On behalf of the family I would like to thank each and every one of you who came to stand outside church on Friday for Alison’s funeral and to those who stood outside in Ballidon and along the roadside whilst we made our way into Parwich.
I would also like to thank you all for your kind donations which will be going to Cancer Research Uk.
We are sorry you couldn’t join us in church but here is Alison’s eulogy which Carl wrote and read for her.
Thanks again, Shaun and family.
Alison asked me some time ago if I would read out some words for her when this day came. She never got round to finishing what she wanted me to read but did leave instruction that I was to say something and I had to make it funny. So no pressure then…
Alison and I became good mates during our time at Parwich Legion over 20 years ago.
We found ourselves looking after the legion at a point in time where its popularity was beginning to wane and the coffers were beginning to run low. In fact it got to the stage where we thought we might have to close as we were down to our last thousand in the bank and had to call an emergency meeting to discuss its future.
Whilst talking about it over a fag outside Alison said “If we can get it through Christmas Carl I think we can make it work” after that we did get it through that Christmas and we got it through the next 20 of them.
Alison wasn’t keen on the paperwork side of things, her strengths lay with the hands-on tasks – including the numerous cash and carry runs, Wakes Saturday Cobs, outside bars and Santa presents to name a few but it was the cleaning where Alison shone!
She was always there, reliable as ever, quite possibly nursing a sore head but always ready to start the clean up after the many, many party’s and events we had. In fact the one piece of kit she always took responsibility for as a committee member was the legion hoover. Alison was especially keen on the Legion Clean up days we held – these days were as much fun as they were hard work and they always ended with a Rob and Emma BBQ and plenty of whisky and wine which she loved.
The one thing with having Alison on the committee was you knew she would tell you what she thought, if she wasn’t impressed with something she would tell you. I can tell you now she didn’t like the 15 foot Christmas tree I bought inside one year and she disliked it even more when the tree killed her precious hoover whilst she was using it.
At one point in the early days I roped everyone on the committee into painting the legion after convincing them that it needed brightening up – to which they all agreed, Alison included. I also convinced them that it could all be done in one weekend. The Saturday went well, the Saturday night got a little messy and I ended up over sleeping for most of the next day’s painting – which I don’t think she ever let me forget.
But I would say Alison’s joy about being involved with the legion was about all the people she had around her and the events and parties and unplanned party’s we all shared together – she quite often talked about “what a great bunch of people we had around us and how lucky we were”. I think she secretly even liked participating in the Mr and Mrs Competition this great bunch of people signed her up for without her knowing.
Alison always enjoyed the parties we had. But before they got there Shaun would sit for a weekly fashion parade and be consulted on what she should wear – every time he would say “yes you look lovely”, and on that Alison would go and get changed again – after 3 or 4 attempts they would eventually make it out.
The buffets at these party’s always generated some interest and scandal – at one point “Buffet Bouncers” very nearly had to be employed!! But once any buffet controversy was dealt with – armed with a whisky and diet coke (or Jack Daniels on special occasions) Alison would be found dancing to Lady GaGa and Scissors Sisters in the early days with Lee Hanrahan’s car radio sound system and when the gibbon bought us into the 21st century her top 3 requests were Avicii – Wake me up, Robin Thicke – Blurred lines and Clean Bandit – Rockabye – but Hotch would only play 2 of them as he didn’t like the Clean bandit song.
New Year’s Eve always meant the annual walk home for Alison and Shaun as neither wanted to drive. On one occasion, after moaning the whole way back to Ballidon and losing a shoe in the mud. Alison told Shaun “A gentleman would have stayed sober and driven me home” and proceeded to clobber him with her handbag with Shaun all the while laughing.
Alison was one of the driving forces for getting the legion where it is today, she told me it was the end of an era when I finally left the legion, which perhaps it was but I am so pleased that she enjoyed it and that we all got to spend that time with her and to laugh with her.
It wasn’t just the legion where Alison had been a driving force, years before she had been a key player in making the mother and baby club a success in Parwich – rallying everyone round to get involved including a reluctant Pat I believe.
Alison had a very generous and caring nature – recently on one of her trips to Derby the card only ticket machine in the car park had broken and she kindly bought a ticket for a gentleman who had no cash.
From the notes Alison did write down she clearly wanted to thank all of her family and friends, especially Pat, for all of their help, support and love given over the last few difficult months.
Obviously due to the pandemic we cannot give Alison the Parwich send-off she deserves and would expect – but rest assured we will sort this later in the year and yes Alison – Buffett Bouncers will be recruited
Alison was very popular and well-loved by a lot of people as is evident by all those stood outside today who unfortunately can’t be in church but so wanted to be a part of this – so from us all – Alison we will all miss you greatly – rest well.
PARWICH.ORG 
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