Happy birthday Aunty Joan xxx

To my Grandma Joan, I will always remember our Sundays that we spent with you. Whether we where playing in the garden on the sunnier days, and having tea in the Summer House, or having a roast dinner in the dining room, I can still remember the smell of lunch and see us all sitting there, Dad wth his spitfire beer mug and me and Will with our patterned cups, the sound of the clock chiming on the mantelpiece. I used to help you butter the rolls for tea and put the cakes out on the plates and you’d always make us a treat, whether it be your famous trifle or spotted dick. Dad would do the crossword and we would read the books, or get out the miniature farm or toy cars that used to live under the chair in the dining room. I will not forget the many times when we were older that you would visit our house and share a meal with us, you’d listen while I practiced my flute and sing along when I played Edelweiss. We’d try to introduce you to our favourite films, but really you always preferred your classics that we would watch after dinner on a Sunday afternoon. Many an afternoon was spent in The Dolphin in Hursley where we frequented so often that they started to expect us there, and many a birthday and Christmas shared too; we will never forget when you put the little red cocktail umbrella in your hair and then wore it all afternoon! I will treasure these memories always, and whenever I see Poppies I will think of you. With lots of love Kathryn xxx

Great Aunt Joan, I'll never forget indoor fireworks at high tea, and watching worlds strongest man at your house at Christmas time as a child, still watching it every Christmas over 30 years later! And those little cardboard theatre packs you would buy me, and you and grandma sat through all my shows in your front room, I say sat, but often you both dozed!! ❤ Thinking of those that loved you with fond memories, Hannah xxx