My Mother

On April 11th this year my Mum would have been 88 years old. There are lots of women who live to be this age nowadays, but for Patricia Catherine Jones (nee Bryant), her life was to end at a mere 71 having suffered for 6 years with Alzheimers.


So, in a very real sense, we lost her twice, Dad, Nina and I. She was lost to us when she ceased to comprehend who we were and then again when she slipped away, hopefully to regain full self consciousness in the next world.


Nevertheless, it was hard to bear for all of us and there is rarely a day goes by that she is not far from our thoughts. Just before she died I wrote a poem to her, for her, but of course she never read it in this life. I like to think that she looked over my shoulder in the next one and read it then. Here it is, for me really, to tell whoever reads this, how much she meant to me...

My Mother

(born 11th April 1921 – died 4th January 1993)

Shining light that shone so bright
To illuminate my world,
A beacon in my darkest hours
When my weaknesses unfurled.
You gave me Love when Love was lost
And Hope when there was none,
You helped me look beyond myself
Gave me the Will to carry on.
You made me laugh when I would cry
And to think when I would not.
You always sought the truth from me
And you knew when I would lie.
Sometimes you made me feel ashamed
Of the things I’d done or said
Yet always you were there for me
To show the way ahead
And lead me from my waywardness.
You shared my Hopes and Dreams and Fears,
You cooked and cleaned and washed my clothes
And dried away my tears.
You stood by me when I let you down,
As I was prone to do
And forgave me for my churlishness
When I was rude to you.
You gave yourself to me and mine
And helped us on our way,
I know my wife is grateful
For that week you came to stay
So long ago when we were young
And felt we couldn’t cope
With a new born babe’s demands on us,
But in fact you gave us Hope,
By doing what you did so well.
So thankful am I that I had You,
I would not have wished for any other
Person in this world than You,
To have as my Friend and Confidante,
To Love and call “My Mother”.

Babsy's Birthday 18th Oct 2008

We had a great night out with our friends - and Babsy... you don't look anywhere near 65!!!

Red Arrows

Red Arrows at Southport Air Show on Sunday 7th Sept 2008

I'll See You In My Dreams

For Babsy.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

A great version of a geat George Harrison number. Brings a lump to my throat.

Anglesey Aug 2008

This is the cottage where my grandfather (Taid) was born in 1869. I was named after him, Hugh Jones was one of 11 children (9 girls and 2 boys). His father was a quarryman. The house was called Llein Swch (which means "Tip of the ploughshare")

This is a memorial statue at Moelfre of a famous lifeboatman - Dic Evans

A desolate view from the top of Parys mountain

Point Lynas - beautiful!

Beatles Day - July 10th 2008 - Liverpool

Click on title to read the review in Daily Telegraph.

On Thursday July 10th, Babs and I attended the Beatles Imagine concert at the Echo Arena. It was in aid of charity for Alder Hey hospital and Rhys Jones who tragically lost his life on August 22nd last year.

It was a night of memories for all of us who were teenagers in the 60's. The whole set was enhanced by the Backbeat Beatles who reproduced the magic of the fab four as well, if not better, than any Beatles tribute band I have seen.

The first half of the concert was hosted by Ricky (Royle Family) Tomlinson and his wisecracks about "zimmer frames and bus passes" each time he introduced a Liverpool personality from the Merseybeat era, kept the audience amused. Ricky even joined the original Quarrymen for a rendition of Maggie Mae with his trusty banjo!

The second half was hosted by Liverpool's own radio personality Billy Butler and he got in on the act as well with his version of Yellow Submarine (don't give up the day job Billy!)

The highlight for Babs and I was "In My Life" which was voted the best Beatles song of all time by the people of Liverpool in an Echo poll, winning more than 23% of the votes.

It was a great night and we hope that this will become an annual event in Liverpool. The Beatles did more for this city in the last century than anyone else. (Take note Ringo when you make your daft remarks!)

It was great to see Tony Crane and Billy Kingsley performing together and although it was a tribute to the Beatles, we would have loved to have heard "Sorrow" or "Don't Turn Around" too.

The finale featured the whole ensemble singing "All You Need Is Love". Thanks to everyone who organised and performed in a great night of nostalgia for the best band ever!