For it matters not, how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash,

What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard; Are there things you would like to change?

For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough to consider what is true and real

and always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more

and love the people in our lives like we have never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile,

Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash…

Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?

On Friday 11th February 2011 the funeral of Russell Thake, aged 36 years, took place at St Mary's Church. Russell had passed away peacefully after a long and bravely fought illness at the Royal London Hospital on 26th January, aged 36 years.

An avid football fan, particularly of his beloved Liverpool FC, it had been his wish that the theme of his funeral should be around Liverpool club and that everyone should wear red and amusing ties rather than traditional black.

Russell arrived at the full church to a recording of 'You'll never walk alone" by Gerry and The Pacemakers. The Rev. Gary Townsend welcomed everyone and during a very moving service talked about Russell's courage in facing his illness which had been first diagnosed when he was 16. He outlined Russell's life, his school and university days and his degree in CAD technology. He paid particular emphasis on his fund raising activities for 'Kisses4Kids,' for a scanner at Queens Hospital Romford and for cancer charities. He also read two poems one of which is replicated as follows.
'After Glow'
by Helen Lowrie Marshall

I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an after glow of smiles when life is done,
I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times & laughing times & bright summer days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun,
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

Received from the family 17th February 2011

To the people of Henham

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone in the village who helped make the very sad occasion of Russell's funeral so much easier for us.

We know that so many people worked so hard to ensure everything went smoothly and we can only thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It meant so much.

Doreen, Tom, Adrian and Jo.

He had lived in Elsenham for most of his life and will be best remembered to the residents of Elsenham and Henham until relatively recently as the 'oldest paper boy in the business'. He will be sadly missed by his many friends in both villages. Ron, who had not enjoyed good health over the last few years, was very interested in local history, had a broad depth of general knowledge and loved all forms of dancing for which he won many trophies and awards. He also had a passion for music, particularly country and western music and rock and roll. I didn't know that he was keen on choir singing until shortly before his death.

I took him one Christmas time for an afternoon and evening to the world-famous choir at 15th century King's College, Cambridge. His vigour, choral experience, happiness and immaculately-dressed - he was something to witness. (Ray Gaubert)

Following the service Ron was buried in Elsenham Churchyard not far away from the grave of his parents.

A second tribute was paid by Mr. Geoff Wheatcroft who talked about Ted's very active role as a member of Harlow Round Table and 41 Club and said he was 'totally committed' to every office he undertook. He stated Ted was also a very enthusiastic member of The Caravan Club and had been the prime organiser of a number of rallies. He described him as 'the master of the windup.' Ted and Doreen had been avid 'caravaners' and had travelled all over the UK with a particular love for Scotland.
After the service a good majority of those present adjourned to The Cock, where Ted had spent many happy hours, particularly for the weekly winter quizzes.

To try and sum up all the nice things said about Ted at the service and afterwards would be impossible, but to Doreen and family it must have been a great comfort at a time of sadness to appreciate how much the life of Ted Stanley had impacted positively on all who knew him and who unanimously thought of him as a 'lovely' man.

8th February

I would like to thank the residents of Henham, many of whom I met in The Cock Inn after the memorial service for their comforting words and undoubting love and respect for such a special man.

Ted will be very sadly missed by all who knew him.

Kind regards, Angus Swanson (Ted's nephew)

He was my closest daily friend - Ray Gaubert

On Friday 13th August 2004 Tony was cremated at Cambridge Crematorium. This service was attended by family and immediate friends.

Later, at 3.00pm Tony's family and many friends gathered at St Mary the Virgin Church at Henham for a thanksgiving for his life.

The proceedings were lead by the Rev. Dick Farr and 'recollections' were given by Joy Lafferty, John Collard and Ken Sammons.

Joy said how honoured she was to be asked to talk about Tony and how equally honoured she was to have been counted as a friend. She spoke about his family, his friends and his faith.

John Collard, a friend for many years talked fondly about the young Tony, especially about his cricket and badminton at Blindley Heath in Surrey and their trips together to Twickenham to watch England.

He summed him up as a 'Christian Gentleman and a very good friend.'

Ken Sammons spoke of the Tony of Henham, his career as an accountant/financial director in commerce and told a number of amusing anecdotes, including how Tony was given the nickname 'Brush'. He said that throughout his illness Tony never complained and added how much Pat was to be admired in the way she had coped in the last very difficult months. Brush will be sadly missed.

Today (Thursday 20th December 2007) I attended the funeral service at St Mary's for Colin Smales, a Henham resident for many years. The church, as to be expected, was packed. A very impressive reading from Dylan Thomas was given by Bill Griffiths-Jones and tributes by Alastair Eadie and Colin's two son's Jonathon and Tim. These tributes were both moving and funny.

Reverend John Richardson, who conducted the service asked the congregation to each 'picture the Colin that you knew'. My wife Jill and I mostly knew Colin from his voluntary help in the village shop. We live next to the shop and perhaps Colin was not the best 'parker' of a car I have ever seen. Indeed unless there was at least a three car length gap outside the shop for him to get into he would park across my drive at an angle of about 45 degrees. If he saw me he would try to look innocent as if he hadn't realised what he was doing and apologise profusely. It became a game and he would do it deliberately to wind me up. In the summer when he was on shop duty he would often take a chair outside and sit sunning himself whilst reading a book. Any customer having the audacity to want to buy something would be moaned at (with a twinkle in his eye) for interrupting him and making him get out of his chair. That was the Colin I will remember.

She was also very fond of photography and the village is very lucky to have her extensive collection of old Henham photographs and postcards.

Mr. Neil Pimblett then read out a further tribute from Dr. Tom Pimblett in Canada (Betty's brother who had not been well enough to travel).

The service then continued in the churchyard where Betty was buried in the family grave.

Although the last years of her life had been away from Henham in a care home in Stansted she will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.

A celebration of his life, conducted by the Rev. Gary Townsend, took place at St Mary the Virgin Church, Henham on Wednesday 28th March before a packed congregation of family and friends.

Barry was then interred at Henham Cemetery.

Prolonged refreshments were taken at The Cock Public House.


left: Baron Hardup in 1993

"It was Pa’s total commitment to the importance of family that directed the course of our lives."

"When Ma and Pa used to take me horse riding with them and I would sit on the saddle in front of Pa with my red 'wellies' tucked in his pockets, feeling safe, secure and warm - protected and loved by the rock that he always was for me."

"He taught me the importance of preparation and research, always to list the pros and cons, to find the fair way, to respect and value the views of others, to brainstorm - to make the best decisions you can and definitely not to commit the sin of splitting infinitives."

"He was the wise, good and loving man, who I knew would always be there for me and Ma. He only ever expected me to do my best, he never judged me, but taught me to learn from my mistakes, and apologise when necessary, in order to grow."

"I am sure I am not the only one who considers him the best letter-writer in existence!! "

"His love of opera, particularly Giuseppe Verdi."

"His other great passion of course, was cricket and I know some of you will join me in remembering him in his whites, gleefully striding along - bat in hand - totally focussed on the job to be done."

"His work ethic was the same as his life ethic. He was a true gentleman, always polite and with a high respect for others and their ways, and I remember in South Africa he tried to learn Zulu so that he could talk with the workers and although they all found it highly amusing, they appreciated his attempts with what is a very difficult language."

"And of course to the Henham Players. He was well known as Baron Hardup and Sherlock Holmes and I know we all appreciated the special gifts he brought to all of those endeavours."