One wedding and a funeral
I go home tomorrow night for what was always going to be my brother’s wedding, but sadly I now have to attend my best mate’s Dad’s funeral on Wednesday as well.
The funeral will be held at Hither Green Crematorium, which will also enable me to visit my dear Nan & Grandad. Afterwards we will have a couple of beers in the Catford Cricket Club, both at the bequest of my mate’s Dad, as was banning any black clothes because as he used to say: “funerals were too depressing.” So colours it is.
I was born and lived in Catford until my late 20’s and haven’t ventured back for many years, mostly because no one I know longer lives in the area. The Catford Cricket Club in the quiet Penerley Road was a regular late night hang out for me and many of my mates, and their Dads, after the pub shut at 11.
Sunday lunchtimes in the Cricket Club was also de rigueur at the time initally nursing hangovers but gradually shaking them as the afternoon wore on following a few hair’s of the dog. Drawing the curtains, football on the telly, I was often there until it was time to go home and iron a shirt for work the next day!
Wednesday will be a tough day, as my mate’s parents have always treated me like family and his sudden death has hit them hard. I will drive my Mum & Dad back to East Sussex later that evening, as they will be at the funeral too, as will my brother, and then come back to Chislehurst on Thursday to watch the World Cup opener with mates.
On Friday after picking up my son, we drive to the middle of nowhere in Berkshire for a family lunch followed by pre-marital groom drinks in Newbury…. yet to be arranged by me.
My brother and his fiancee are getting married in a forest, literally. A blank canvas to allow them – both arty, creative types – to produce a one-off wedding setting. It should be beautiful, but all eyes are on the weather and wellies may well have to be cut out of the photos.
The nearest village is Aldermaston where the local hotel has agreed to show the England v Italy game, which kicks off just as we will arrive back from the forest in buses. With best man duties over and a busy week past, I will be ready to tuck into a few sherberts.
