My Story

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Ted was born in Lincolnshire but spent all his life in Harrogate and regarded himself
as aYorkshire man through and through.He met his wife Alma when they were both in the Army stationed in southend and they established their home in Harrogate were
their three children were born.The marriage ended many years ago and for the last 34 years he had been with Rose in a partnership that gave him everything he needed.
Rose became his rock and companion and and he said on many occasions,especially over his last year "I don't know what I would have done without her." They bought Crimple Stables when it was just a shell and Ted made sure it was converted into a lovely home,he was very resouceful and a great planner and organiser and had a string of contacts and many friends so getting work done was never a problem.

Our dad was a colourful character and had led colourful life.He went to London earn his fortune when he was only 15. He subsequenty joined the Merchant Navy but jumped ship in australia. He worked in a gold mine in that country.He went hitch hicking in Spain,he went walking in morocco and he camped in Jersey.He worked on fishing trawlers,he was a barber for many years ,he bought and sold houses at a
profit.He had only a very basic education but he was street wise,independant,
resourceful and shrewd.

One of Dad's finer qualities was his acceptance of cicumstances that befell him and throughout his illness he was able to dismiss his health problems with a smile and a joke.Dad had a good life, a life that he had lived entirely in accordance with his own wishes, a life he had greatly enjoyed.He was very proud of his children,his grandchildren, his great granchildren,and was pleased as punch when his great granson was named after him.


Here is poem Dad would of appreciated.

Compost
Once I've bade my last goodbye,cut the cord to take my leave
don't be sorrowful and cry or sit in solitude and grieve.
shout to me you'r last farewell, making sure I'm dead asleep,
then without prayers or tolling bell,just dump me on the compost heap.

Play for me some red- hot jazz,then some Benny Goodman swing,
Jive and twist and razzmatazz, joke and laugh and dance and sing.
Be happy through the night long wake,don't think about me being missed
just carry on for old time's sake till everyone's completely pissed.

Then go your ways and be not sad,and think about me not at all
Except if things go really bad,when all you have to do is call .
Go to were the compost spread,shout my name upto the sky,
And if you wake me from the dead, you'll not be more surprised than I.

R.I.P Dad





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