I have so many wonderful memories with Grandad that I’ll always treasure and I feel grateful for every second we spent together. I am so lucky, proud, and privileged to be able to call this very special man my Grandad.

From a young age I adored hearing stories of his childhood. My favourites include when he gave his Dads best clothes to the Rag n’ Bone man and the time he set off the fire alarm!

I remember Christmas’ filled with joy at Granny and Grandad’s house. As the first grandchild I claimed the “head” of the table while Grandad sat at the “bottom” but it’s now that I realise that this was probably to allow Grandad to have an optimal view of the TV for the Queens Speech.

We loved to go for beautiful drives together, sing to the radio, and visit pretty places, including Wells which is a city that he loved dearly.

He loved sports, most notably the football. He’d never miss a Villa game. I have fond memories of him cheering them on from the living room, “C’mon the Villa”. As I grew up he took great interest in my love for sport and became my number one fan on the volleyball court. He often trekked all over the UK to watch me play, from Aberdeen to Cardiff to Bristol. I loved to make him proud and it filled me with great joy to be able to introduce him to my friends, many of whom also called him “Grandad”. He really could talk to anyone about anything at all and lit up every room.

He took great interest in my school and University work too and often told me how proud he was to have started a dynasty of doctors. We share a love for Geography, although he was far more knowledgeable than I’ll ever be, but I loved to listen to his facts and stories.

In more recent years we mastered the act of sneaking away from a busy house filled with my younger cousins to end up in the pub for a pint (normally a few pints if I’m being honest). I’m convinced this is where my love for beer stemmed from and I will definitely raise a pint to him the next time I’m in a pub.

To a very special friend and Grandad all piled into one, I love and miss you very much. Thank you for always being the best.

Cheers Grandad,

Heather the Bear