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The ICCM Journal | Winter 2021 | V89 No. 4
president's page Hello everyone As we head towards the winter, I hope you are all managing to stay well and if you have been lucky enough to get away that you have enjoyed your holidays. I made it to my first event on the 29th July. Julie and I finally attended the re-opening of Greenacres Heatherley Wood. It was a lovely warm and dry afternoon, which meant we were able to wander around the beautiful grounds. They are so well managed and peaceful, it was easy to see why families have chosen this as the final resting place for their loved ones. Everything is so natural, including the carved wooden benches and little gates. I had to admire the grasses that grew around the meandering paths and the gorgeous flowers in the more manicured areas. It was lovely to meet up with colleagues and enjoy the delicious canapés and drink always a bonus at any event.
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So, let’s move on to my second event. I joined Julie and Martin to attend the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Funerals and Bereavement’s Annual Report Launch in the House of Commons on Monday 6 September. Admittance was by invitation only and we had to go through “security” removing all jewellery, belts etc etc – it was like a visit to the airport, when you get that guilty “what have I got in my bag” feeling as it travels through the tunnel to be scanned. It was a really hot day, and as we entered the wonderful Westminster Hall with its impressive high ceilings, we were glad that it felt cool and we sat on one of the benches to admire the hammer-beam roof which was commissioned by Richard II in 1393 and incidentally is the largest medieval timber roof in Northern Europe. The hall was built in 1097 under William II (Rufus), the son of William the Conqueror and was completed two years later. He had conceived the project to impress his new subjects with his power and the majesty of his authority. (Amazing what you can discover on “google”). Sir John Hayes MP CBE gave a speech to officially launch the annual report and then introduced Simon Helliar-Moore and James Chorley. Simon told us how he almost become a Redcoat at Butlins at 15 when he went wanted to do his work experience with them after his GCSEs, but he found out he was too young, so he approached a local funeral directors instead and from then on he found his true vocation and finally opened his own premises, Crescent Funeral Services in Taunton, Somerset. He introduced James who had become the UK’s youngest qualified funeral director after leaving Heathfield School at the age of 16 when he joined Simon at Crescent Funeral Services. It was lovely to meet up with new and old colleagues and who can resist a “cream tea” (more food!!)
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As I write this it will be Grandparents Day on Sunday 3rd October, so I thought I would share this poem with you, whether you are a grandparent yourself as I am, or for your own grandparents.
