WC JUNE 12.
On Wednesday I went to Bath to interview fast-rising star CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER. Currently she’s touring Britain in The Adams Family, a brilliant musical comedy, alongside Les Dennis and Samantha Womack. Carrie has appeared in huge West End Musicals, has her own YouTube TV station with over 600,000 subscribers and has had two top-selling books, including a number one best seller.
Friday was not a day I was looking forward to. It was my second funeral of the week. I had been to the Crematorium on Tuesday to attend the funeral of an old family friend, Shirley Creighton. On Thursday, Bertie and I went into The Thatched Church, in Freshwater Bay, to remember a lovely Islander, Ben Bishop, at the same time his funeral was taking place at the Crematorium. Ben was an insurance broker and life-long Saints supporter. On Friday it was the funeral of a lovely man and good friend for over 50 years, Dave Egerton. Our families have kept in touch since the ’60s. Dave’s widow Eileen worked with my late wife, Heather. There were originally a group of eight of us who were very friendly. Everyone had families and so our numbers grew. So many happy memories. Eileen and her family asked me to take the non-religious funeral service, as a celebration of Dave’s life. It was a daunting prospect but I was honoured and privileged to be asked. Thankfully, it all went to plan. It was a different kind of funeral service. My condolences go to all of Dave’s family and friends.
It was a sad week all round. The London fire had hit me really hard – as it had millions of other people. I could not get it out of my mind for some considerable time. We first heard about it at lunchtime on Tuesday, during our visit to Bath.
On Saturday lunchtime it was time to say goodbye to Simon Clark, who has worked at IW Radio for nine years. He has now left the company and there was a farewell party at the Cowes Conservative Club. I had worked with Simon at Solent TV and then again during his nine years at the radio station. In the last couple couple of years he has produced my radio show podcasts – and made such a great job of them. Simon, thanks for your considerable help.