the Community Contribution Award and winners of the other award categories in the Plunkett and North Barnes Farm, in partnership with Welbeck Lane and Eton College Rural Community Business Awards, will be announced at a special ceremony on Thursday, 17th November at St Martin in the Fields, London, where Margery Hookings will be accompanying Elaine Leader. You can view the award ceremony live online, please tick the box when you vote. Further information about how to access the live-streaming will be sent out closer to the event date.

Public vote now open – Click HERE – Closes this Friday, 4th November.

❤ The village says Farewell to David Leader – Click HERE.


#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#Village,#Community,#BWPC,#DavidLeader,#VoteNow,#MissYou,#Award,#PlunkettFoundation,#NationalLotteryCommunityFund,#LowCarbonDorset,#Crowdfunder,#LetTheChildrenPlay,#Huck,#SportEngland,#SpeilBau,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#PlaySafe,#StaySafe

Father’s Day – Sunday, 19th June

Honouring fathers, grandfathers and all things paternal, Father’s Day has been celebrated on the third Sunday in June since 1910.

Both the Stableyard Restaurant & The White Lion are offering a delicious dinner – please call to check availability!

Thank the Americans!

Founded by the daughter of a U.S. Civil War Army veteran in 1910, in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day. Then in 1972, President Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father’s Day to be held on the 3rd Sunday of June each year. The U.K. follows this observation.

A customary day for the celebration of fatherhood in Catholic Europe is known to date back to at least 1508 and is usually celebrated on March 19th, recognised as the feast day of Saint Joseph.

In countries, including Spain and Portugal, Father’s Day is observed on 8th August.

Germany marks Father’s Day on Ascension Day in May or June, 40 days after Easter, while Australia and New Zealand commemorate it on the first Sunday in September.

In Thailand, Father’s Day is celebrated on 5th December, the birthday of their late king who was considered the ‘Father of the Nation‘.

Russia continues a tradition from the Soviet Union of celebrating “Man’s Day” on ‘Defender of the Fatherland Day’ on 23rd February, which marks the first mass draft into the Red Army.

In addition to Father’s Day, International Men’s Day is celebrated in many countries on November 19th (on a Saturday this year) in honour of both men and boys.

Enjoy a Happy Father’s Day 🙂

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#Village,#Community,#FathersDay,#Men,#Boys,#Dads,#Grandad,#Love,#Clebrate,#MissYou,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

David Leader’s Cortège – Monday, 11th April, 11am

Tomorrow morning at 11am, David Leader’s cortège will drive through our village of Broadwindsor.

David died suddenly on Sunday, 13th March leaving his family – Elaine, Ryan and Rosie, our community and almost anyone whoever came into contact with him devastated.  As a mark of respect, Broadwindsor Community Stores will be closed from 11am – 1pm.

Elaine stated that David would have wanted everyone to dress casually, informally and in your everyday clothes with lots of colour

After the cortège has left the village, the funeral service at Yeovil Crematorium is for family only please.

At 12 noon, the service will be available to watch live and you are welcome to join others at The Comrades Hall, Broadwindsor.

Alternatively, you may use the link provided below to watch the service wherever is convenient for you.

Here is the link (watch live at 12 noon and watch again) :-
Visit the Website:  https://watch.obitus.com (This will open in a separate window)

Please use the following to login:-

Username: hiya4579
Password: 968912

At 3pm, everyone is warmly invited to join the family at the Comrades Hall to celebrate David’s life.

No flowers were requested, but greatly appreciated are donations to the following organisations, which were all closely supported by David: RSPB, Woodland Trust, Cancer Research , Samaritans and Oxfam (Each charity will open it’s own window).

❤ David Leader, 24.11.1957 – 13.03.2022 ❤

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#Village,#Community,#BWPC,#TragicLoss,#Thoughts,#Saddness,#Prayers,#Funeral,#PayRespects,#Cortège,#MissYou,#CelebrateLife,#RSPB,#WoodlandTrust,#CancerResearch,#Samaritans,#Oxfam,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe