Ladies and gents, what can I say? Last night was unbelievable. It was wonderful to see you all, faces from the past and the present, it was a magnificent effort by you all.
It took a supreme effort on Mark's part to be there last night, I know he wouldn't have missed it for the world. As I said last night, Matthew hadn't really wanted to come, as he thought it would be too emotional-and it was-however, he got the message that I wanted him to, that his dad has made an impression on the world, that won't be forgotten for a very long time.
I know that many of you travelled a considerable distance to be there, thankyou so much for your effort.
I am so sorry that Mark didn't get to speak to everyone, but it was just too much for him...but I hope you all enjoyed the opportunity to meet up and reminisce about old times.
Also, a big thankyou for your generosity. Matt told me when he got home that over £760 was raised from the collection for Bolton Hospice...well done everyone!
Thankyou also for taking the time to talk to Matt and Grace, and make them welcome. Everyone thinks their own children are special, but these two are exceptional young people if I say so myself. I think it's plain for all to see what an impact Mark's personality has had on their characters, and what smashing kids they are. We love you both enormously.
Thankyou also to our wonderful friends, who helped to make last night possible, Peter Giles, Stuart Pizey, Graham Nield, The Police Federation, Peter and Sue 'RF'. I am sure I have missed people off, if I have, I am sorry, but a big thankyou for everything guys.
As Mark said to me last night, it was truly humbling to see you all, and the esteem in which Mark is held, and that is comforting to us all as a family.
On a sad note, Mark has had a bad night, and I am waiting to hear from his doctor at the hospice to see if he can be admitted today, as he is quite poorly. He spent the last three days in bed, and just wants to sleep now. Whilst I know some of you still want to visit Mark, I am afraid it is just not possible right now, he isn't well enough.
I lay awake all night going over in my head what I wanted to say to you all this morning, and I am sure stuff will come back to me that I have forgotten. But for now, I'll close. Keep Mark in your prayers, and as all good Northern Soul boys say, 'Keep the faith'.
Love to you all
Wendy,Mark, Matt and Gracie xxx
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi Wendy
ReplyDeleteYou have taken the words out of my mouth about Matthew and Gracie
You should extremely proud of both Matthew and Gracie they are a credit to you. Also you should be very proud of yourself.
I am writing this broken hearted, we both are but we would not have missed last night for anything. If you need any thing whatever time of day just give us a ring.
Love to you all Bernie Tim and Edward.
Mark
ReplyDeleteAllison and I are so saddened that you are so weak at the moment. Last night it was plain for all to see that your presence at the pub was only possible because of your strength of character and courage.
Speaking as a couple who were close to you once, we would just like to say that your effort to be there meant more to us than we can express here.
And, it would appear that courage has been inherited by Matt and Gracie, you and Wendy have every justification to be very proud of them both.
I rather selfishly wanted to spend more time with you, but I do understand that wasn’t and isn’t possible at the moment.
You should not be surprised by the number of people who attended last night to show support and respect for a guy who has made friends and had a positive impact where ever you have worked. It was a natural response that reflects the love we all feel.
However, we would like to express our gratitude to those who made it possible, Gilesy , Stuart Pizey, Graham Nield and our hosts Peter and Sue. I didn’t meet Peter but Sue is a delightful lady and obviously a good friend who cares a great deal. Thanks guys!
Well Soul man, we’ve got to go for now (got to find a Kleenex or two) Keeping the faith!
Back soon.
Gaz/Allison
Morning Familia Bridges,
ReplyDeletejust a few lines to acknowledge your strength and resolve not only in organising last nights shindig but in being able to be there yourselves and conduct yourselves with such dignity in what must have been a difficult night for you all. Respect!
Matty and Gracie are a credit to your family.
It was a thought provoking evening and prompted me to spend an hour sat at the foot of the bed of my own child when I got home.
Im so so sorry to hear Mark is so physically weak at the mo and I pray he,you,can all have some respite. My thoughts are with you all.
On a lighter note...
Cracking night..some real blasts from the past...I felt a bit like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz..set off from Glossop in the car..but somewhere en route we got sucked into a vortex..banged my head...and woke up in a time warp circa late 80s!!..good to chat to so many old/ageing faces..when I got the chance that was..spent most of night giving Alan Robertson a running commentary on who was who..! (suppose on Wizard of Oz theme he was last nights scarecrow!)
I have waited nearly 20 years for John Ennis to say something remotely funny..and he has actually come quite close to doing so in his post on one of the other threads!!
Some BSPS isms:
Newly recruited C relief member (now DCI...jesus)who even back then was not short of self importance..Got a Terry Harrop bollockin in the charge office..the officer retorted with an extremely ill advised response that started with the words " you cant speak to me like that...."
oh dear...how we dived for cover!!!
Same officer (remember the now rank) sent to a spoof job with a PW (who was in on it as were the reast of the relief)of a body found in bushes on Rachel Street. He turns up unaware a large % of the relief are observing from a nearby building.He is despatched to the end of the pitch black street where the PW knows the offending item has been strategically placed whilst the PW makes for the opposite end of the street.T o give him an ounce of credit..the officer locates the body in bushes..by coincidence about the same moment he soils his trousers. However..instead of raising the alarm and turning out the cavalry..he kicks the manikin further into the bushes and runs off sweating and panicking to join the PW at the furtherst point away from his find before shouting up NO TRACE!!!!!
Even in the face of the overwhelming evidence to the contrary he maintained he had not been frightened by the experience and that he had not even seen the manikin which he had kicked into the bushes! WHATEVER!
The late Dave Mansell asking a female shoplifting suspect "whats all that on your neck"...in finest Gortonese the response came "Luv bites..and youre only jealous"...
"jealous?..jealous?" said Dave..." I ve got them all over my ...." (the dots might represent the number of letters in the missing word!)
Paul Hardiman shaving Phil Seeleys head in the same style as his own on an E releif Edinburgh trip. Then leaving Seeley worst for wear in a fast food joint doorway who later awoke in said doorway surrounded by loose change kindly donated by the citizens of the city..who assumed he was hungry and homeless!!
Seeley again..just passed his adv driving..takes out a traffic car..buzzes a Dutch HGV at high speed on the Mancy Way leaving the Dutch driver unamused. Seeley subsequently overturns the car a few hundred later on the old Mancy Way roundabout at Ardwick...Dutch HGV trundles up seconds later and salutes Seeleys driving with several blasts onhis airhorn as he passes on by!!
Priceless!!
Hi Mark Wendy Mathew and Gracie
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for last night, although I didn't get chance to speak to you Mark & Wendy, I did manage to speak to Gracie and Matthew, and have a photo with the old gang from Wigan. What a credit to you two to have such lovely children.
You are in my thoughts and prayers today.
Mike Richie
On a lighter note - I was with Nev Glaister behind the 18th at the Belfry a little intoxicated as we hadn't played and spent the 4hrs in the bar(what else was there to do), Nev was giving you Sean Lagan, and two others a right load of grief, you actually over shot the green and landed behind us in the car park. Where you really aiming for the Green or Nev's top set!!! Great weekend that was.
Hi Mark, Hi Wendy,
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say about last night, it was just a roller coaster of emotions, laughter, sadness, pride. It was great to see you Mark and I hope you're feeling a bit more comfortable today. Some people were surprised at how many people attended, I was surprised there wasn't a few more, that's if we could've got any more in! I didn't get chance to speak to Matthew and Gracie, but I'm sure that by now they are well aware of how much your friendship and comradeship means to people. I'm glad I managed to get to speak to you and I managed to get a few words with Wendy. Hope to hear from you both when you are up to it.
Love to all of you.
Vinny.
Mark, Wendy, Matt and Gracie,
ReplyDeleteNot much I can add the very apt comments already posted.
The event was a fantastic show of love and respect to Beau and you all.
Quite how you pulled it off has left me stunned. You are right to be proud of your Matt and Gracie, they are a credit to you both and clearly bring you so much joy.
I have emailed the photos taken on the night to Pete Giles and Graham Neild, I have also tried to email them to you but unsure if the size of email will get to you.
The Pub was creaking such were the numbers and it was put under greater stress owing to increasing waistlines of some present,me included!
It was a remarable evening and great gathering of so many all united in repect of Mark and you all.
To be honest I have been in a daze all day and the phone hasn't stop ringing with the same tone from the callers.
Mark your courage was typical of what I have seen and known for years. Wendy, Matt and Gracie your dignity and family bond was wonderful to see.
Beau rest up pal and I am sure we all look forward to hearing from you soon on the blog.
Stu P.
Beau Wendy and family
ReplyDeleteThanks for a wonderful evening on Thursday.
I have no idea how you all coped but you were tremendous.
Sorry to hear Mark not too well we pray and hope he is better soon to enjoy all our yesterdays on this blog.
I had the honour of taking Pete Butterworth to the do and I know he was deeply moved like myself at the strenghth you have as a family.
Life on Mars had nothing on the faces and stories I heard on Thursday.
Keep up the fight Beau
Hi Mark,
ReplyDeleteReally pleased the 'do' was such a success. I hope the comments on the Blog have brought smiles and memories, they certainly have for me... I thought Jones's comments (re Terry Harrop) were about me until I read about the Rachel Street 'incident'. That said, I had a bit more sense where Terry was concerned.
Another BSPS'ism for me was believing what Maher told us in street thefts that a lad had broke into a car, off Portland Street, the lad got lifted through the car's smashed window (having locked himself in) and was locked up for driving his own car; his mate ran off and we later found out why... He'd previously met a certain PC Sutcliffe in a smilar incident. Thank God Speaky wasn't with us at the time!
Think on, you've got a lot of friends past and present, thinking and caring about you and your dear family. Stay strong pal and all the best; God Bless.
Simon Retford
Hi Wendy - Hope Mark has had a better night and that he is more comfortable. Heard about your trip to the lakes and although exhausting for you both I hope you achieved whatever you wanted from those few days. It goes without saying that we send you all our love and prayers.
ReplyDeleteUnderstand absolutely about visitors - I will phone your Dad later.
Stay strong.
Gail and Glyn