http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9268988/London-2012-Olympics-David-Beckham-and-Princess-Anne-to-help-bring-Olympic-flame-from-Athens-to-UK.html
London 2012’s own Posh and Becks received the Olympic flame yesterday to bring it back to the UK, David Beckham joined the Princess Royal at the official handover ceremony in Athens
http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/victims-funerals-held-cathedral/story-16096583-detail/story.html
The six young victims of a tragic house fire in Allerton, Derbyshire are to have their funeral held in Derby Catherdral with six horse-drawn hearses.
A B Walker and Son Limited are at the Broad Street Mall today (Tuesday 15th May) for advice on prepaid funeral plans. Our friendly conductor James Hall will be there. If you cant make it today, we will be at Newbury Council Chambers 2-4pm on Wednesday (16th May) and on Friday (18th May) at Wokingham Town Council 2-4pm Plan for the future!!
http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/news.php?tabp=y&id=37467
After a decade of campaigning the New Townlands Hospital in Henley has been unveiled, the £8.7 million project is due for completion in 2014.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/torch-relay/9256484/London-2012-Olympics-torch-begins-its-journey-to-London-following-lighting-ceremony-in-Olympia.html
The Olympic Torch begins it epic journey to London today, and is due to be in and around Reading and Henley in July. @walkerfunerals are proud sponsors of @chrismears93, Team GB diving hopeful.
Reading Football Club (Legends) are playing Luther Blissett’s Celebrities United at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday 3rd June 2012 raising money for the Duchess of Kent House charity.
Celebrities include:
Graeme Murty • Michael Gilkes • Mick Gooding
Chris Allen• Neville Roach • Martyn Williams
Ady Williams • Jeff Brazier • Jamie Lawrence
Iwan Thomas • Spoony • Ralf Little • Micah Hyde
George Friel, an ex-Royal, and married to our very own Funeral Administrator, Debbie Friel, is managing the team and helping with the organisation of these charity games. Advance tickets are £7.00 for Adults and £3.00 for Under 16s. See link below to buy tickets.
http://www.readingarts.com/othervenues/whatson/event.asp?id=SX145D-A7820077
http://www.wokinghambikeathon.co.uk/
The Wokingham Bikeathon takes place on Sunday 24th June 2012, starting at 9.45am from the Car Park of Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1BN, signing in opens at 8.45am and closes at 10.45am.
There are two events, one 35 mile cycle ride and another 15 mile cycle ride.
Over 200 people have signed up so far!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/london-marathon/9241238/Claire-Squires-funeral-London-Marathon-runner-was-extraordinary.html
Hundreds of people attended a funeral on Wednesday to pay their respects to Claire Squires, the deceased runner who was described as having "left a legacy" after her supporters raised more than £1 million for charity following her death during the London Marathon. A B Walker send their deepest sympathies to all her family and friends.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/duran-duran-and-snow-patrol-to-play-olympic-games-opening-concert-7703467.html
All at A B Walker are delighted to hear that Duran Duran are to play at the opening ceremony for the Olympics this summer. We are sponsoring Chris Mears in his bid for an Olympic Gold for Diving. Wishing Chris, and all the athletes in Team GB, the very best of luck.
It is so very sad to see the following article in the Financial Times about army funerals bringing home the reality of war
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/21a2c238-92df-11e1-aa60-00144feab49a.html#axzz1thZhLq3b
Super-modern solar panels are reducing the carbon footprint and raising money for St Mary the Virgin Church in Henley-on-Thames.
The 38 panels will deliver up to 9.5kw of electricity for lighting up the church, which is used by about 3,000 people each year. Because the church is close to the bridge in Henley, which is known as a landmark historic feature, the panels have been carefully placed so that they do not spoil the view. The panels will reduce the carbon footprint of the church by some 20%, whilst the revenue from the surplus energy will contribute to the maintenance of the building.
The Rector, Canon Martyn Griffiths said: "This really is a win-win-win situation; the carbon footprint of the church will be reduced and this will contribute to our care for creation. The surplus energy produced will help to fund the continuing maintenance and development of this 800-year-old church and the local historical heritage".
Chris Mears and his partner Nick finished the World Series in Mexico with a silver medal in the 3m syncro event. This is Chris’s first ever World Series medal and it was a Personal Best score for the boys.
On Friday 20th April Julian joined friends, supporters of donors of the Sue Ryder Hospice in Nettlebed for the first planting of the memorial woodland in Henley. The planting was celebrated by a release of balloons after which the Henley mayor, Pamela Phillips read a poem.
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A B Walker and Son Limited are sponsoring Chris Mears in his bid for Olympic Gold this summer. Chris recently took a"tour" of the A B Walker Branches in (see below clockwise starting top left) Reading, Bracknell and Wokingham where he was warmly welcomed by our team. We all wish you the very best of luck for London 2012 Chris!
A massive congratulations from all the staff at A B walker to our Funeral Director, Tony Grimshaw, who has now passed his National Association of Funeral Director's Diploma. Well done Tony!
A B Walker & Son Limited celebrate Reading FCs deserved promotion to Premier football next season!
In recognition of The Royals fantastic achievement, one of Reading’s oldest family business hoisted their own RFC flag at the Head Office in Eldon Road Reading to mark the occasion.
All at A B Walker wish The Royals all the very best for next season!
A B Walker and Son Limited offer their warmest congratulations to Reading Football Club who have gained automatic promotion to the Premiership for next season. Well done Mr McDermott and Sir John!
The Lord Lieutenant of Royal Berkshire, The Hon Mrs Mary Bayliss JP formally opened the offices in Thatcham followed by a blessing from The Revd. Mark Bennet.
Mr and Mrs Kent, who lost their son Jonny in January, aged just 18 years old, were in attendance to release some doves in his memory alongside Nicola Walker who released some doves in memory of her Aunt, who died the day before the formal opening.
Over 40 guests attended the occasion and it gave the A B Walker team a chance to meet such people as the cemetery managers, crematorium staff, council and local bank staff as well as several members of the clergy. away from the pressures of funeral bookings
Julian Walker gave a short speech and Cynthia Townley, The A B Walker General Manager,and her team worked hard to make the day a success.
Melissa Walker (pictured) led A B Walker's first prayer group meeting today, which was well attended by a quarter of the staff. The group has been set up to provide a spiritual dimension for employees particularly in light of the nature of our work. This morning's meeting produced some lively discussion on the theme of facing up to life's difficult issues followed by prayers for the A B Walker team, their families and the bereaved.
A B Walker and Son Limited are delighted to welcome two new members to our Team. Our new "afternoon" receptionist is Penny Hajinicolas, and Andrew Weston has joined us as a bearer.
Welcome Penny and Andrew to the AB Walker Team!!
Jack Laugher and Chris Mears impressed for the British Gas GBR Diving Team as they reached the 3m Springboard semi-final on the second day of the FINA Diving World Cup at London Aquatics Centre. Please see link below for more details about our Olympic hopeful.
Wokingham Registrars Office are holding an Open Day this Saturday 3rd March 2012. A B Walker will be hosting a stall there between 10am and 1pm, please feel free to drop by and say hello to us.
Chris Mears, our olympic hopeful for 2012, and his partner Nick had a good day at the office yesterday. They qualified for the final of the 3M Synchro, although they dropped a few points in the early two rounds of required dives, they managed to claw their way back from 12th to 8th with one round to go. This last round was the big tariff dive but last night it didn’t come off so they finished 10th in the end. Still, they will look at this and be comforted by the fact that had they landed it they would have been in the mix for 3rd to 6th spot.
Fees for Church of England Weddings are to increase by 40% and the cost of a funeral service by more than 50%. Church members have voted to raise the cost of a wedding from £296 to £415 and for a funeral service the cost will go up from £102 to £160 from January next year.
For the second year in a row A B Walker & Son Limited have been awarded “Golden Charter Funeral Planner of the Year in the South West and South of England Region.” Our thanks go to the whole of the A B Walker Team for all their hard work
This year we are the proud sponsors of Chris Mears, a young British athlete who is hoping to dive at the London 2012 Olympic Games. We're delighted to hear that Chris is making excellent progress and his training is going well. In a recent letter to us Chris wrote:
"Firstly a quick update on the national cup that took place in January; I placed 2nd qualifying for the world cup. The score I posted was 35 points above my personal best. It would also have placed me 8th at the world championships in shanghai last year, so all is looking good for the world cup!"
To read the full letter and learn more about Chirs Mears and how you can help us to support him, please visit our current sponsorship page.
The formal opening of our Thatcham Branch will take place on Thursday 22nd March 2012, more details to follow so watch this space!
Chris Mears, who A B Walker & Son Limited are currently supporting for 2012, has recently recorded a TV interview with Meridian News which is due to go out on the 16th February during the early evening news programme. The Meridian News website can be found here.
The snowy weather that has prevailed so far in February has failed to disrupt any funeral services. The significant snowfalls fo the past two yars have prompted a review of our business continuity planning. Thankfully this last snowfall was nowhere near as long loasting but our winter vehicle measures and snow clearing equipment has been moved ready for action!
Starting on BBC1 tonight (Tuesday 7th February 2012) is a new three part series called "Death Unexplained". This series explores the work of the coroner and the part played by all those investigating sudden death. Sounds very interesting and definitely worth tuning in to!
