Alan Smith Eulogy given by Peter Smith
April 6, 2021 3:27 pm | by admin | Posted in Tributes
The following is the Eulogy given by Peter Smith (Alan’s brother) at Alan’s funeral on 12 November 2020 at St Andrew’s Church Biggleswade.
I feel very honoured to have been asked to give this family tribute.
This caught my eye – Sheila died on 16th March 2019 Alan 16th October 2020.
Alan was a member of this church all his life.
My brother Alan was a very much loved and respected son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, father-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle and friend. That alone is a lifetime of high achievement.
Alan was much more than that as we shall see as I take us on a quick journey through his life.
Alan Stanley Lewis smith was born on 18th July 1935, first son to Stanley and Violet Smith. The first four years of his life were spent in Enfield, Middlesex moving to Bedfordshire in September 1939 to spend the first six months at Holme Mill with Mr and Mrs Jordan. The family then moved to wharf house in Shortmead Street, Biggleswade, heated only by coal fires and no running hot water which meant boiling kettles for a bath in front of the kitchen range. It had two redeeming features: an enormous garden and the other a long wide curved bannister great for sliding down, which of course was banned, but he did it anyway.
In 1945 our family moved to 130 Drove Road, Biggleswade – a house with all modern conveniences, but sadly no bannister.
Alan started school at Miss Smith’s preschool in a wooden shed in her garden in Drove Road, then to hits pits infants school going on to the boy’s junior school in Rose Lane soon to be amalgamated with the girl’s school in Shortmead Street, then back to hits pits to finish his formal education at the senior school.
On leaving school he went to work for FG & EA Ball, market gardeners, in Potton Road, Biggleswade, growing vegetables and flowers, steadily working his way up to farm manager. Alan changed career when moving to Samuel Whitbread School, Shefford as groundsman. He was then promoted to oversee the school grounds in Luton and Mid-Beds until retiring in year 2000.
In November 1953 he started his three years of national service in the army spending most of that time at a small arms training establishment where he made two lifelong friends.
Alan met Sheila Duffin through bellringing and a lifelong love affair started and they married in 1958.Sorry Alan – but I have kept this secret for 62 years – he forgot the ring and had to rush back to Biggleswade in his standard 8 car to get it just in time!
Married life started at Turnpike Farm, then Rose Villas and many happy years in Osprey Road. His great joy was their very loving and close-knit family’ started with two daughters, then four granddaughters and eight great grandchildren. He was very proud of every one of you and your achievements.
The family holidays were taken all over England and abroad before these destinations became fashionable. One favourite place was Gran Canaria.
During senior school Alan played youth football for a team run by Charley Maile playing home games on the back meadow having to carry the goalpost the length of Shortmead Street and back for home games. Going to away game by bike or public buses.
He had morning and evening paper rounds to fund the purchase of his bicycle.
At the age of eight Alan joined St Andrews church choir rising to become leading chorister. He took leading roles in the choir concerts, I am putting this tribute together with the Messiah playing in the background which brings back the memory of standing next to Alan singing the Hallelujah Chorus for the BBC Home Service, (Radio 4) broadcast of Sunday Half Hour, a weekly programme of hymn singing.
Bellringing was started at the age of nine and he was still ringing, a 76-year commitment, with a very impressive CV to unfold and far too expensive to record in full. Apart from President, Alan held all the Bedfordshire Association officer positions and all the Biggleswade District officer roles; he was an honorary life member of the Bedfordshire Association and was closely involved with the organisation of, and taking part in, many events. He was a member of the Bedfordshire ‘Young Ringers’ who travelled the country on their bikes, ringing at the local churches and staying in youth hostels.
In 1986 Alan and Sheila bought the first of their three boats, a river cruiser, and so started 30 years of travelling the canals, rivers and dykes of England and Wales. Their other two boats were a 36ft narrow boat and then a 55-footer. In retirement they would leave in May and return in September to be joined by friends and family on route. During this time and until his death he helped with the upkeep of the canal system, a job he was enthusiastic about.
Alan had always enjoyed singing and joined the Biggleswade choral society in September 1958 and was still singing with them. Singing in many concerts and venues including the Albert Hall. He was Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity and Tenor representative. But not at the same time.
I would now like to give a quick personal tribute.
Alan was my older brother with whom I spent many happy hours cycling, walking, playing football, cricket and discussing everything. A brother I looked up to and admired and who I held in great esteem. He has been there for me for more than 80 years especially when the times in my life were tough.
Thank you, dear brother Alan.
A quote from Alan:
“During my lifetime I have made many good friends and I’m glad of the extended family I have around England, especially the closely related ones nearby”.
Alan was a loving family man and friend, a Christian and a gentleman
May God bless you dear brother Alan.
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