Funeral arrangements.

Dear all,
It's been a difficult couple of days since Mark died, but on the whole, we feel a sense of relief for him. And we're finding, remarkably, that life must go on. All the plans for Mark's funeral have fallen quickly into place, so here goes...

A memorial service will be held at St Bartholomews Parish Church at Westhoughton at 1100 am on Tuesday 6th October, which is on School St, at the end of Market Street/Church St. Parking is very limited around the church, and I would suggest parking on either Pavilion Sqr (off Cricketers Way), or the council car park which is accessed by driving past the entrance to Pavilion Sqr and onto the car park. There is a footpath leading from the car park and onto Market St, turn left and the church is straight ahead of you.

The service will last for about one hour, then we will head for Howe Bridge Crematorium on Lovers Lane, Howe Bridge (aprox 2.5 miles) for 12.30pm. Do not feel that you all have to come to the crematorium, however you are very welcome if you wish to do so.

Following the services, there will be a wake/reception at The Brookfield Suite, Westhoughton Masonic Hall, Peel St, Westhoughton (its off Church St going back towards the A6). If you do not intend to come to the crematorium, then please just make your way to the Masonic Hall, and we will attend there following the cremation. You are all very welcome.

We have requested family flowers only, however, if you wish to make a donation to Bolton Hospice via the undertakers, Liveseys of Horwich, then that would be most welcome.

Finally, thank you for all your messages of support over the last few months, weeks and days, you've all been wonderful. Please feel free to continue to post your comments on the previous page.

Bye for now,

Wendy, Matt and Grace xxx

11.45hrs Monday 28th September 2009

Hello everybody,

this has to be truly the saddest day of our lives. Our lovely Mark left us today at 11.45 am. The people who meant most to Mark were all present. The only comfort that we can take, is that he is free from pain, and in a more beautiful place now.

Matthew and Gracie, as always, were a tower of strength, and their maturity and 'fantasticness' astound me.

Finally for now, a big thank you, and 'I love you' to Mark's family, my Dad and Anne, and to Andy and Vanessa for getting us through this awful day.

Mark 'Beau' Bridges, we loved you with all our hearts, and always will.

Wendy, Matthew and Grace xxxx

Where to start...?

Hello everyone, as I say, where to begin?

Firstly, well done again to Natalie, and the rest of you who have put a smile on mine and everyone else's faces this week no doubt, 'Butlins meets Colditz', a perfect analogy. I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking this, but I reckon that some of these stories and anecdotes would make a great little book about our 'Lives on Mars'. And Natalie seems to be the one who's handiest with the pen.....it's just a thought.

Now the difficult bit, Mark has grown steadily weaker and weaker as this last week has passed. He is pretty much sleeping most of the time and communicating very little now. It is the intention to increase his medication in order to keep him sedated so that he is not in any more pain. Although the staff at the Hospice dont say, I think it's very difficult to judge, but I sense that Mark is coming to the end of this awful journey. I already feel a massive sense of loss, as Mark has'nt been at home for over two weeks now, and our world at home is empty without him.

It's true what they say, you dont know just what you have until it is gone, and I certainly did'nt. There's a song that always did make me cry a little bit -Cherish- by Kool and the Gang. Listen to the words, and do what it says, 'Cherish the love we have, cherish the life we live'. Do these things, because you never know when fate will snatch it away from you, take nothing for granted.

I'm sorry this is so sad, but it just how I feel right now.

For now, love to you all

Wendy xxx

Tuesday 8th...

Hello everyone,

Sorry it's been a few days since I have updated you all, but it's difficult to know what to say sometimes, especially when your brains' gone 'haddled'!

Just thought I would add one of Grace and Matts 'un-official' photos from the Howfener-you 'Wigan lot' seem to have missed the official ones, and we can't have you feeling left out.

Mark is a little more lucid than he was a few days ago, and isn't ready to shuffle off this mortal coil just yet! He is still very weak, and very tired. Just occasionally I get a glimpse of the Mark I know and love, but the drugs cloud his usual jolly self.

Mark reminded me to say 'well done' to the outgoing A Div Golf Society Captain-Stuart I believe, and 'good luck' to Andy Marron the incoming captain. Mark would have loved nothing better than to be there with you all on Weds, getting very wet no doubt, but unfortunately a higher being had other ideas...

This is a very tiring and strange time for us at the moment, so please forgive me if I don't update this as often, but rest assured, if there is any news to share, then I will. In the meantime, this has all gone a bit serious....if there are any untold stories of myth or mirth that haven't already been told of days on the 'A', or holidays in Ibiza (you know who you are), then continue to write and raise a smile.

Love to you all

Wendy, Mark, Matt and Gracie xxxx

Just a quickie...

Just a quick update for you all, Mark has had a torrid time of it over the last few days, but appears to be a little better. The sickness seems to be under control, as does the pain. He is quite demoralised, and still weak, but we're doing our best to keep his spirits up.
I'll keep you all updated again soon,
Wendy, Matt and Gracie xxx

Photos from the howfener..

Hey this is a message from Matt, so apologies for the lack of other content.. im not sure if this link will work for you, so please write a reply as to whether or not you can view them asap.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42134162@N08/show/with/3878661630/