2018

2018 was a milestone year for some of the team at A.B. Walker, with four of us including Julian Walker celebrating our 50^th birthdays.

Julian, whose daughter Georgie celebrated her 16^th birthday in the same year, had a celebratory dinner and also a family lunch.

A.B. Walker is run by the fifth generation of the family.

‘I realise that age is only a number,’ says Julian.

‘I’m looking forward to making every day count that little bit more and to keeping on putting myself forward to do things including sporting challenges and local volunteering.’ In 2017 Julian cycled from London to Paris in just four days, in a bid to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

Thatcham Funeral Administrator Carolyn Tuttle, who celebrated her 50^th birthday in 2018, spends her spare time coaching at Burghfield Football Club and she loves it.

Funeral Conductor Mark Hatch celebrated his 50^th birthday in New York with his wife. He enjoys cycling and walking in his spare time.

Funeral Conductor Simon Fox also celebrated his 50^th with an Elvis themed party.

Nora Edwards celebrated her 100^th birthday in style - with two parties. For Nora life has been about living, and she has always been on the go. At the age of 88 she was still volunteering.

‘You only live once,’ she says. And she doesn’t worry about dying. ‘If it happens, it happens,’ she says. ‘We’ve all got to go at some time.’

It was a relief for Nora when she took out her funeral plan in 2010. ‘I didn’t want anyone else to have any worries,’ she says. ‘I wanted to leave things tidy. I thought it was my responsibility. I just wanted everything done.’

Nora is a widow. Her only child, a daughter, died in 1978 when she was 34 years old. Nora’s grandson lives in Scotland and they are very close.

She has decided she wants to be cremated and for her ashes to be scattered. She wants the wind to blow them away.

As for music, that has to be the ABBA song ‘Dancing Queen.’ I love ABBA she says. I want the people who go to the funeral to go out to that song. I want them to go out happy.’

Nora has led a busy life. ‘I like people,’ she says.’ I have always been urged on to work. I have always wanted to get out and do something.’

She worked in a fashion showroom and in an office. She is a former volunteer for Victim Support and at the age of 79 she started volunteering at the Duchess of Kent Hospice.

It was while she was there that she went on a visit to A.B. Walker. She was impressed by their courtesy and found the team professional and caring. ‘They deal with you so nicely,’ she says.

She didn’t consider going to anyone else when it came to planning her funeral.

Meanwhile she is getting on with life and feels fortunate to have reached the age of 100. She says in her mind she feels no different to the way she felt 30 years ago. She still wants to do the things she did then.

A.B. Walker has become one of the sponsors of Burghfield Football Club Saturday Mens.  We have bought warm up hoodies and warm up T shirts for the team.

Our Funeral Administrator in Thatcham, Carolyn Tuttle coaches the Saturday Mens team with Barrie Awbery. Carolyn also coaches the under fours and Walking Mens/Womens Football.

‘I think the sponsorship is brilliant,’ she says. ‘It really does benefit Saturday Mens. When we warm up on match days the men are normally just in a T shirt, which is absolutely freezing in winter. Now they can wear warmer hoodies thanks to A.B. Walker.’

Established in 1989, Burghfield Football Club is an FA Charter Standard Club with over 400 members consisting of boys and girls from aged 3 to adults. The Saturday Mens team have been promoted and are in the Thames Valley Premier League.

Carolyn has been part of the team here at A.B. Walker for the last 15 years.

Her brother David Tuttle used to play for Tottenham Hotspur and she has been interested in football ever since she was a teenager. She has fond memories of trips to White Hart Lane.

Carolyn, who lives in Burghfield, now spends her spare time coaching at Burghfield Football Club. And she loves it. ‘It brings everyone together,’ she says.

Thank you to everyone who attended our Afternoon Tea at our Wokingham branch in aid of Breast Cancer Care.

Your kind support means Breast Cancer Care can be there for more people affected by breast cancer. Their team of specialist nurses and experienced helpline staff are experts in breast cancer, providing practical information and the chance to talk to someone who understands.

Throughout June and July A. B. Walker were pleased to continue our support for the Henley Bowls Club and Palmer Park Bowls Club Gala Days.

Both events were well attended and a good time was had by all despite the blistering heat.

Palmer Park Club were the winners for the Henley Bowls Club Gala Day with Woodley A taking the winning position for the Palmer Park Club Gala Day.

Well done to all those who attended and a special thank you to all the club members who made us feel very welcome.