TIM
On behalf of Sheila’s grandchildren, I’d like to share a few memories of our Gran.
Gran was warm, generous and a lot of fun to be around. She always had time for her grand- and great-grandchildren and had a way of making us feel special, often with a knowing wink or a smile. As children, we were always excited to make the trip over to Gran and Grandad’s house. One of my earliest memories is raiding Gran’s dressing up box at Markland Hill Close in Bolton. Later, when they moved to Cumbria, the whole family would converge on their house, Alby Bank, particularly at Easter. It was a magical place at that time of year – and I’ll never forget the Easter egg hunts in the garden, going to Whittington races, drinking Irn Bru and eating Gran’s Kentish cake.
Emily:
Emily said: ‘When I think of Gran, I remember the times at Alby Bank when we would take it in turns to get a ‘Gran Back Scratch’... and how she would always make sure we didn’t forget her!
All of Gran’s baking was to die for, but her chewy flapjack was the best I’ve ever had!
Marcus:
When asked to share a memory of Gran, Marcus said: The first thing I thought of was the time I smashed the garden shed window with a football. I was in tears, as I knew I was going to be in trouble... but Gran just laughed!
I will also never forget the excitement of visiting Gran and GD, knowing that her famous lemon drizzle cake was just around the corner!
Zoe:
Zoe’s memory is also from times spent at Alby Bank:
Gran and I had a lovely routine of doing her makeup at Alby Bank. I would be her assistant, and every time we went to visit, she would test me on the order to pass her all the different products!
Lucy
Lucy recalled the things she will miss most about visiting Gran: The way she would throw her arms open wide when I arrived, and give the biggest hugs; just chatting about anything and everything; her sense of humour, and the way we laughed together every time we saw her.
At Micklethwaite Grove in Wetherby, she would always be waiting by the kitchen window to wave us off when we left... every single time!
Seeing Gran meet her Great Grandson Rafferty for the very first time tops them all.
Helen
Helen said: When remembering Gran, it’s all the small things that come to mind - how I delighted in eating the chocolates she hung on her Christmas tree and seeing the same delight in Oscar’s eyes when he picked one off his Gan Gan’s tree last Christmas.
How she cut the crusts off my cheese and pickle sandwiches (even when I was far too old for her to be doing so), and made my favourite ‘Summer Chicken’ dish whenever I came to stay... and, of course, the infamous cake cupboard!