Friday 13 July 2012

More details as promised

Today has been a busy day trying to bring everything together for the 24th . I find myself in a totally bizarre situation as i am organising something i never ever thought would happen  and it is Robert im doing it for .

The funeral will take place at 12.00 on the 24th at Southwell Cathedral Minster .
I am organising the funeral myself and there will be no funeral directors present.

Robert will be taken to the Minster in an old converted white VW Camper Van Hearse which is a stunning vehicle in white ...no black allowed !

Robert will be in the minster from around 10am lying in a white cardboard coffin as this is going to be a natural burial in a woodland meadow.

You are invited to do a number of things . You can take along a rubber stamp and inkpad and stamp Roberts casket . You can write something on the casket or if you prefer you can take along a small sample of your artwork or a message and stick it to the casket using some double sided tape.

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND AND WOULD LIKE A SMALL PIECE OF YOUR TRIBUTE ARTWORK PLACED ON THE CASKET I WILL BE HAPPY TO DO THIS FOR YOU .PLEASE KEEP IT REASONABLY SMALL AND SEND IT TO THE SHOP ADRESS MARKED FOR THE ATTENTION OF GORDON.

This is a celebration and i want as many of you as possible to attend with a smile and hopefully some laughter . Please wear colourful clothes and a sturdy pair of shoes or boots for the burial site if you attend ( welly boots if the weather is really bad )

After the service , which i also promise will be different , Robert will be taken on to Tithe Green Burial ground nearby . Hopefully we will all follow the VW with Robert on to the burial ground to the graveside where anyone will be invited to say something at the graveside in the most beautiful setting . We hope the procession will be led to the burial site by a Scottish piper .

After the burial , you are all invited on to the nearby PATCHINGS FARM ARTS CENTER for tea, coffee and cakes . Patchings was one of our favourite places where we took part in the Arts Festival for many years demonstrating things like Friendly Plastics. Patchings also has art materials for sale and a couple of galeries for you to view , simply a wonderful place to end the day and talk to like minded people.

If anyone attending is thinking of flowers , i would ask that only a single flower should be brought along for the graveside . Robert thought flowers belonged either in the ground or in a pot.

As you can see i am trying to make this a bit of everything , just like Robert was to all of us .

I will also  make a separate post and i would ask you to leave your name or names of those planning to come along on the day . We can make this a perfect tribute to someone who brought a smile to all of our faces whenever we met or spoke to him . Lets give him something back for all he achieved.

Once again thank you for all of your kind comments .

Gordon x

Southwell Minster : www.southwellminster.org

Tithe Green : www.woodlandburialoxton.co.uk

Patchings Art Centre : www.patchingsartcentre.co.uk

13 comments:

  1. Hi Gordon So sorry to hear about Robert , hes always ad a smile whenever i came into the shop and always helpful, and he was so excited in getting married to you, And i hear u got hitched last wed so Congratulations and i no he would have been so proud of you, Dnt no if i can get a lift to come on the 24th but if i can i will, Hope to c you soon Sally n Nicky off pleasley carboot x x x

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    1. Robert always spoke of you . It would be lovely if you could be there .Everyone is welcome.
      Gordon x

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  2. Hi Gordon
    You have planned a wonderful celebration for a wonderful man. I hope the sun shines and the laughter keeps the tears away. Sorry I can't be with you both
    Tracey

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  3. so sorry Gordon that I won't be able to come to Robert's funeral...it's a bit of a trek from Aberdeen but I will there with you in spirit...sending lots of love kath xxx

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  4. It would lovely to come, but Herne Bay is some way away, I felt very welcomed when I called into the shop,when we were up your way on holiday, so I am sending all my love and hope the day goes, it sounds lovely really lovely love Janetxxx

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  5. Please accept my condolences Gordon. I cannot begin to imagine how you feel but the wonderful farewell you have planned for Robert is so deserving of him. Thank you for inviting your and Robert's many fans to join you both on such a precious and memorable day.

    Marion
    North Somerset

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  6. Oh Gordon, I know what you are going through as I had to do the same 21 months ago. We had a celebration" too with no black and it was lovely. And i remember telling Rob about it and how kind he was to me. I am trying my hardest to get there, but if not you will be in my thoughts x Chris (North Wales)

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  7. I remember meeting you both at Ally Pally and other craft shows. My thoughts will be with you and yours on the 24th and yes I will have a smile on my face just as Robert would want.

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  8. Linda & Ian Schoffam18 July 2012 at 08:49

    Ian and myself were so upset to hear of your loss. Robert was such a wonderful person allways happy and full of fun.A very bright and glittering light has gone out in the crtafting world. I am very proud to say that I introduced Robert to beading and will allways thank you both for the opportunity to hold classes at Once upon a Stamp in Plesley. Our love and thoughts are with you Love Linda & Ian

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  9. Gordon please accept my sincere condolences on the very sad loss of Robert. I have had the priviledge of meeting you both over the years and I will always treasure your smiles laughs and the patience and kindnes shown to me on many occasions. What a wondeful celebration of Roberts life and a beautiful place to lay him to rest. Sleep peacefully with the Angels Robert and watch over Gordon.
    Sadly I will be unable to attend but my thoughts and a gentle smile will be with you.
    Love Annxx

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  10. This will be a truly fitting celebration for (y)our lovely Robert. I am hoping to be there and thankyou for the invitation. I promise to smile a lot and not to wear black but can't promise not to shed just a little tear.

    Big Hugs
    Lesley Xx

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  11. Aaaww that is soooo sweet. Wont be able to go but my thoughts are with you.

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  12. I'm so sorry to hear the news of your loss and can only offer you my condolences at this sad time, Robert will be greatly missed. I'm sure your celebration will do Robert justice, I'm sorry i won't be able to attend, but my thoughts will be with you though.
    Love Kathryn x

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