I have known Colin since I was 11 years old, when he met my sister Jean. I have many happy memories over the years, as our lives were always closely linked, he was very special to me and I loved him like a brother.
I was a bridesmaid at their wedding, I would have been 13 or maybe 14 at the time and loved every minute of it. Jean made her own wedding dress and Keith helped her with the cake. I now wonder, if that was the first wedding cake Jean ever made.
I remember when Emma was born, when they still lived at Clifton. I travelled over on the bus to see them all, my first time that way no doubt.
Colin helped teach me to drive many moons ago, allowing me to drive their then Moggy Minor, on a trip up the A1. Not the road it is today I have to say, many roundabouts, with not many Motorway stretches. It was on this trip, I learnt the difference between stopping at 30 miles per hour and stopping at 60 miles per hour. Colin shouting, brake, brake, brake, louder each time. I did eventually brake in time but I stalled the car engine. The problem was, it didn't have a starter motor, Colin had to get out of the car, in the middle of the stationary traffic to start the car with the starter handle. I recall one lorry driver shouting something at him, but as always Colin gave some banter back and wasn't at all embarrassed by it, he just saw the funny side.
We all know how much football meant to Colin, well I can brag, I kept him away from a finals match at Wembley Stadium. I had a family party at home the evening before, Colin having much to drink and late to bed, didn't get up in time for the bus the following morning. Oh Dear!!! We did all get to Wembley though for a football final. Unsure whether it was before or after that time, but we went to see Rainworth Miners Welfare play, 1982, lads I went to school with, playing on Wembley pitch, unfortunately we lost. Dam!!
Wembley was also the venues for concerts we all went to, both Arena and Stadium. Colin, Jean and I had a day in London before an evening at the Arena rocking to Billy Joel. The Stadium was the place we saw Queen in 1986, the Magic Tour, what a brilliant day that was. Colin drove down, I offered to drive back, but no, he was alright, until suddenly he pulled off the motorway and asked me to drive. Within minutes he was asleep in the back and all the others too. Another special memory was seeing the Drifters at Jacksdale, would you believe that, and Hot Chocolate in Birmingham. These were the start of many concerts Colin attended, he loved his music and his tastes were very varied.
So a happy life went on with many trips, walks, family parties and holidays, all with much laughter, lots of love and sometimes a little sadness. As the years went by, holidays became a massive love of Colin's, he was always talking of his holiday fund, every small win he had on the premium bonds always went into his holiday fund. I had the great pleasure of going on holiday to Italy with Colin & Jean in 1992. Where one evening Colin and I had a big debate on the difference between working tolerances in the metal industry, verses the sewing industry. Colin not believing it was right to have cm allowances instead of the mm allowances as in metal work. Colin ever the perfectionist. Italy was the start of our saying " Luke Spook" which was said down some lonely back street , while visiting Assisi and Colin learnt his first Italian words " Due Berra grande" two large beers. When he panicked that the barman was only pouring two glasses which were far to small for Colin. We went on to touring America, then to the Atlanta Olympic games. Such a brilliant holiday. Then to Australia and the Sydney Olympic games, where Colin taught me a lesson in getting the quietest of people to talk. We had the grumpiest taxi driver ever, on the way from the airport, but Colin eventually got him talking. I can't remember the subject, but it was Colin's belief, that there was always something that everyone wanted to talk about, it was just a matter of finding it. But then that was Colin, a big believer in all people, he had a big heart and a big personality and it's a lesson I still use today and always will.
Colin was very dear to me, I will miss him always, he has left a massive crater in our lives and I feel devastated for my sister Jean, their love and life was very special and it breaks my heart to see her so upset and hurting. I am always thinking of his children Emma, Darren and their families and how much they too are missing their dad and grandad, he was a great man who was a privilege to know. Love you always Colin
Love Doreen
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