. Just south of Horsham a she slowed in the damp November drizzle by a big roundabout, an idiot came from the south, and was driving so fast that he overshot the north lane of the dual carriage way, careered across the large central grass reservation and slammed three quarters into her. Fortunately an off duty policeman following saw the accident and with his rare in those days, mobile phone, called the emergency services. The children in their padded car seats were unharmed, and I picked them up from Crawley Hospital, but it took the firemen 1 ½ hours to cut poor fractured Jane out and further 6 weeks in hospital. Needless to say the traumatic shock re-ignited her cancer leaving Paul a year later with two Motherless children. But they have grown up into two fine lads, both keen on cricket and now Paul has a new partner another Sarah Buxton who together make a fine pair with their interests such as sking etc in common.
Sadly in 2005 Hugh my brother died. Again like the passing of Mother it broke a link with the wild colonial era that we had grown up in. He had been in very poor health for years due to excessive smoking in his youth that had ruined his lungs and arteries. But he was more than just a brother, but the closest friend one could ever wish for, with the shrewdest judge of character.He was wealthy man, not in baubles , bling and fancy cars, but richness of years of an exciting life in the African bush,the Indian Army and Ceyllon . He had that real bushman’s instinct and he was always right in his judgement of a peron’s abilities and character. Luckily his splendid wife Anne had three children, Jane, Catherine and James all who have done well and look after her. We would chat for hours ,together on the phone any time, any place, so his departure again was a great loss. Both his daughters Jane and Catherine had their weddings in our garden one of the many great family events to remember. In 1998 I decided to split the Company and pass on the Woodworking business over to the boys with its 30,000 sq ft freehold site in Horsham, who being young obviously had different expansionist plans, and should not be restricted by an elderly Father. They have done well and been very successful, and their business has continued its steady prudent expansion into export markets overseas in Africa and the Middle East.
I end this note with thanks for an eventful life. When young in the beauty of upcountry Ceylon, my prospects of a long life were poor with an attack of Tuberculosis which lasted a year when I was 9 years of age. Then a few years later, fortunately I survived the terrifying naval engagement with the German raider “Thor”, in the Indian Ocean, and later 3 ½ tough years as a POW in Japan. After the war in Ceylon I nearly died of an insect bite on my chin with acute septicaemia and deliriousness in the brain, and here I still am! I have been blessed throughout, first with a wonderful Mother, followed by a most loyal, hard-working, long suffering, and forgiving wife who has been at my side for over 60 years. She was a stalwart in holding the Business together during the awful slump of 1973 when we almost went under. Without her efforts for which I am eternally grateful, none of us would have had a chance let alone, our successful businesses in Woodworking & Property etc. To my Jill we all owe a golden debt of gratitude for all her hard work always uncomplaining, which must never be forgotten!
I have lived in a pleasant house in Surrey for almost the past 50 years with an enormous 4 acre garden that I have created that has given me the interest, health and pleasure that keeps me constantly creative. The two large conservatories built on either side of the house, have given light, colour and chance to grow exotic plants, to give the property a very personal and unique tropical feel like Ceylon in Engalnd! Luckily I have always had boundless energy, constantly on the go, though with increasing years I now get tired more easily and have to have catnaps to keep constantly active. Still it could have been worse! My dread in life was having to work in the City and go by train each day, a journey I performed for two years of drudge on our return from Ceylon, until finally I launched into business at the start of 1968. The party is almost over now....it has been altogether a thrilling, action packed, and exciting bash, and these notes are a small reminder to the next generation to treat the world and life as an opportunity for excitement and adventure...Remember never blame anyone for ones predicament and don’t whine. No one is ever dealt a perfect hand of cards. And remember before you moan “The Fault lies not in our Stars, but in ourselves!” to quote from Julius Caesar. Or in modern terms “The buck stops with you!”
Goodbye........Mike
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