Some August Luton Hoo shots…

It has been a busy time for various reasons and I somehow managed to miss a few shots on a card, but rather than lose them from the galleries, I have just put them up today, they were taken on the 19th August and showed just how much grew after the rains and a few warm nights.

Sadly, it has also been a time for deaths and funerals. My mother in law's much-loved half-brother, Derick Holden, known to all in the family as Deck, died after several year's of dementia and life in a Nursing Home. Uncle Deck was very talented before his illness, putting his hand to anything with great skill and diligence. Despite no upholstery training, he took on the restoration of a Chesterfield sofa, which is still in use today. He sang in various groups in the Southport area, and played the ukelele-banjo and piano. The family travelled from all points of the compass to celebrate his life, as well as lament the tragedy of his last years. My niece and nephew were back from India and the Mediterranean, so all was not gloom.

However I also learnt that a long-time friend and erstwhile client, Nick Zoller had taken his life, we presume due to depression caused by rejection of his novels and plays by publishers. Once again, here was a very talented man with whom I had a longstanding working relationship and friendship over thirty years.

Last week I also lost another designer friend to a massive heart attack, probably brought on by stress. I had known and worked with him for over twenty years, so the loss has come as a blow, especially since I had spoken to him after what he described as a possible heart attack on the Friday, and then when his phone was answered by his sister, I learnt he had succumbed a second attack on the Monday. Mike Halycz was one of those for whom work was his life, and he took it very seriously. Even though I have not worked for him for some time, hardly a week would go by without our having a chat.

In Mike's case, there was so much he intended doing which I had suggested he start on, and now he it will never happen, that fills me with great sorrow.