Uncle George's Remembrance Service - 10/12/09

The service was well attended, with about 30 people there. Most of them went on to the cremation ceremony at the Seafield Crematorium in Edinburgh. Afterwards Margaret was holding a gathering at the Royal British Legion in Dunbar, which I didn't go to given the cooped up dogs and the long journey home ahead of me.

I kept my camera recording during the service in Cockburnspath and will put the recording up on my youtube account once it has uploaded (Edit - here it is). In the meantime, here is a transcript of what the Vicar said:-

George Taylor was born in Chapel Hill on 1st May 1913. He attended Primary School here in Cockburnspath and completed his education in Dunbar.

George left school, like many others, when he was 14 and went to work on the land until he was more than 40. He met his future wife, Dot at the local dance and they were, shortly after that, duly married. Dot died some 14 years ago, so I am told.

George then became a gardener and was regarded as a very hard worker. He then moved to a different job at what was then the Portland quarry, now part of Blue Circle cement. Eventually, he retired from there and began working for Berwickshire Council, looking after gardens around the village, here in Cocksburnpath.

In time , sadly, he was made redundant. However, he continued to employ his skills and enthusiasm in the world of gardening and related activities. Not only his own garden, which indeed he loved, but other people's. Here he endeared himself further in the public view and won much affection and appreciation.

Age didn't seem to matter to George, he just went on. He was a great gardener and didn't flinch at doing so many other kinds of jobs, even when he reached his 90's.

Within the wider community he developed a strong affection for the Royal British Legion in Dunbar. There he enjoyed the fellowship of like minded folk and he could reflect on a different era perhaps, and of times gone by and experiences shared.

George kept himself very fit, not only through sheer hard work on the land, and of course with all his gardening interests. He also loved to cycle and was to be seen regularly pedalling around the country roads.

In his earlier days he went on camping holidays up North and had a great love for Scottish dance music and song, in which he indulged. He was, I am told, a very accomplished singer and made his own renditions of many a well known ballad. He also enjoyed watching snooker.

But, perhaps most of all, he loved the companionship of other people. Not least his wife and those relatives that surrounded him.

Latterly, through declining health, he was placed into care at Fidra Care Home in North Berwick, where he received every attention and affection.

Margaret and Veronica were regular visitors and saw to as many of his needs as possible.

The wonderful picture on the front of the Order of Service shows a man hard at work. It also looks a bit threatening to me, with a big saw in his hand.

He had a strong personality, a very determined character and he didn't suffer fools gladly. I knew this when I went to visit him at Fidra once or twice. I summed him up in a second. He knew his place in life, and he sought to live life as fully as he could.

So this really brings, as it were, all our individual memories together to give thanks for the life and friendship of George Taylor and we commend him to God's grace and mercy. We also give thanks for the medical care and attention which he received from the staff at Fidra and we remember George's sister Alice, Margaret, Veronica and all the other members of his gathered family. We extend to them all our support and our sympathies.