from Will Evans

I have so many fond memories of my Uncle Graham. In fact I have only fond memories. He made me laugh. He made everyone laugh. As a child I always remember being excited to visit him, I knew there would always be good food, high volume discussions and stories and so much laughter….also there would often be an interesting adventure. In particular I remember him taking my dad and I out on a boat I think in Devon or Dorset. He’d always sounded quite the sailing expert to us so we were excited for him to take charge! Well….an hour or so later we never got the sail up, but he’d motor about taking a look at the other boats trying to work but to no avail. Rather than be embarrassed and upset I just remember he and my dad laughing and retreating to shore for a well earned beer and more laughter. I also remember him as a thespian and story teller, especially loving the stories that involved his and mum’s childhood or misguided adventures with his brothers. He was a fantastic Uncle both as a child and as an adult.

He was an even better brother. His love for my mum was incredible and their closeness so warming to observe and so appreciated by me when so often so far away. He would go so very far out of his way to take care of her and involve her and we had so many fantastic dinners and lunches together….accompanied with even more laughter!

Lastly, hope I’m not getting him in trouble here, but I’ve been recalling this story to a few people the past week or so…I remember going into Campden to eat with my parents one Friday evening at Badgers. This must have been around 1989. Much to the delight of my famously opinionated mother who of course did not approve of his being a vegetarian at the time, we found Uncle Graham snuck away in a quiet corner devouring a steak - and caught red handed he had the most mischievous grin and shrug of the shoulders followed by an eruption of laughter - as there always was around him. I will miss him greatly and remember him fondly.