Dad drew on his own passions to introduce his family to the good things in life: 
 
Dad would regularly take us on trips to explore the countryside where he shared with us his knowledge of nature and love of the outdoors. 
 
His love of animals he shared by bringing home all sorts of pets including the usual rabbits, guinea pigs, and cats as well as ducks, chickens and even our pet lamb: “Lambsy”.  
 
Dad shared his love of gardening by giving us each our own plot in which to grow flowers or vegetables or simply make mud pies.  He kept us well provided for with produce from his own garden or that which he had gathered wild including nuts, berries, mushrooms and occasionally puffballs which were truly delicious.   
 
Dad loved making his own wine, beer and cider.  Some of this was drinkable while some was condemned, like the cider which ate a hole in the kitchen quarry tiles as it dripped from the barrel!  Dad’s greatest homebrew success was his Elderberry wine which, having been kept for ten years, had developed the quality of a tawny port.  Sadly when he came to enjoy his last bottle he discovered that Debbie and her best friend had already drunk it but were at least able to confirm that it was indeed delicious!          
 
Dad’s love of food meant that we often had goodies brought home such as chocolate from the Cadburys Staff shop and were sometimes treated to meals out using his luncheon vouchers.   
 
There were some things that we were less enamoured by as children:  
Choir practice for example as this was on a Thursday night and meant we never got to see “Top of The Tops”, and
the embarassment of having organ music bellowing out of the car when being dropped at school. 
What we didn’t realise then of course was how talented Dad was as both an organist and choir master.  Though secretly I did enjoy trying to chase the blasts of air from the organ pipes as he practised.  And he was quite useful when we needed to practice our own instruments with a piano accompaniment. 
 
As well as playing music Dad also taught us many other practical skills such as DIY, driving and even sailing, though we have mixed feelings on this last one after nearly running aground several times.   
 
And of course Dad instilled in us many of his own strong principles: such as the importance of honesty, integrity and diligence. 
 
But perhaps most memorable were the lessons in:
 - never touching a light socket with wet hands, 
 - never leaving the front door unlocked and 
 - never standing too close to the edge!
 
All of these things have helped to shape us and will stay with us as your legacy,
 
Thank you Dad.
xxxxx