Tag: Neil Edwards

Visiting Dad’s Woodland Grave: A Quiet Day of Love and Memory

On Saturday 19th September me and mum bought some flowers and set off to drive to the woodland/moorland burial site in which we lay my Dad to rest in last year.

Mum had not been to the site before and the only time I had been there was on the day of his funeral. I was struggling to remember where he was! It’s a relatively small beautiful site and we needed the help of Dad’s partner, Shamen who was able to send a photo of where the plot was in relation to some trees and hedges. I had a good feeling and was grateful that we visited Dad’s site. The weather was a little misty and grey which kind of added to the mysticality of the site. I know dad would have found it amusing with me stumbling around the site trying to work out where he was.

When we laid him to rest we organised a pipe tobacco and matches with him in his coffin. (These were items that he had carried around with him for most of his adult life and it only seemed fitting to let him have them on the other side of life too.

We have also designed a slate to go on his grave which will be ready in a few weeks which I think is very fitting for him (having a pipe on the image too).

As much as I think about him and my brother almost every other day I feel Dad would have appreciated the visit to where he now rests that we did today and I am pleased he has a sight for us to visit. My brother Andy’s ashes were scattered to sea from one of his favourite beaches in Cornwall which now seems quite far away to me so please Dad is nearer by still.

Fruit Tree – Nick Drake

Dear friends and family of Neil Edwards

So we said fairwell to Dad on Friday 7th March, his family would just like to say a huge thank you to all of you that have shown how much you care for him and us. Me, Shamen and mum have been so grateful for the love and support offered to us at this difficult time. It’s sometimes hard to make a call or show people, if you care due to already full up and busy lives, there is always something else in life to distract you that steels your time away. With that said it has been so very heart-warming and reassuring to know that in our time of need you were able to offer us your love and support.

Whether that was in the way of a kind word or thought, or a call or text to see how we are or for those that made time for us and also for those that were able to see us and Dad in Spreyton on the day we just can’t thank you all enough.  

With the decisions to hold the ceremony in Spreyton Village Hall and have the burial at crossways site in Cheriton Bishop, I was a little nervous prior to the day, as to whether we had chosen the right words, locations, hymn and ideas for the day. But with all of those that attended and helped us I do believe we did dad proud and showed him how much he was loved. The whole day and event was a wonderful celebration of Dads life and thank all so much for the time you spared for us prior to the service and also on the day and evening too.

I also want to share Dads poem for those that might want to see it again and also for those that could not make it on the day.

Love the ones you Love by Neil Edwards

Love the ones you love. Don't assume they're fine,
because you haven't heard from them in a while.
Assume they're not - and call them.

Make sure they know you love them.
That can be difficult to say,
but tell them, in whatever words,
in your funny old way.

Take every chance that comes
to do an act of lovingkindness
for those who live in your heart.
These things are powerful voodoo,
because they work for them as well as you.

The only thing we know is true,
is that we don't know what's to come.
Don't just keep them in your heart.
Turn up, and talk, and be with them.

Thank you, dear God, for this good life,
and forgive us if we do not love it enough.
And forgive us if we forget to love the ones we love.

P.S. Don’t beat yourself up. Even if you do all these things, some of us will slip away.

We are good actors and take great pains to keep you off the scent. It’s nothing you did or failed to do. Don’t beat yourself up.



A Service of Celebration

Funeral plans for Neil Edwards – 1 PM Friday, 7th March 2025

Thank you all for the kind words and messages provided to me, Shamen, and Lindsay at this time. It comforts us all to know just how loved Neil was, and I am very grateful for the support that we have received during his brief illness and since his passing. We now have further details for Dad’s funeral, which will take place at 1 PM on Friday, 7th March, at the Village Hall in Spreyton.

https://spreytonparishcouncil.co.uk/spreyton-village…/

This is a celebration of Dad’s life, and so we ask that you wear what you feel comfortable in. For those going to the burial site, we also recommend weather-appropriate clothing and shoes on the day.

Neil will be taken from the hall by car to a woodland burial site in Cheriton Bishop called Crossways; they provide an environmentally friendly burial. We have already made provisions to ensure he has his pipe, tobacco, and matches with him when he is laid to rest. https://crosswayswoodlandburials.co.uk/

Instead of flowers we are asking if people could donate to the Blue Cross there will be a collection on the day or if you would prefer you can donate online with further details below.

If people do not wish to go to the burial site there will be refreshments available at the village hall. Teas, coffees and a bar will be available in the hall which will open once we set of to the burial site. When the burial has taken place we will head straight back to the village hall where some food will then be served.

After this some family and friends will be making their way to the Tom Cobley Tavern in Spreyton.

https://www.tomcobleytavern.co.uk/

All who knew Dad are welcome and if you would like to be with us on the day please let us know by sending us a message so we have an idea of number of attendees on the day. I have also set up a just giving page for the Blue Cross in memory of Neil to find out more click the link below https://www.justgiving.com/page/huw-edwards-2

Eva Cassidy – Who Knows Where The Time Goes