07/09/2009 by Russell.

 At last, this is it for all to see

Posted in Chesterfield, Wingerworth, Leslie Preston, Grandad, dad | No Comments »

31/05/2009 by Russell.

 Wow! it was hot, and we both flagged a bit, Oblivion, Nemesis and this one, Willy WOnka’s glass elevator and a stroll thru the gardens.  Emily you missed it,  easy journey from Chesterfield, rather down south.  Top tip, get online and buy in advance, plus get the queue beating ticket for £8 extra.

Click the pic to see full sized image

Posted in Alton Towers, Greg, dad, Holiday | No Comments »

29/01/2009 by Russell.

What a day, my father had a great send off. over 100 people turned out to say farewell to my father, and I am grateful for those who came along. Imet and chatted to people from my village -Wingerworth - whom I hadn’t seen in years and years. Don of Lydgate farm (now a housing estate), Peter Normans father, John Radford (father of Andrew) and many others who I can’t even remember.  But also, was a bit of a family re-union, seeing some cousins I hadn’t seen since the 1970’s -wow! what a lovely time, then there was Peter, Ian, Karen And Suzanne, the children of Jean and the late Brian Young, wonderful to see them.

Of course it was great to see such friends as Kevin and Anne make the journey from Buckinghamshire to attend the funeral - friends indeed.

A sad but joyous day for seeing so many acquintances, and of course great thanks to Barry and Peter for coming along from Congleton. What a lucky person to have such comrades in arms. Over the past year I have felt alone and it is only now I have found that i do have friends, I have felt this way because of what trauma I have created for the family unit.

Love to Phillip, Kirsten, Emily, and Gregory  and Christine, the day would have been soulless without you there to share his day.  Also Brenda suffered enough with my father, just hope she can get out on the Moors soon.

On the day, i thought I would never make the speech and Barry was there to talk it through, (see post below) courage, or fortitude, i don’t know - but it all flowed as i wanted to remember my father, it was his last stand in the public eye, so I wanted it to count.  God what do you do now your parents have both died? it certainly is a strange experience, they have been there, always there, but now its not a family of three,  it’s a family of just 1………..

So long Dad, enjoy your reunion with Mum

On a positive note, 26th January  also a date when Bruce released his latest CD, what better accompanyment to drive home with eh?

Posted in Buckinghamshire, Wingerworth, Kirsten, Emily, Leslie Preston, Grandad, dad, Phillip, Greg, Uncategorised | No Comments »

16/01/2009 by Russell.

Eulogy to my father: ‘Keep Doin’ 

Incredible as it seems – it has been exactly 45 years and two months since an address to a nation by an incoming President was made stating the immortal line

“All I have,  I would have given gladly,  not to be standing here today”

How poignant that such words ring true about my Dad and latterly Grandad.

This is a celebration of a life, which has had many ups and downs, and I would like to take the opportunity to share some of those moments with you.

Leslie, was one of 7 brothers and 1 sister living at
Brockwell Lane, Chesterfield, where I too lived for the first year of my life. He was the last, his eldest brother was 25 when he was born, so little in common with his siblings.

When he was young, my Dad left school at 14 and worked in the repair shop at Robinsons, fixing the dials and gauges from shot down aircraft, when the war was over, Robinsons wanted him to move to London. He was already a charge hand supervising other workers at such a young age.

My dad was steadfast in his desire to be a joiner, so whilst at Robinsons he went to nightschool to learn how to be a craftsman. He started working for one of his brothers building caravans I think and so he moved into joinery.

He never did his National service – claiming that the his draft notice went up in smoke in Nottingham, well being a joiner he had plenty of kindle.

He started working for Adlingtons of Wingerworth, where he used to cycle from Brockwell Lane to Clay Cross – about 8 miles He married my mother – in 1951 – she wasn’t allowed to get married until she was 21

When I was born my mother was moved to Sheffield hospital and my father would cycle to the station and get a train tovisit my mum and me, this shows his level of thoughtfulness and devotion to his family.

We moved to Wingerworth in 1960, the first plot on the estate, and he still cycled to work.

But one thing I noticed about my dad he loved to get washed and changed as he called it and put on a suit and tie for the sheer pleasure of looking smart and well presented, The shopping trips I have been dragged on - round Sheffield come to mind, to kit him out.

My dad didn’t acquire his driving licence until 1969, where he enjoyed the delights of motoring for the first time.  Football was my life after my dad got me playing, loved and still do, so did my Dad -Most of his hours behind the wheel was ferrying us to matches or wannabe footballers from Tupton Hall to places around town or home without a word of complaint, and that could be said also for Keith Norman who is here today. That was his nature to ‘keep doin’ and never complain.

He was a family man, a gardener, a mr fixit, a humble man who would enjoy the fruits of his hard labour.

As he matured badminton became a love of his, he’d play up at hunloke and Calver, a game he enjoyed with Brian Davis, terry Wilmot and of course the late Brian Young, all people who enjoyed the game with my father, all of whom are here today paying respect to my father, and I thank you for asking him to join you.

He was never loud or brash, just a quiet man in the wings, but once he knew you he was always ready to laugh along, many times at home with relatives, notably auntie Hilda, he had such joy

Then his world collapsed on Christmas Day 1995, my mother died quite suddenly, he was beside himself in grief, my mother was a rock for him, she was everything, but he never winced about it, he just ‘kept doin’ when we spoke. But he found solace in people like ruby and george, and of course his second life began with the meeting up with Brenda, his fiancée and partner and rock through later years.

My dad never said much, but his life changed from setting up with Brenda, he was out in the hills of Derbyshire rekindling his youth where he had walked with my mum in their courting days. He loved it. Brenda gave him this new life and he wanted to get out in the hills, sometimes he’s go off on his own.

Then 2002, on a walking holiday, his life would never really be the same, neither would Brenda’s, he was rushed to the hospital in Palma in Majorca and diagnosed with bowel cancer.  All new territory for him. He was strong and healthly bar for this. He dealt with it in his own determined way, and Brenda’s support and encouragement, began to get better, and he was struck with cancer of the liver. Onwards and upwards was his belief, to get out on holiday and walking again.

Unfortunately for him the clock was ticking, but without Brenda’s fortitude and sometimes carrying my Dad forward, we may have been here today some years earlier. My father was so dependent on Brenda, that I he wouldn’t do anything without asking, “what’s Bren say” would be his response. He had found his soul mate.

Always cheerful with the children, no separation, they were all his grandchildren of which he was proud. He was a man of few words, but we did have two conversations in our lives which stuck in my mind I would like to share with you.

He said, “Russell, what an amazing life, I think I have lived in the best possible time, when I grew up, there was only  a horse and cart, cars were rare, we listened to the radio, now in my lifetime I have seen colour television, a man on the moon, I have lived through no world wars, I have travelled to different palces, computers in the home things which I couldn’t imagine as a child, fantastic he said.

The other was the other day, I asked if he was disappointed that I didn’t play professional football? Something he new I always wanted to do, and so I had to reconcile this with him and my disappointment was his disappointment too for me, He said son, I am very proud of you and your education and what you have done, I didn’t want you to play professionally, you see a man of few words who took until now to say I hadn’t disappointed. I have carried that with me for years, So I guess what I have learnt, is tell your children now before it gets too late and that will go a long way.

And many thanks to those who have shared my fathers and my life up here, I don’t know if we will all see each other again.

Before coming to the end of my fathers life, I would like to read out a prayer which the recently deceased old war veteran chief petty officer Bill Stone would recount

It typifies my fathers optimism in life

Lord keep us safe this night

Secure from all our fears

And may angels guards us while we sleep, till morning light appears

That’s his motto – ‘keep doin’, the angels are looking after you now Dad

Leslie Preston, father, grandfather and Uncle, Rest in Peace.

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28/12/2008 by Russell.

Christmas came and went in a blurr.  Goose overcooked, lost at tennis on the Wii, lost at ten pin owling on the Wii, lost on Mario Kart, not all the time, but shave and close come to mind.

My knee is still injured, but that didn’t prevent me from having a visit to casualty, love the programme so much I just had to experience it first hand. Slept all Christmas Eve and had all Christmas Day a little rubber ring thingy in my ear from my ipod headphones. Tweezers didn’t do the trick, so when finally discovered this thing, Casualty beckoned.  Greg and I sat around for an hour, no-one there, Mary Celeste etc, then a huge woman, and her huge kids came in and got served in 10mins, and we still sat there for another 40mins, NHS (Not Happy Service) was not looking after its customers, absolutely shoddy.

We were seen by 3 people, so where we these characters when we walked in? the thing was pulled clear and all over in 10 mins, something not quite right when it takes this long to be seen.

Yikes - go some new jeans - not a sale item - despite the paucity of the high street. This means I have now got 2 pairs of trousers to wear.

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13/12/2008 by Russell.

My dad has now been in hospital over 10 days now, his strength and will to go on is unsurpassed. He started with sickeness, urinary infection, and had his kidney pipework replaced, all good stuff, and now because of antibiotics, he’s got thrush in the mouth (thought that was a vag thing) which means eating (one of his pleasures) is not all that it is cracked up to be. he’s now on tablets for that, what next for the poor fella?

He goes to Weston Park for a shot of radiotherapy this forthcoming Tuesday - i suppose this is to try and relieve the pain on his bottom and enable him to sit more comfortably and use his legsagain.

At last the web site http://www.silken-touch.com is live, just needs some minor changes, but we are last able to open our doors to trade.

I have found myself getting more upbeat of late despite the condition of my father. The watershed was with Barry, he gave me some faith in myself and a realisation that I do have a place on this planet.  Thanks Baz.

By contrast 2009 will be my year.  I have a french property venture to sort out, I have a silk duvet business to get going, I have other irons in the fire, which should make for an interesting year, unfortunatley on the down side, will my dad be there to see it?

Greg’s off playing soldiers every Thursday - “bang bang your dead” he tells me how they have to shoot people!  Oh my gosh, at least the camouflage hides where he hasn’t washed, he’s got an excuse now lol!

The rest are here there and everywhere…….I should be in Berlin in Feb, NYC in March…..all student related.

Posted in kids, dad | 1 Comment »

01/12/2008 by Russell.

Cor blimey!

Its all downhill to Christmas, have already seen snow and ice, which is a bit of a rareity before Christmas.
Whats been happenin?

Been to London, HRH was out, had to pull my blog on my tv appearance on Eggheads.  The prog is to be aired in March 2009,  suffice to say I played like a turnip and apart from that I contravened my confidentiality statement..can see me on  facebook though lol!

My boys team have only won twice this season, and we are losing 8-6, or 7-5, 0r 6-4, we are so close to many victories, but can’t turn such performances into wins.

Greg is now so keen on shooting he’s off to joing the army cadets - oh my goodness, we had to go ‘cherche’  a bullet down Portobello Road market.  So we came up with an AK47 round. (Not live), and found Banksy pic for Emily’s boyfriend.

Not seen much of United this season, have seen Champions League and an odd league game, so hopefully will get across to see them play Sunderland with Bazil.

My Dad, is now in his third month in a Nursing Home in Clay cross, to be honest it smells, they have had a change of ownership, and it really isn’t my cup of tea, but for my Dad its the safest place for him with all his bladder-kidney-legs-cancer etc.  He is making a fist of it.  It is like a death camp, except no-one knows when the executioner will arrive. No-one leaves except my dad on his zimmer to get out and about.  He has to be out, there is no social interaction, no-one able to be communicate or share a game of cards or even Uno.

he puts on a brave face, Brenda  had to regain her sanity, but my dad wouldn’t be where he is now without Brenda’s efforts. i am just a visitor into his life.

Phillip is out there doing stuff when he can, been to Amsterdam on busines already..but does Accountancy grab him?

Then there is me, work, work and a flipin knee ligament injury for 3 weeks. Hobble hobble, no 5 a -side i guess until after Christmas..bck to where I started.

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25/09/2008 by Russell.

Not written for a while, must get in the swing of things. I really don’t know who’s reading this blurb.

Kirsten successfully passed her driving test at the end of August, and have got her some wheels - diesel peugeot 106 to scoot about in.  I know nothing other than she has a boyfriend went to Greece and probably got drunk in Bournemouth recently.

Our boys football season is under way, lost our first match with only 9 men - wasn’t planned, but got back to winning ways with a 5-4 victory against Gerrards Cross.  We play Aylesbury this Sunday, could be quite a game.  Gregory is one of the few who can pick out a pass, which is pleasing.

What am I doing tonight? birthday treats are not on the agenda. I am working this evening (why me eh?) but no worries, getting long in the tooth to worry about the years whistling by.

Still trekking up to Old Trafford, not been a great start, have only seen them play once so far.

On a much sadder note, have had to arrange for my father to go into a nursing home in Clay Cross, Derbyshire. Cancer, kidney what will it be? he is being awfully brave and is coping whatever mother nature puts in his way with admirable courage.  This will be a strong fight against the odds over the coming months. If I have an aim for him it would be to reach his 80th birthday in December.  I am up and down every weekend to visit him and take him out when he is well enough.  Even more galling emily and kirsten will not share his birthday as they will be in Switzerland.

Phillip was awarded a 2:1 for his degree at Manchester, got the photograph and nowt else.  He is working at ICI in Slough which is a great start for him and hope he finds his feet there.

Greetings received from Peter today and Captain, wonder whats on the doorstep when I get back?

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