On behalf of Margaret and the family I would like to thank you for coming here today to celebrate and give thanks for the life of my brother, Tim.
Tim and Margaret shared 38 years of marriage. They were devoted. Tim adored Margaret and Margaret adored Tim. Tim always said he felt safe when they were together. He was my only sibling, the eldest son of my mother, Dorothy, and my late father, Ron, and a highly regarded uncle to my children Matt and Rachel. Sadly Matt is unable to join us today but we have all contributed to what I am about to say.
From childhood through to manhood Tim was special, unique in so many remarkable ways. He was severely dyslexic at a time when little was known about the condition. School years were hard and not until he was in his thirties was help available. This changed his life.
He had the skill in his fingers to design and make things. He could mend things that other people would throw away. He had a remarkable ability to see what others could not see and if you did not follow his advice and guidance you would later regret it.
From his earliest years Tim loved everything to do with wildlife, collecting artefacts, and visiting places of historical interest. If we were away on two weeks summer holiday all I wanted to do was swim whilst Tim would be equipped with mallet and chisel looking for fossils or maybe a rare piece of jet or amber on a Suffolk shoreline. He always wore a large sunhat and loved rock pools.
There was one thing in particular I recall us doing together with equal enthusiasm. We would hop on our bikes to visit our Grandmother and she would lavish us with Marks and Spencer walnut whips and Corona pop; luxuries which we did not have at home.
Tim was never happier than when he was out with his beloved Margaret walking and birdwatching on some remote Scottish island, the Scilly Isles or the Norfolk coast. What they shared was so special it was extraordinary. Throughout his life Tim had a passion for music which he shared with Margaret. He gained great pleasure listening to his large record collection and perfecting the setup of his impressive hi-fi system. One of his last projects was to research audio equipment for my son, Matt, when he returns to this country from Seattle in the next few weeks.
Tim was a remarkable and gifted man, a friend to so many and each will have their own memories today. Margaret has received many such messages of condolence of which I quote one from her long standing friend, Audrey who describes Tim exactly; 'honest, frank and no nonsense approach to life. It was this amongst other things that I loved about him'. Tim was a man of the Black Fen soil and, in the words of our Dad when expressing his gratitude, I would like to say to Tim, thank you, bless you.
"Watcha mate" you would say
"Aye up" I'd say as my reply
But today is no longer a normal day
Because my friend, this was goodbye.
For Tim. I'm gonna miss you mate.