A Moment In Time

24/06/2026

FLY HIGH TONIGHT MICK EMANUELE
He came among us, he soared and he truly conquered.

The king of hospitality and godfather of musical tribute was laid to rest at Oaston Road cemetery, Nuneaton, after a service of celebration of his life at the town’s Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.

It was truly the honour of mine and Petrina’s lives to have been able to call Mick a friend of ours.

His passing has left a yawning gap that will never be filled as his presence on Earth has been taken away from us.

His family, friends and the town gave him the best of send-offs.

I was blessed with the privilege of telling his final life story .

I hope The Greatest Story Ever Told did the magnificent man justice.

Farewell Mick Emanuele — a man of many titles and a definite prince of the people you so royally served for 75 years.

For The Good Times We Thank You.

Fly high tonight . . .

14/06/2026

TRIBUTE DATE FOR ‘GODFATHER OF TRIBUTE’
The family of La Tavola Calda legend Mick Emanuele has announced details of his funeral which will be held later this month.

His service is on Tuesday June 23 at 1pm at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church on Coton Road, Nuneaton followed by interment at the town’s Oaston Road cemetery.

The celebration of his life will continue at Oakridge Golf Club, Arley.

Let’s give the great man, the greatest of send-offs.

And let’s fill the coffers of Mick’s nominated charity, the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, by following this link
https://micheleemanuele.muchloved.com/

14/06/2026

‘BOB OF THE BORO’
The funeral of lifelong Nuneaton Borough fan Bob Deeming takes place this week.

The Boro supporter followed the club home and away for decades, through its ups and downs and number of name changes.

His family has contacted the club to invite fans who knew him to his funeral which is on Monday June 15 at 12:30pm at the Heart of England Crematorium, Nuneaton.

As a mark of respect, mourners have been asked to wear something connected with Boro’s famous blue and white colours.

12/06/2026

Ronald (Ron) Leslie Parfitt
September 25, 1934-May 25, 2026
Following the recent sad news of Ron’s death, the family has confirmed the details of his funeral which will be at Charter Chapel, Canley Crematorium on Tuesday June 16 at 3.15pm.

The celebration of his life will follow afterwards at Coventry Hearsall Golf Club. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron’s memory can be made to The Myton Hospices & Alzheimer’s Society.

05/05/2026

A MOMENT OF YOUR TIME PLEASE
Can you spare 60 seconds of your time to read this please?

Next week I’m taking part in the Climbing Snowdon for Young Futures challenge to raise money for The Flourish Project, a UK charity that helps children and young people build confidence, resilience and self-belief before they reach crisis point.

Along with grandson Luke, I’ll be joining 40 or so like-minded people on Friday, May 15 making a pilgrimage up the Miners’ Path to the top of Snowdon to try to raise £4,000 for the Heart of British Business’s nominated charity.

Right now, ONE in FIVE young people aged 5–16 is facing a probable mental health disorder. Self-esteem is at an all-time low, and many young people are struggling with anxiety, negative thinking and uncertainty about their future.

The Flourish Project works differently by focusing on prevention, training trusted adults in schools and community settings to deliver a mental wellbeing programme that helps young people.

This year around 3,000 children and young people will be supported through the project.

As a foster parent since 2020, I’m climbing Snowdon because I believe every young person has value, potential and a future worth investing in.

I believe in backing the next generation, and that’s why I’m taking on Snowdon!
Your sponsorship would help The Flourish Project continue supporting young people before their struggles become a crisis.

Please sponsor me if you can, as every donation no matter how small will help another young person to flourish.

If you’d like to support this incredible cause, you can donate here by following this link:
🔗 https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/climbingsnowdonforyoungfutures

If you are able to donate, please add the note ‘Good Luck Nick’ with the donation so it identifies you as my friend or relative giving to this wonderful cause.

Thank you for at least reaching this point in my post. You’ve already made a difference.

FOOTNOTE: I will be posting regularly between now and May 15 as I have taken the challenge seriously enough to embark on a training schedule for the last month.

Climbing Snowdon for Young Futures

17/02/2026

PLAY UP AND PLAY THE GAME
It’s officially the oldest example in the world — dating back to the end of the 12th century when bad King John sat on the English throne.

The appeal stretches across the globe with the New York Times giving the 826th Shrove Tuesday outing star billing.

Today, around 3pm, Steve Matthews will start the 826th outing of the Atherstone Ball Game.

Two hours later the no-holds-barred event, with the one proviso that you don’t kill anyone, will be over for another year — and the person holding the ball declared the winner.

The event continues to enjoy the patronage of M G Evans & Sons Family Funeral Directors, the town’s funeral directors associated with the area since 1969.

12/02/2026

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF KAREN BERRY-HART
Family and friends will gather at the Heart of England Crematorium, Nuneaton, tomorrow to celebrate the gloriously rich life and caring times of Karen Berry-Hart.

The retired Nuneaton Careers officer died on New Year's Day. Her service is on Friday February 13 at 11am followed by a continuation of sharing treasured memories at Ambleside Sports Club, The Pavilion, Ambleside Way, Nuneaton CV11 6AT.

For anyone who would like to attend but is unable to do so in person, the service will be live streamed on https://watch.obitus.com (username felo8784, password 821686).

Contributions to her chosen charity – The MSA Trust in support of others living with Multiple System Atrophy.– can be made at the service, at the Ambleside club or directly to https://karenberry-hart.muchloved.com

31/12/2025

A MOMENT TO REMEMBER: MELVYN GWYN EVANS
It is 17 years this week since the passing of West Midlands funeral director Melvyn Gwyn Evans.

Relatives and staff at M G Evans & Sons Family Funeral Directors which serves the communities of Atherstone, Coleshill, Nuneaton and Tamworth say not a day goes by “where what he started isn’t remembered by any of us”.

Back in 1969, Mr Evans took a huge gamble by leaving his native Wales – bringing wife Doreen and his young family to the area.

He risked everything to try to build a better life for them, by starting a family business from the ground up.

The M G Evans & Sons social media post added: “He was a man who took no days off, doing absolutely everything he could to make it work, no matter the hours or the pressure.

“His determination laid the foundations for everything our family has continued to build today.”

The founding father of the funeral business died on December 28, 2008, aged 83. The celebration of his life was held on January 3, 2009 at St Mary’s Church, Atherstone, followed by interment in Atherstone Cemetery.