Olly's Corner

There are more important things than pictures and although this is my 1290th Blip - a full six years of photographs though the continuous six years doesn't take place till Hogmanay - it is one that reflects a deeply sad and painfully moving event.

Almost two weeks ago I mentioned the death of little Olly Jones, a twelve year old boy from Innellan who was knocked down coming off the school bus. Cathleen had taught him at Toward, one of the schools where she is head teacher, and the whole community in South Cowal (and the wider community in Dunoon, where he was a first year secondary pupil) has been devastated by what happened.

Today was the funeral, which was held in the packed Matheson Church of Scotland in Innellan, which sits overlooking the Clyde, just opposite Innellan School.

The weather was terrible which seemed to amplify the prevailing mood but that was replaced during the service with an up swelling of admiration for, and support of, Olly's family and in particularly his father Martin who spoke wonderfully well about his son and his unique, infectiously curious nature, and his mother Sam who read one of Olly's poems.

There were many tears in the church from young and old and later in the town the cortège was due to go past the Grammar School where the pupils were going to wave the football scarves they had been asked to bring - Olly was a passionate Liverpool supporter.

Down on the shore where the accident took place there are many bouquets laid with respect and affection . The local children are already calling this "Olly's Corner" and for many that is what it will always be.