OBITUARIES

[Stanley]

Which Jack Bradley? Surely not Jack with the dog and the pens at the bottom of Esp Lane? More info needed!

[David Whipp]

It is Jack Batley (not Bradley, surely?) who passed away on Thursday morning I think.

Jack is a Barlick character who'll be sorely missed. Jack was an acute observer and a mine of information on local issues. A keen poultryman and allotment holder, Jack has been a great vice-chairman of the allotments committee and very active in this role.

I always found Jack to be very personable, almost invariably happy, with a wry outlook giving a good chuckle at times. Jack had an energy that belied his years. Barnoldswick is a poorer place for his passing.

[Thomo]

This one has come as a shock, I was only talking to Jack and his wife last Saturday whilst cutting the hedge, we were talking about old schoolmates and how many were left.

[elise]

Sad, a wonderful man. He grew up on The Ranch at Earby.

[Stanley]

I saw him a few days ago in Butts as he was going for his paper. That's a shock and a loss. I'll miss him..... (Remember when they complained about his cockerel crowing at first light?)

[Stanley]

I had a word with one of my ladies this morning and she told me it's true, she has been told that Jack Batley died on Thursday of a heart attack. I saw him either the day before or on Tuesday as usual as he was walking up Butts from his pen to get the paper. His little scruffy dog that he rescued will miss him, somehow it was exactly the right dog for him and he soon brought it to after what was obviously years of abuse. I'm so sorry, but glad he didn't linger, evidently it was very sudden. I'll miss my early morning chats with him... Another bit of Old Barlick gone.

[Thomo]

More bad news concerning another well known local Man. Blackburn (Blackie) Holden died the week before last, the funeral taking place at Gisburn where he lived. I knew Blackie through my connections with Motor Cycling, he was one of the old gang, Pete Watson, Brian Humphfreys, Ed Spencer and Jim Broadhead were others. This morning I was thinking about Jack Batley and his final words to me as he and his wife went on their way. I was stood on the top of step ladders wielding my hedge trimmer, Jackie said "Be careful, your'e not that young any more" !!

[Stanley]

Eddie Spencer lived in my house and we had a long correspondence which formed a topic and articles on the old OG site. I'll look to see if any of it has survived.

[Stanley]

Eddie Spencer and Pete Watson racing at Brough.

[Tardis]

RIP Hugh Jackson, the paediatrician, who has died aged 95, campaigned to prevent injury in children, contributing to such causes as childproof packaging for medicines and the holes in pen lids, which saved scores of lives each year.

[Stanley]

Eddie Spencer at Cadwell Parkland

[Tripps]

Noel Harrison singer has died.
I remember him from the 'Tonight' TV programme in the 1950's, with Cliff Michelmore etc. Other singers included Cy Grant, Robin Hall and Jimmy McGregor. The farewell each evening was - "The next tonight will be tomorrow night"

[Wendyf]

I remember having a bit of a teenage crush on Noel Harrison when he was in "The Girl From Uncle".

[Tardis]

RIP Lou Reed, walking on the wild side now

[Tripps]

I'd never heard of him until today. Now I've just just seen a piece on Newsnight about him - looks like I've been very fortunate.

[Wendyf]

Doris Lessing died today aged 94.

[Tardis]

RIP Lieutenant-Colonel Eric Wakeling, who has died aged 93, had several narrow escapes from death in the course of his work as a bomb disposal officer.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituar ... tuary.html

[Tripps]

Ray Gosling TV personality, and maker of whimsical films. Call me naive, but I have his book "Homo Northwestus" but was surprised to find out many years later that he was a gay activist.

[Stanley]

I have to admit I was never a fan of Ray Gosling. His lugubrious and often pessimistic style didn't sit well with me. It didn't shock me when he went attention seeking and got caught doing it.

[Julie in Norfolk]

Personal one this: Geoffrey Stables, uncle. A lot to think about, but not to publicise. Died Thursday 21 Nov 2013.

[Stanley]

Commiserations Jules.... It does start you thinking doesn't it. We miss so many opportunities when they are still alive. I suppose that's part of the human condition.
I've always been aware of how much I don't know about my parents and that's why I wrote four volumes of Stanley's Story for my kids. At least they will know something about me!

[Julie in Norfolk]

Commiserations Jules.... It does start you thinking doesn't it. We miss so many opportunities when they are still alive. I suppose that's part of the human condition.
I've always been aware of how much I don't know about my parents and that's why I wrote four volumes of Stanley's Story for my kids. At least they will know something about me!

As usual Stanley, you have hit the said nail firmly upon its head.......

[Stanley]

I knew you'd understand Jules....

[Bruff]

The Rev John Graham died early today, aged 92.

He was 'Araucaria', one of The Guardian's crossword setters. For those who like the 'cryptics' (me, for one), he was a fiendish joy - I have never finished one of his. Lifted from reports, he revealed in a puzzle in January this year that he was dying of cancer, in a cryptic crossword clue that included a set of special instructions: "Araucaria has 18 down of the 19, which is being treated with 13 15".Those who solved the puzzle found the answer to 18 was cancer, to 19 oesophagus, and to 13 15 palliative care. The solutions to some of the other clues were: Macmillan, nurse, stent, endoscopy, and sunset.

Araucaria is the Latin for the Monkey Puzzle Tree. He compiled his first crossword for The Guardian in 1958

Richard Broughton

[Tardis]

RIP Lewis Collins