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Burnham and Highbridge Gateway Club - 25 years on ............

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Death of Founder Member

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Death of Founder Member

Ken Stiling lived in an adapted bungalow in East Avenue, Highbridge with his parents when the Gateway Club was first started and he became a regular member at the Club.
When Ken's father died playing darts in a Highbridge venue, Ken and his mother continued to live to East Avenue until she became too frail to look after Ken and they both went to live in Burnham Nursing Home in Oxford Street.
It was with amazement that we read on the front page of 'Burnham and Highbridge Times' - 7th January 2005 that Ken had died in Weston General Hospital on 23rd December.
According to the report in the newspaper, Ken had choked on his food.
Although instructions had been given that Ken needed to be supervised while eating a meal, he had been left alone............
Valerie, Paul, Andrew, Mark, Christine and Gillian join with Joyce to pay tribute to Ken and the support he gave to the Club.

Freeserve

Valerie Cox

Valerie Cox was one of triplets born to Mrs Cox in Love Lane in Burnham. Her mother received the King's Bounty from King George VI in 1941 because of the multiple birth.

Valerie was a regular member of the Gateway Club and used to bring her colouring book and felt tip pens and sit next to Christine Field at the BAY Centre.

Valerie was taken to hospital with stomach pains and died a week later (13th August 2990) after an operation - a blockage had been found and a blood clot but she died from a heart attack.

Valerie was 65 years of age.

Valerie Cox 1941 - 2006

Valerie Cox was a founder member of the Burnham Gateway Club and regularly attended weekly meetings at the B.A.Y. Centre as well as outings and holidays.

Her favourite occupation on Club nights was to sit next to Christine Field and together they would work through their colouring books patiently and diligently.

Valerie lived alone in a downstairs flat in North Avenue since the death of her mother. Her opposite neighbour (Mrs James who was a widow) gave her great support - checking on her well-being at least twice a day and accompanying her on shopping trips.

Valerie used a 'walker' frame during the last year and this had a seat for her to rest on when she needed. Valerie was very independent and could be quite sharp-tongued when things were not to her liking.

Valerie was born one of triplets - with a brother and sister. Her mother who was living in Love Lane in Burnham at the time of their births, received the King's Bounty (Ł3-) and a certificate from King George VI because multiple births were a rarity in 1941.

Donations from her funeral were given to the Gateway Club.

The following poem was written by a founder helper at the Club who had known Valerie for 28 years.

VALERIE COX -

We'll miss you from your corner seat
Where you coloured pictures neat
Your felt-tipped pens of many a hue
Were always so much a part of you.
You kept young members in their place
With a firm rebuke and a stern face.
At dominoes you were the best
Often beating all the rest
Many a trophy you have won When tournaments the Club has done.
Your time has come to give up pain
And a crown of golden peace to gain.

J.Beard 13.8.2006

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