George Taylor R.I.P.

On Thursday 18th July, we met at Forest Road Crematorium to say goodbye to our dear friend George Taylor. It was really nice to see that so many of the club turned out to pay their respects with the family to a fellow bowler who had been a loyal member and friend of St Chads for over 30 years. During the service one piece of music played was a beautiful rendition of "Memories" by Barbara Streisand and, to close, "Slow boat to China" which he apparently liked to sing. I never had the pleasure of bowling competitively with George (when I joined he had already given up outdoor bowling) but I understand he was a skip of few words but very direct hand signals, you knew what he wanted! My memories of George are only of the occasional outdoor roll-up where he would still take part if needed but mainly of the demon bowler on the short-mat who would simply step up with one foot on the mat and one behind the fender, put two woods on the jack and then sit down again for his pint with hardly ever a word said. I never did figure out how he did it but he left us speechless on many an occasion. Again, a man of few words who let his actions do the talking. The wake was at the bowling club and I think it's fair to say we celebrated George's life in style. The family laid on a very nice spread, much of which was done by one of George's grandson's who is a chef at Chelsea Football club, I think George would have been very pleased of how the day turned out. George is already very much missed by friends and family but our lives have been very much enriched by knowing him, however long or short. It's been a pleasure knowing him and if there such a thing as an after-life then I'm sure he is already playing bowls with Ernie, Ray and others from the club over past years! If anyone would like to add their own memories of George to this post then please send them to me, I'll be glad to add them. Bernard Secretary of St Chads Bowls Club.