Hello everyone, Wendy here. We've decided to create a blog for you all to keep up with what's happening with Mark and his treatment.
We have had dozens of cards, messages, texts, phone calls and visits over the last few weeks since Mark was diagnosed. It has been overwhelming for both of us...but great to know that so many of you are thinking about him. It is though, exhausting repeating to you all what's happening, and so our very smart son, Matthew, has created this so that we can update you all with Mark's treatment and progress.
Another reason for this blog is that, once Mark starts his chemotherapy, because of his reduced immunity, and the threat of 'swine flu', it wont be practical to have so many visitors to the house.
Tomorrow, Weds 22nd July, Mark has his first visit to Christies to see the consultant and discuss the plan of attack!
If you have any messages for Mark (or tales that might make him smile!), please put them on.
Keep in touch everyone, by for now,
Wendy Mark Matt and Gracie xxx
Hi Mark, Hi Wendy,
ReplyDeleteVinny Gee here. Only heard yesterday and was contacted by Pete Giles today with an update. I find it so very hard to believe.It's all so unfair. Both of you and all your family are in my thoughts and prayers and if there is anything, anything at all I can do, you know where I am.
You've always been one for a laugh Mark and I know you'll find it hard to keep a smile off your face, so just remember Amsterdam and smile pal.
In my prayers.
Vinny.
Hi Mark /Wendy.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear the awfull news. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.Don't really know what to say as there is nothing you can say at times like this.I will pass on the details of this blog site as news is circulating and the many friends you have made over the years are asking about you and asking that you know they are thinking about you. We always joked about the shere volume of people you know through your time at work, if you didn't know them they didn't exist.It is obvious to us all how well thought of you are when everybody is asking how you are.
Thanks to Mathew for creating the blog, i know how mark shyed away from computers.
Thinking of you all..Graham
Hi Beau Garth here just wanted to let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, and as I am sure you will here many many times if there is anything you need or want please please don't hesitate to ask.I'm going to keep in touch via this blog spot its a fantastic idea and will keep you updated with the gossip etc.Me and Rammy passed our taser course today NO DUFF(we were surprised too!).We were like Butch and Sundance when we burst into the first role play room though I think we got a bit to go before we can challenge Paul Newman and Robert Redford in the looks department we are more like Statler and Waldorf from the muppets.Got that dam public order training in a couple of weeks but I will remember the advice you gave me and keep those atheletes ( and i use that term loosley ) at a sensible pace. I hope if at all possible to get up to see you soon but until then take care pal.I know you and your family have difficult times ahead but just remember that you are not and never will be alone .your extended family are always and will always be there for you Take care and keep smiling allways in our thoughts Garth,Becky and family
ReplyDeleteHello Beau
ReplyDeleteThis is a message I never thought I would be writing. So much time has past since we were inseparable "sprogs" Mark. When Allison disapproved cause she thought you were my wayward mate always leading me astray. Little did she know eh!
I've nothing but regrets now for not keeping in touch over the years and am completely at a loss for what to say now.
Those daft times we shared in the early 80s are great memories and always bring a smile to my face when I think of them. Thank you for that.
I know you will receive many offers of support over the coming months but all you need do is ask and anything I can do I will.
I will keep in touch over this blog if you dont mind, its a brilliant idea.
I will sign off for now but remember, neither you nor your family will ever be alone the joy and positivity you brought to those you touched will ensure that never happens.
Thinking of you and your family
Gaz(1818)Allison, Laura and Sam
Hi Beau, Pebs here.
ReplyDeleteThis is the third day running I've logged on here to write a message, and I've now been sat staring at my computer for an hour trying to think of something to write, I just don't know what to say, but here goes. I was absolutely gutted when I found out the result of your visit to Christies on Wednesday, especially after speaking to you the Monday before. I saw Chunk on over the weekend and he told me. I know it's been said before, but everybody is here to support you and anything you need, you only have to ask.
Now enough with the sad stuff. I look back with fond memories of our time on 3a. I regularly regale whoever is willing to listen (and some, and by some I mean most, who aren't so willing!) with tales of daring do, and unimaginable bravery. None of which is exaggerated as you can imagine!
Every time I have to get a map out to find a street, I tell of the bloke on our van who knew every street in Manchester off by heart, Tom Tom Beau we used to call him! It's regularly pointed out to me that all these tales I come out with seem to involve a lot of messing about and very little work, if only they knew the half of it eh Beau ;-)
Anyway, I'm sure I've bored you enough for one day, hopefully you'll feel up to the visit we discussed in no time and I can bore you in person. What do you know, it took me three days to start writing, but now there's no shutting me up!!
Bye for now and I hope to see you soon,
All our love,
Pebs, Cheryl & Jenna. oh, and Charlie. (we now have a Cavalier King Charles spaniel puppy. Not my idea, not happy, it's a long story.)
XXX
P.S. I spoke to Frank Cannon on facebook today and I let him know. As expected he's really upset also. He's asked that I send on his best wishes and to let you know he's thinking about you and your family.
Hi Mark, Hi Wendy,
ReplyDeleteWas thinking about the trips to Amsterdam we had all those years ago ( seems like yesterday ) and a couple of 'mad moments' that always make me chuckle came to mind.
We were in the Bulldog Bar and just finished cheating Gary Glynn out of a round of drinks playing Spoof. For some unknown reason Halesy started an argument with you, can't remember why, but you know what he's like when he's been drinking. Anyway, you just stood there and didn't say a word and let him rant and rave for a few minutes, and the lack of response really started to wind him up. After a while he said " Are you just going to stand there or what?" You then broke your silence by blowing the largest raspberry known to man, we all cracked up and Halesy really showed his arse, hilarious ( but you had to be there)!
The other one was possibly the same trip, the one when Alan May and Nick Young turned up. We'd all been out on the pop and as we were leaving the bar, you and either Gary Glynn or Paul Birch decided to get some chips, and, being in Amsterdam they came with the compulsory lashings of mayonaisse.
What you didn't know, as you were climbing into your taxi, was that you were both dripping mayo all over this massive Dutch taxi drivers gleaming upholstery in his brand new Mercedes.
The rest of us walked round the corner into Dam Square just in time to see you both being chased across the square, whislt still eating your chips. Couldn't breathe for laughing!
Don't think I've ever had another week end like those two we spent in Amsterdam!
Take care, I'll be back!
How are you doing Buddy. It is nice to read of your expert knowledge of the street of the city, but your knowledge of the rest of the force had to be learnt the hard way. I've known you long enough to remember your learning days as well as you mine. A couple of occasions spring to mind, On one we had to return a young tea leaf to the security of foster careers in Horwich at about 3am back in the days when the city went to sleep in the small hours. You knew where it was no problem but we decided the take the scenic route back to the 'A' It was a lovely mystery tour over the back raods of Winter Hill and we both realised they do look very different on the dark winter night, we would come across a patch of high ground with a view and would work out if Bolton is over there, Wigan must be there so we need to be going that way, all well and good to the next bend on the country road. We got back eventually and I cann't remember if it was Di Bamber or Mick Edge in the custody office who said they would not let us off the division again without adult supervision. Well the custody Sgt changed and we were unleashed again the next time to Sale and Altrincham we took a sight seing tour of The Avenue trying to find out which was the ex chiefs house the turned left or right at the end and drove on for a while, agian country roads on dark nights we got hopelessly lost and emerged in the middle of Cheshire on the wrong side of the M6 heading toward Northwich before we admitted defeat and began to retrace. I still enjoy travelling up to Winter Hill to admire the view on a clear day and think of the good laughs we had on and off the division in various guises. Love to you all and stay strong, everyone is here to help. Speak soon Jon and Gail
ReplyDeleteBeau,
ReplyDeleteI was just reading Pebs message and there are a couple of things I have to say. Firstly, having spent 2 weeks in Thailand with Pebs post Tsunami, I didn't realise how sensible and articulate he could sound sober. I should also say I've never seen any man so strangely comfortable in a bar full of oriental transvestites! On s serious note though, I've also put this page up on a number of occasions and wondered just what to say. Having read all of the messages now I think I've realised that it doesn't really matter as long as it is something that means you know that we're all thinking about you. Earlier in the golf season I recall us wandering along a fairway discussing our respective wives and children and how lucky we were to be blessed with such fantastic people in our lives. We also talked about how they were the number one priority in our lives, also golf did run them a pretty close second, I do have to say! The news you've had since then makes all of us focus on how important it it to treasure even the simplest of things we do on a daily basis and all the memories those things bring. Talking of memories, I can't believe how long ago it was when I watched from the CIS building in horror, thro' a pair of bino's, as that scrote dorve at you and sqaushed your leg between the bumper and that signpost. I'll bet you never thought that your years of Northern Soul dancing would give you such chunky, solid calves that would one day save your leg from being broken! That was a seriously long time ago pal???? There's some serious history you have with lots of people that I know and a lots of lives that are richer for having shared parts of them with you. All the golfing boys send their love and best to you and yours and we all hope to see you sometime soon.
Love and best to all
Ellers
Beau Diddly,
ReplyDeletewe only got your web address from Sweens yesterday and have logged on to say hello to you, Wendy and the kids. We've read through your logs and all the previous comments, loads of stuff to make us laugh and remind us of our time on the Premier TAU team (3A) at Tyldesley Towers....
I spoke to Pebs last night and were gonna fix up seeing you in the next day or two if thats okay....
I was only saying to Pebs last night how many stories we have between us that we need to add to your blog, mostly embarassing (of course) I'll not go into detail now but do you remember your time as exhibits officer on Operation Jellybean ??? Proper job.....
No wonder we were the premier team with our very own cordon bleu, four star michelin, large mixed kebab specialist chef...!
love you loads pal (not in that way, you know what I mean)
Mr and Mrs Doobs XXXX
Beau; What can i say you never did anything by halves did you!! Those days at Bootle Street during the 80's and early 90's were by far the best times in my career. Those memories will stay with me and I know many more people, for many many years. They were made that much richer for working with nut cases like you. Great times, but made that much more frightening because of your involvement. Remember when me and the went for the technical officers job at Bootle St. We both failed miserably and was pipped at the post by a reparabate by the name of Pete Butterworth. I'm sure that he had the job sewn up before the interview. I know I would have been crap at the job anyway. You enriched everyone's lives. I know one thing for sure you wouldn't have gone down well under the present regime at Bootle Street, but you would have had great fun in the process. One thing lacking at what was once the best kept secret in the force, is humour. You have bundles of that in fact you have all the bosses share.
ReplyDeletePS thanks for reducing me to tears when I read your blog, I struggled reading it out to Denise the other day.
Love and prayers from all the Heil's
Colin(5655) Denise Stuart and Matthew
Hi Beau,
ReplyDeleteMike Schofield here apologies for not logging in sooner technology was never my strong point. I have long and fond memories of our time at BSPS and then imagine my surpirse when I turned up on the 5th floor at chester house to find you already firmly in place. I always remember that between you and Pete Butterworth we would get at least one good joke a day you made a good morecombe and wise team well may be to ronnies either way you make up a large proportion of the great times and laughs I had while at Bootle Street around 19 years on and off. Memories that will be with me as long as I'm around which I think is testiment to your life and impression you have left on all of us.
I may not be able to make the 27th as it is my Daughters 21st and a family meal and Do is arranged for the same time. believe me when I say I was torn when I found out that your gathering was on the same evening. Please let me know if there will be any other time(s) I can get to meet up and I will be there.
keep smiling all our love Mike & Chris Schofield