G Mannings Independent Funeral Directors

02/06/2026

This month we are spotlighting the flowers closely associated with June – the Rose and the Honeysuckle. These blooms brighten our days with the promise of Summer.

Red roses have been tied with romance and love for centuries, which is why they’re the popular choice for gifts on Valentine’s Day. Roses also bloom in a variety of colours and have come to symbolize a multitude of meanings. Altogether, along with their season, they represent the warmth of summer. The ancient Egyptians allegedly saw them as offerings to the Gods, symbolizing both love and death – some have even been found in tombs. The Romans used the flowers to decorate banquets and public spaces as well as make perfume. The Greeks associated Aphrodite, the Goddess of love, with roses as stories suggest stems grew from her tears and Adonis’s blood.

The honeysuckle symbolizes love, happiness and devotion. It has a sweet scent with colorful petals attracting pollinators like moths, butterflies and hummingbirds, making it a popular choice for gardens and bouquets. The blooms are recognized by their tubular, two-lipped flowers which bloom in pairs. Because of this, they are said to represent deep affection, with the clinging vines symbolizing the idea of two intertwined souls. In ancient Chinese medicine, the flower was used to treat fever, colds and inflammation.

We hope the blooms on display brighten your summer and commemorate those we have loved and lost this June.

11/05/2026

From the 11th May to the 17th is Mental Health Awareness Week. The Mental Health Foundation use this time to highlight the importance of mental health, offering information and guidance to us all, highlighting how we can help ourselves and those around us.

This year’s theme is action. The foundation encourages us to take any small step to improve our well-being. As a family business we know how debilitating loss can be. How it impacts you, your family, and your loved ones. Feelings of hopelessness are all too common in these times. Action, however small, can empower us to feel less alone and less out of control. There’s a myriad of ways to look after your mental health, such as walking, exercising, talking with your friends or family, taking up a new hobby, volunteering, journaling, seeking therapy, counselling, or medical advice from your GP.

Mental health can be such a daunting subject to talk about, it just takes one small step to better your well-being or provide support for another. Below is a list of links you may find helpful:

- https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week
- https://www.bathmind.org.uk/our-services/
Counselling Directory - Find a Counsellor Near You- https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/?msclkid=c7a1b4ac6ba516427bf2deadb655f924&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Key%20terms&utm_term=counselling&utm_content=Counselling
- https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/supporting-adults-live-independent-lives/social-leisure-and-learning/clubs-and-activities

06/05/2026

https://darrenhamilton.muchloved.com/

05/05/2026

This month’s window display honors the beautiful blooms of May – Lily of the Valley and Hawthorn. Together these plants remind us that summer is fast approaching, representing hope and renewal.

The lily of the valley is not actually a lily, but part of the asparagus family! It’s small, white, bell-shaped flowers have a strong sweet fragrance and can also produce pink or purple blooms. According to myth, the flower fell in love with the song of the nightingale and so, only bloomed when the bird returned to the woods in May. Because of this, the liley of the valley signifies a return to happiness, as well as it’s time of bloom, in the anticipation of Summer. It’s also the national flower of Finland!

The Hawthorn blooms in small white, red or pink clusters, sprouting small berries. Its leaves and fruit are edible and have been used for medicinal purposes for years, treating heart and blood diseases, chest pain and even high cholesterol. The fruit is an important source of food for birds in the winter. Its hawthorns also provide protection and nesting areas to keep birds safe from predators. Because of this, the hawthorn has stood as a symbol of hope.

It is essential we hold onto hope during times of loss. We hope these blooms and the promise of brighter summer days carry you through this May.

05/05/2026

https://leslievinson.muchloved.com/

30/04/2026

https://robert-withers.muchloved.com/

01/04/2026

This month’s window display celebrates the birth flowers of April – the Daisy and the Sweetpea. Who do these beautiful blooms remind you of?

The Daisy is actually made up of two flowers. The center eye is a collection of tiny florets, alongside the ray floret, the petals, which radiate from the center and resemble the sun. Because they are made up from two flowers, they have long symbolized true love. They also represent innocence and purity, with their name stemming from old English ‘‘day’s eye,” referencing the flower’s daily habits. Its petals open in the day and close at night. In Celtic legend, the Gods would cover children’s graves with daisies, to make the parents smile.

The Sweetpea is part of the Fabaceae family, making them related to beans and other legumes. However, they are considered toxic to humans and animals. Nevertheless, they carry an indulgent scent, likened to oranges, honey and jasmine. Because of this they have been worn in pockets to fragrance clothing. With their delicate petals, they are often associated with fragile beauty and appreciating the present moment. They are also said to represent goodbyes and farewells, wishing for prosperity and safe journeys.

Goodbyes are never easy, we know that more than most. Through appreciation and reflection, we can find solace. We are reminded of how precious each day is. We hope something as simple as appreciating daisies and sweetpeas do this for you.

20/03/2026

https://denzilkingman.muchloved.com/

Dedicated to the memory of Denzil Kingman

17/03/2026

On March 17, St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in honor of Ireland’s patron saint. St Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to the land in the 5th century. He was born in Britain to a Romanized family. When he was 16, raiders kidnapped him and carried him to slavery in Ireland, where he spent 6 brutal years as a herdsman. It was during this time that his faith was strengthened, leading him to flee from his enslavement and finding passage back to Britian. He then received a calling to return to Ireland some years later. He journeyed far and wide, baptizing and confirming the Christian faith for many. He is said to have used the shamrock to teach the faith, using the 3 leaves from a single stem as a representation of the Holy Trinity. It is also believed he performed many miracles. Famously, St Patrick is said to have driven all the snakes from Ireland and into the sea to their destruction.

Whatever you may be going through, may March offer some celebration and sense of renewal. Marking the start of Spring, new beginnings and brighter days.

15/03/2026

To all, we wish you Happy Mothering Sunday. Today honors the mothers and motherly figures in our lives. However that may look to you, through celebration or remembrance, our thoughts are with you and the wonderful women who have shaped us all.

Mother’s Day is celebrated in many different countries across the world and is also known as Mothers Day. This year, it falls on Sunday 15th March. It originated in the Middle Ages, where those that moved away would visit their home, families and ‘mother’ churches, on the fourth Sunday of the Christian festival of Lent.

In the US, Americans celebrate Mother’s Day, but on a different date. These origins are associated with Anna Jarvis, who, in 1907, held a private celebration in memory of her mother – Ann Reeves Jarvis. Anna had been a peace activist during the Civil War and organized Mother’s Day work clubs to improve health.

In the UK, it’s traditional to have Simnel cake on Mother’s Day – a fruit cake with layers of almond paste! Churches often hold Mothering Sunday services and give flowers to children, to give to their mothers.

We know these sorts of days can be difficult for many. For those that are without their loved ones, we send you support today. Whilst grief is individual to each person, there is such strength in sharing experiences, through talking. Whether you share a Spring walk, pick up the phone, or cozy up with a great film, there are a multitude of ways to honor this Mother’s Day.