On Friday 8th April I joined a great many others at Seven Hills Crematorium to pay my last respects to Bryan Knights, fellow member of the Ipswich Greyhound Regiment and a friend for nearly 40 years.
Having lived away from Ipswich for over 30 years I only got to see Bryan on rare occasions, usually at football and cricket matches or the regimental dinner. Bryan was unique. The occasion did give me the chance to see a lot of people who I hadn't seen in far too long. Bob Shelley for example, I used to live in digs next door to Bob back in the mid seventies, and have a 'full monty' breakfast at Jack's Cafe a couple of times a week. Shame he is not on BBC Radio Suffolk any more on a Sunday morning. I am sure that listening to Bob's 'humour' is all Louise used to come over to Ipswich for. Most of the local press lads were in attendance, Dave Allard, Neil Manning, Elvin King, Tony Garnet along with Brenner Woolley from BBC Radio Suffolk and Mel Henderson who used to produce all the match day programmes amongst other things for the football club. Raymond East, Essex CCC was another good friend that I was able to have a chat with, and share a beer with, once back at Gresham's after the service. Ray was a regular partner of Bryan's at Ipswich Golf Club, it must have been fun playing golf against a pairing of those two together. Everybody from The Colonel to David Sheepshanks and John Duncan were there to show their respects. Dan, the landlord of my favourite Ipswich Pub, The Greyhound on Henley Rd, along with his chef Brian were there and both in good form. Gloria Young has still not managed to shake Rex off yet, good to see them still looking so good and still enjoying each other's company after over 50 years together. Stan and Pat Singleton, Rick Jones who spoke very well, too many people to mention really, Bobby Ferguson, David Rose, Simon Milton, Jason Dozzell, Mick Mills, Allan Hunter, Steve Foley, Mike Noye,,just a few of the very many.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorRussell Osman is a former England & Ipswich Footballer, 4 Handicap Golfer and Father of 3. Archives
April 2018
Categories |