Brian Purches (14 Oct 1931 - 8 Dec 2021)

In loving memory of Brian Purches who sadly passed away on 8th December 2021

What can we say about Brian?

He was born on 14th October 1931 at Lydeard St Lawrence, near Taunton.

When he was about three years of age, the family with his two brothers and two sisters moved to Goosenford, West Monkton where the family remained.

He went to West Monkton Village School and later went on to Bridgwater College where he studied Technical Drawing, and Carpentry and Joinery. He subsequently obtained his City and Guilds Certificate.

Following this, he started an apprenticeship with W H Tottle & Son in Greenway Road, Taunton and after several years, became a fully qualified Carpenter and Joiner.

Whilst working on a building in Wiveliscombe, he met Anne who was visiting her relatives. Following three years of courtship (long distance as Anne lived in South Wales), they were married on 10th December 1955 at St Catherine’s Church in Caerphilly.

After a brief time staying in Goosenford, Brian and Anne moved into a flat in Canon Street, Taunton. The flat was situated very near to the Fire Station which proved interesting at times when the fire siren sounded and the fire engines screamed out of the station.

They later moved around the corner to Winchester Street and it was whilst there that their son, Stephen was born making the family complete.

In 1960 the family moved to Selworthy Road remaining there to the present day.

Happy times followed attending schools sports days, school plays, parties with friends and holidays – a typical happy family. Brian didn’t learn to drive until later in life so family holidays for Anne, Stephen and himself were usually by train, a real adventure in those early days.

What a happy day it was when Stephen married Clare in 1990 and further joyous times when Chris & Matt, his grandsons arrived – everyone was over the moon. His two grandsons were the light of his life.

Brian spent his working life in and around Taunton working on various buildings including County Hall, Van Heusen’s Factory, the Telephone Exchange and many more. He ended his career working for British Rail at the Concrete Works in Priorswood Road where he worked for 17 years .

On retiring, Brian really enjoyed his hobbies. He and Anne holidayed, did Ballroom dancing (for which Brian had been awarded a bronze medal), walking and time out with both friends and family. Sea-fishing was a good time for him which he enjoyed with his ex work colleagues as well as occasionally with his son, Stephen.

However Brian’s real passion was steam engineering. He belonged to both the Taunton Model Engineers and the Sedgemoor Vintage Club for many years. He spent many contented hours in his shed making steam engines and models, and was never happier than going to the various local steam rallies where he exhibited some of his engines.

Brian was a quiet and very easy going man who loved his family and his grandsons of whom he was immensely proud. He and Anne enjoyed nearly 66 years of marriage, receiving two cards from the Queen to mark their 60th and 65th anniversaries.

He was always willing to offer advice when required and always willing to help anyone with anything carpentry wise or mechanical. This included amongst other things fitting floors, doors, new kitchen as well as helping his grandson Matt make a large model wooden Spitfire for a school project and making steam engines for both his son and grandsons.

His tastes were relatively simple and he ‘didn’t like a fuss’. He enjoyed Anne’s cooking and wasn’t one for foreign foods. He had a very ‘sweet tooth’ and would much prefer chocolate, puddings etc to cooked meals.

Brian could be a bit of a procrastinator. When asked to make a decision, his stock answer would often be “I’ll think about it” – on occasions to the annoyance of both Anne and Stephen! He was also a bit of a worrier and always very safety conscious.

In latter years, he had various health issues including Parkinson’s Disease and Macular Degeneration which, as they got progressively worse, gradually limited his capability to do ‘everyday things’ which we know he found very frustrating but he endured it and was as active as he could be right up until the end.

Thank you Brian/Dad/Grandad for being such a part of our lives. We cherish your memory and we will all miss you dearly.