Brian Culcheth (3 Aug 1938 - 11 Sep 2022)

*Please note, all are welcome at the service and the celebration afterwards. The celebration will be hosted at Porlock Recreation Ground; just a short walk from the Church. We have both the Pavilion and a marquee, where there will be drinks and cake [as Dad would have wanted!], as well as a bar. There is parking at the Rec for all guests, as well as a display area for Rally or otherwise Classic cars.

For those who can't attend in person, you can join remotely via a webcast, using the following link; please copy + paste this into your web browser, as Funeral Guide doesn't enable links;
https://boxcast.tv/view/27th-september-2022---brian-culcheth-kk626d9ocxierc8r1tlo

IMPORTANT: as the day is to be a celebration of Dad's life, and at his specific request, we ask those who are able to attend, not to wear black, and instead, don some colour for the occasion.*

From Lucy & Oli:
Our wonderful, incredible, amazing Dad passed away at home on the morning of Sunday 11th September. Oli, Mum and I were with him, holding his hands, talking to him, and surrounding him with our love. He knew we were there, that he was safe and he quietly slipped away.

We were devastated when he was diagnosed with the brain tumour in June and we were fearful of what ‘a few short months’ meant. He was so brave and we talked openly and honestly about everything from the diagnosis, his funeral plans, what his ‘bucket list’ looked like and shared so many memories of our lives together.

In the weeks post-diagnosis right up until early September he remained committed to all his passions and interests; he walked every day, he carried on cycling (he cycled 20 miles on 11th August!), he read, he spent hours playing trains, he corresponded with friends, he ate lots of cake and ice cream, he attended a huge rally event at the British Motor Museum, he enjoyed lunches out, he spent time with friends and family, he enjoyed trips on the steam railway…

He didn’t stop, he lived life to the full, and right to the end.

His final wishes were that he wanted to be at home as long as possible, to be surrounded by family, and for the end to be as dignified as possible. Sadly ‘a few short months’ was just that but we are thankful that all his final wishes were granted.

Dad truly was an incredible man who bought so much joy and happiness to those lives he touched. He was so many things; kind, considerate, endlessly reliable, thoughtful, honest, funny, modest, and so much more. To quote him he ‘had the most amazing life and he LIVED it’.

He was genuinely interested in others and the world around him, he took time to listen and was an amazing judge of character. He was passionate about nature, cycling, and the two places most important to him; Porlock and Kilchoan in Scotland. He instilled those loves in us as children and we in turn have passed them on to our children. Gifts we will forever thank him for.

His family meant the world to him, he utterly adored his grandchildren and we’re so grateful they have all known him. He shared his passion for steam trains with his grandson Henry and they spent hours playing trains together, something which bought Dad huge happiness.

Along with mum, he gave Oli and I the most phenomenal grounding in life, he made us feel safe and loved, always. He supported us, guided us through challenges and joys, and was always there for us. He always told us how much he loved us and made sure we absolutely knew and felt that love.

We will miss him with all our hearts, and will love him deeply forever.

He truly valued his friendships and right to the end was so committed and enthusiastic about keeping in touch with his wide network. He was passionate about running Porlock Hardware for all those years, serving Exmoor and the village, he loved meeting rally fans at events and steam train enthusiasts at model railway meets.

He leaves a massive Brian-shaped gap in our lives and the lives of so many others but we are so thankful for his life, for all that he gave us and so proud that he was our Dad.

We will all carry his spirit with us, and he will live on in our hearts.

It’s now our job to honour this wonderful man and celebrate all that he gave to us as a family, his friends and so many people, locally, nationally, and internationally.

The funeral will be held in Porlock at St Dubricius Church, with a direct cremation, which is what Dad wanted, followed by a celebration somewhere in Porlock. We are still in the process of organising this and will share details as soon as we have finalised them.

We appreciate not everyone will be able to attend so we will supply a link nearer the time for a live video link to the service. After the funeral it should be available online for those to watch at a later date.

Everyone is welcome! If you can use the link on this page to confirm attendance we would be very grateful.

Dad will have a cardboard coffin which we will cover with pictures, photos and messages and make it brilliant! If you would like to share any photos or messages with us to include we would love that. Ideally could you please share them via the link on this site or email lucyculcheth@hotmail.com and put Brian as the subject.

He requested that people wear colour, not black, and for as little misery as possible! He had an amazing life, he lived it to the full, he didn’t waste a moment, he gave so much and we genuinely want to celebrate this special man.

We extend huge thanks to all those who have sent cards and kind wishes, it’s so lovely to read these and know how many live our wonderful Dad touched.

With warm wishes,

Lucy and Oli x