Drovers Barn, Whitney-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR3 6EU, GB
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WHO'S A LUCKY BOY THEN?
It's quite an achievement entering one's 8th decade in one piece - relatively speaking - and still bouncing on the right side of Shakespeare's mortal coil. So it's only fitting that the occasion should be celebrated accordingly, and I am immensely grateful to my other half for putting on some glorious surprises. More about that as the festivities progress throughout my 'birthday season' but one special moment came just this very afternoon (Friday 31st May) here at the annual Hay-on-Wye literary festival and I am so chuffed by it all that I just had to share it here.
Professor Anthony Clifford ('AC') Grayling CBE FRSA FRSL is, to me, simply 'da man'. Yes, I know, other philosophers are available but there is something about his genial, almost avuncular style that barely conceals a piercing erudition and faultless progression through logical discourse (much of which may be equated with Voltaire's common sense that isn't quite so common) and which has captivated me from the beginning of my own quest for Aristotle's elusive 'eudaimonia' (just Google it).
The Professor writes about other stuff as well, and on this particular afternoon he was promoting his latest book Who Owns The Moon, a disturbing critique of what may come to pass when everyone wants a bit of it. Basically, if anyone thinks the likes of China, India or Russia - or even the USA and the UK - are spending billions up there simply to expand our understanding of the universe then your very own perch in cloud-cuckoo-land awaits. Rare minerals, essential to our modern way of life - here comes the new Gold Rush, folks. And the international punch-ups to go with it, should we not acknowledge the lessons from history and act right now.
If you've not heard of Prof. Grayling then let me suggest he is to contemporary philosophers what Hendrix was to rock music. IMHO, to put it in text-speak, anyone but anyone who has the remotest interest in pursuing philosophy must place Bertrand Russell's monumental History of Western Philosophy (1946) high on their list of required reading. IMHO (there's that text-speak again) Prof. Grayling is our Bertrand Russell for the 21st Century. In fact I told him as much, and he seemed genuinely touched by the compliment.
So, here I am (that's me on the left, by the way) having a book signed, chatting and shaking him warmly by the hand. And that's the difference between me and you, my loyal readers. Y'see, I have now shaken the hand of Professor A.C Grayling. And you ain't, so there. Ta-da! Happy birthday to me.
(Note to GF: you may have to edit this last paragraph a little bit so you don't come across as too smartypants - Ed)
posted 31.5.24
GF meets his philosophical mentor
SHEILA IRIS CHAPMAN: HER FINAL FAREWELL
'It's lovely to see you!' - Mrs C. (she would love you to pop along and say cheerio)
CHAPMAN (formerly Fisher)
Sheila Iris
07.02.1932 – 03.11.2022
Passed away at BUPA Leominster, aged 90 years
Beloved mother of Graham Fisher and mother-in-law to Mary
Valued friend and neighbour to many in Rhydspence and formerly Kingswinford
She will be greatly missed by us all.
Funeral to be held at Hereford Crematorium on Thursday 24th November 2022 at 10.15am
Reception to follow at The Rhydspence Inn HR3 6EU
Family flowers only please, donations if desired to: Llewellyn Ward, Bronllys Hospital,
c/o CC James Funeral Directors, Hengardd, Pontithel, Brecon LD3 0SA
www.CCJames.co.uk 01497 847410 info@ccjames.co.uk
IN MEMORIAM
It is with unimaginable sadness that Mary and I announce my dear mother Sheila Iris Chapman (formerly Fisher, née Roberts) died peacefully this morning (Thursday 3rd November 2022) following a period of illness. In February this year she rallied round and heartily celebrated her 90th birthday but thereafter her health deteriorated rapidly due to a combination of ailments and traumas that had arisen within the previous 18 months.
Mary and I would like to thank all family and friends who supported us in caring for her during this difficult time, and especially the Doctors, nurses and other services who assisted us in making her final months both comfortable and joyous.
Sheila Iris Chapman (formerly Fisher, née Roberts) was born in Wakefield, Yorkshire in 1932 to Harry and Kate Roberts and was the youngest of nine children, one of whom died at birth. Her early life was impoverished but she showed signs of great intelligence and was proficient in French by her early teens before she was obliged to leave school and find work.
She undertook National Service with the RAF and attained the rank of Corporal, in those times an achievement in itself for a female conscript. She met my father, the late Ronald Fisher (d. 1989), at Sutton Coldfield barracks where he was also undertaking his NS and they married in 1952 whereupon she moved to Ronald’s native Black Country. To help maintain a family comprising me as a young child and my chronically ill widowed paternal grandmother, she undertook a series of jobs ranging from factory worker to shop assistant before joining the local authority as a rent collector. Her special affinity with the elderly was recognised and she transferred to social services.
Her unimpeachable dedication was rewarded and at an age when many women of her era would have long retired she undertook formal qualifications that elevated her to the highest ranks of elderly social care. Her thesis ‘Who cares for the carers?’ gained distinction and was adopted as a model that is still cited today. She retired from local government after helping Ronald through terminal illness but briefly re-emerged in the private health-care sector before finally calling time in her early 60s.
Some years afterwards she met a friend of mine, Mervyn John Chapman, whom she married and together we all enjoyed almost two decades of happiness, albeit strewn with his chronic health problems before he, too, died in 2010 following a long illness. With just the three of us left as the core family unit Mary, mom and I decided on a new life and we relocated from the Black Country to the Welsh border in 2013 where she settled within the locale and the community as if to the Manor born. She has thus enjoyed almost a decade of rural tranquillity which she regularly reminded us was the best move she ever made as she entered her autumn years. She reflected on numerous occasions that although her own life-plans and ambitions had been curtailed by the need to care for others this was always more than compensated for by the love she received in return.
And how she was loved, not only by her family and friends but by everyone who met her. An infectious smile that instantly lit up any room, an innocent countenance and a generous disposition of spirit that bore no malice yet which all concealed a steely determination to live her life and get things done. Until recently she was still riding pillion on my motorbike and it was only on her 90th birthday she decided, with reluctance, to cancel her gym membership. True grit.
As Sheila embarks on her journey into her next world she may just glance back and see what a gaping unfillable hole she has left though so many hearts in this one. Especially mine and Mary’s. Bye bye, mom. It’s been a blast.
Sheila Iris Chapman
07.02.1932 – 03.11. 2022
And, for her final time: ‘It’s lovely to see you’.
Graham Fisher
‘Motherhood is the exquisite inconvenience of being another person’s everything. A mother’s hug lasts long after she lets go’ - Anon
90th celebrations at Rhydspence Inn, 07.02.22.
(image courtesy of 'Fliss')
Thank you
Post-funeral
Mary and I are are greatly indebted to all friends and supporters of the late Sheila Iris Chapman who donated generously following her funeral on 24th November 2022.
We are pleased to announce that a total of just under £400 was raised on the day (with more to follow), all of which is to be donated to Llewellyn Ward at Bronllys Hospital where Sheila received much loving care in the early months of 2022.
A private family donation has also been made to BUPA Leominster where Sheila spent her final days. And spent them, it must be said, surrounded by much love and the greatest of happiness that will be in perpetuity the foundation of many lasting memories of this quite remarkable lady.
The quality of attention that Sheila received in both facilities was par excellence and we would like to publicly express our sincere gratitude to all involved.
Our thanks also to CC James (Funeral Directors) of Brecon for their sympathetic handling of affairs during this sensitive time. Also to Rev. Marcus Small who so eloquently conducted the service and ministered diligently to all attendant matters both spiritual and temporal.
In accordance with her wishes Sheila's ashes will be interred in the church of St. Peter & St. Paul, Whitney-on-Wye. This will be a private ceremony at a date to be ascertained.
Sic transit gloria mundi: thus passes the glory of the world. Throughout us sharing almost seven decades together Sheila Iris Chapman was indeed my world. Goodbye, mom. And thanks for everything. As was in life, so shall always be in my thoughts and dreams; 'It's lovely to see you!'
Evermore, my angel,
Graham.
