HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRY - BCAM25

Alfred Henry Iles 
     affectionately known as “Harry”
          who, had he lived, 
               would have been 111 years old today.
A gentleman in every way. 

Well-known in the neighbourhood -
     after he had donned his old clothes 
          and his flat cap 
He rode his trusty old bike
     up to his allotment 
          next to the church
               then “walked” it home again
Loaded with a harvest of
     onions, cabbages, potatoes, beetroot
          and all manner of produce
               fit for a king! 

In his garden at home 
     he grew apples and the soft fruits - 
          strawberries, gooseberries and raspberries
               and his rhubarb was the best I’ve ever tasted -
Pulled and quickly made into either
     a pie or crumble by his loving wife, Joanie,
          and of course, always served with “proper”
               Birds custard made from scratch!

His greenhouse was a “conventional” one
     made of wood and glass - 
          none of that “plastic rubbish” for Harry!
He spent hours in there,
     nurturing tomatoes and carnations - 
          (so that’s who Mr. HCB takes after!)
And had been propagating a yellow carnation
     that sadly he never saw
          but which was put in his coffin
               with him after he died by Joanie.
(I think he would have liked this
     white and pink carnation.)

He loved his sport 
     and followed “The Town”
          so a Saturday afternoon
               when they played “at home”
Saw him ambling down to
     the County Ground
          to watch “his” team. 
I often wonder if he ever
     jumped up out of his seat
          and shouted when they scored a goal!

He loved to “bet” on the horse 
     but was probably
          the only man who never lost a penny
               because no money ever changed hands - 
He just wrote his bet 
     on the Racing page
          at the back of the newspaper
               then “totted up” his winnings after the races! 
 
Harry  loved his wife and
     his family and liked nothing better
          than to spend time with them. 
His 70th birthday was the last time
     we were all together
          because sadly he died the following year
               In Llandudno, 
Whilst he and his beloved Joanie
     were on holiday with their lifelong friends,
          Doris and Reg. 

A gentleman and
     a "gentle" man
          I am privileged to have known
               who was like a Father to me. 
Harry is sadly missed
     even after all these years
          but his sons, grandsons and
               great-grandsons carry on his name!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Harry - 
     You were the best! 

© Maureen Iles 25/10/17 

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P.S.  I apologise for not responding to any comments yesterday, but I spent most of the day and evening getting my Powerpoint Presentation together for Remembrance Sunday - I think I’ve cracked it!