Swans, the story tells, bond for life. Mary through her Storyworks is somehow telling me that bond echoes on.

Taking a much needed constitutional yesterday in the almost cool of the evening in Brockwell Park I came upon the family of swans Mary and I have been following for several years. I’m delighted to be able to report in picture that this year seven cygnets are doing very well thank you.

A number of you Mary-Blog followers have said you like the idea of consolidating this remarkable storytelling resource. Please do advise on what  might be most useful and helpful.

Meanwhile, here’s a poem by Mary that we’re planning to include in due course in what might be titled: Echoes of Mary ~ the Book.

Sad Swan Serena

Swan Serena sailed the river, no-one knew how sad she felt,

Wanting, waiting, never finding, searching for a silver dress.

Until one moonlit night Serena, yearning for her heart’s desire,

Dipped her head towards the water, swans-neck curved in gracious ‘S’.

In the depths was something silver mirrored in the full moon’s light.

Serena wondered: what was she seeing? At first she simply couldn’t guess.

At last Serena knew the answer: she was looking at herself!

Clothed in moonbeams, shimmering, lovely, reflected was a swan princess.

Each night now when moonlight glimmers Serena meets her silver self,

Glides the silent, shining river, sadness changed to happiness.

Sail on, Serena, keep on searching in the water’s hidden depths.

One bright day when sun is shining you might find a golden dress.

Until soon dear Mary-Blog readers.

Dear Echoes of Mary Storyworks blog readers,

It feels right this week to share a little more from the Celebration.

So here’s the traditional song O Waly Waly arranged by our long-term friend, singer, choral conductor and composer Mark Sproson; conducted by Steve Copeland and sung by our wonderful fine friends (oh, and me). The video is by our nephew David Pelham.

Mary was enjoying this I do believe.

Until soon.

Well, it was a fine celebration. I’ve only just watched the webcast. And found it both moving and joyous. Here’s the link again in case you’d like to see the tidied up version: https://watch.obitus.com

As Mary would undoubtedly have said, and as I do now, first so much gratitude to the pall bearers (whom I suggested might be called the Mary-bearers) nephew Dave Pelham representing the family; Steve Copeland representing the singing side of our life; Michael Wrigley representing WiPs and Sally Tonge representing Storytelling.

Then in the service itself  beautiful heartfelt and heart-meant tributes from Valerie Grove, Sally Tonge, Jo Cameron and Bridget Greeves . As well as fine words of committal and comfort from Joanna Adam, the Celebrant.

Over a hundred and twenty managed to attend on a very hot day and it was a great and colourful (as requested) occasion. There were connections and re-connections and some surprising tangents and links discovered among Mary’s and my friends.

Thanks, too, for the lovely cards and messages and memories. Also the generous contributions to CRISIS in Memory of Mary ( https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Paul-Medlicott1 ).

If any of you dear blog readers would like a copy of the order of service and the poems read out do please let me know.

As I begin a return to work through the plans Mary and I were developing for new books and collections I find myself minded to keep this blog going a while. There’s just so much I feel she would have wished to share.

So, more anon.

Meanwhile, here’s a neat picture of some of the celebrations at The Portico.

Hello dear followers of Mary’s Storyworks blog.

First for those of you planning to attend, a reminder that West Norwood Crematorium is on Norwood Road, Norwood, London SE27 9JU.

Buses 2, 322 and 68 have stops close by and to walk from West Norwood Station should take about ten minutes. Be aware that from the entrance gates to the chapel is a good ten minutes walk, It would be best to aim to be at the crematorium chapel around 2.15.

If you are coming by car, there’s lots of parking space in the cemetery grounds. But be aware that the gates will close at 6pm sharp

There is parking in Robsons Road which runs by the side of the cemetery and in the grounds of St Luke’s Church just across from the gates.

For distant friends who would like to join in the webcast the details are as follows. The link is: https://watch.obitus.com . The User name is bevo9694 and the Password is 976449 . The webcast is due to be online five minutes before  the 2.45 pm funeral start time. If that’s the middle of your night, it will also be possible to view it on ‘Watch Again’ for a good number of days. And we think it will be possible to download the whole event in due course. Probably worth trying the link in advance to see it’s working.

After the formal service we shall be taking the short walk to The Portico, Knights Hill, West Norwood, SE27 0HS – to continue celebrating Mary to the echo with sparkling refreshments and with singing and sharing memories and stories. We’ll hope to report on that next week.

So many have said they’re hoping to attend Echoes of Mary that we’ve hired a hall for that quaintly named event the Funeral Tea.

No. not the Drill Hall where Mary and Karen Tovell ran those famous storytelling workshops; nor the London Welsh Centre scene of some notable performances by Mary and, of course, home of the London Welsh Chorale the source of so much happy singing for us both under the direction of Kenneth Bowen.

We’ve been fortunate in securing the Portico at 23a Knights Hill, Norwood, London SE27 0HS, just a few minutes walk from the Crematorium. It has a nice big main hall with a piano and pa system.

This means we’ll be able to continue with singing and stories and sharing memories of Mary . And there will be tea and cakes and there will certainly be something sparkling as well.

I’ll be posting the webcast details next week.

But, meanwhile  as a reminder, the first part of Echoes of Mary will be at the West Norwood Crematorium, Norwood Rd, Norwood, London SE27 9JU on Tuesday 12^th July starting at 2.30 pm.