Bryan Melbourne, RIP - Guinness at The Grove
Guinness was Bryan's favourite tipple and the Grove Tavern in Southbourne was Bryan's favourite local pub.
Bryan passed away two years ago after contracting Covid in hospital, but most of Bryan's family and friends were unable to attend his funeral because of the Covid lockdown restrictions which were in place at the time.
A memorial is being held in Bournemouth later this week to celebrate Bryan's life and times - he was a great character, a real 'diamond geezer'.
Bryan Melbourne - 'Diamond Geezer' (May 01, 2020)
Our good friend Bryan Melbourne (bottom left) passed away recently after becoming infected with Covid-19.Bryan was a 'diamond geezer', as they say in London, a real gent from the old school, an engineer to trade who went on to become a successful businessman before retiring to Southbourne with his wife Pauline.
Sadly we can't attend Bryan's funeral today because of the rules about traveling during 'lockdown', but if I could I would speak the following words from Robert Burns.
Epitaph on my own Friend - by Robert Burns
An honest man here lies at rest,
As e’er God with His image blest:
The friend of man, the friend of truth;
The friend of age, and guide of youth:
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,
Few heads with knowledge so inform’d:
If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.
As e’er God with His image blest:
The friend of man, the friend of truth;
The friend of age, and guide of youth:
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,
Few heads with knowledge so inform’d:
If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.
Thankfully we spent a lovely time in Southbourne with Bryan and Pauline just before Christmas and have some great memories of the time we shared together including Bryan's unforgettable Tommy Cooper impersonation.
I would also like to mention the Post Office and postal workers who delivered Bryan's 'emergency' parcel of Scotland's famous square sausage just as lockdown got underway.
I understand the parcel made Bryan's day when it arrived safely in the post.
I understand the parcel made Bryan's day when it arrived safely in the post.
Scotland's Square Sausage (26/03/20)
I sent an emergency supply of Scotland's famous Lorne or 'square sausage' to an old friend of mine the other day and I'm pleased to announce that the parcel arrived safe and sound.
I take my hat off to the Post Office and all of postal workers for keeping the system going during this wretched Coronavirus business.
So does my good friend Bryan, also known as the noble Lord Melbourne of Bournemouth.
