By Harry Mottram: On Wednesday I attended the celebration of the life of Alex Duncan at Sedgemoor Crematorium and later at Hestercombe Gardens in Somerset. Alexander William Duncan died from cancer on July 5th, 2024. A friend, a protagonist at our book club meetings who would argue about plot and character, a gifted speaker, a former teacher at Bedminster Down School in Bristol, and above all a committed family man and husband to Sarah.
His funeral was well attended with scores of Axbridge residents as well as life long friends and relatives and perhaps most fittingly his wider family. It was a well thought out service that reflected the life of one of the town’s former residents because as the one time Axbridge Town Hall manager and High Street stallwart Alex designed its contents himself! And being a life long political animal he titled it ‘Alex’s Manifesto.’
The Celebrant (or master of ceremonies as I called him) was John Bailey – the man who directed the last three Axbridge Pageants and is the driving force behind Axbridge Community Theatre (ACT). He introduced the service and linked each constituent part with a mix of good humour and the seriousness the occasion called for. Alex had after all been a key member and supporter of ACT whose main loves included theatre, literature, the arts and music in particular. And so music played an important part of the service with the opening of Prelude No 1 in C major (Bach) – Jacques Loussier; the song made famous by Vera Lynn ‘Wish me Luck’ beautifully sung by Becky; a recording of Janet Baker singing the Dido’s Lament by Henry Purcell; The Whole of the Moon by The Waterboys; Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald’s recording of It Don’t Mean A Thing; and finally A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum, which for me brought back memories of 1970s discos when it was a number chosen to wind up the evening and kick everyone out – appropriate as it was the closing music.
The Garden written by Alex was read by Clare – clearly a heart felt piece of prose – while Jennifer’s Message read by Sarah was a wonderful view of Alex, of cancer and of visiting a relative through a child’s eye – so touching, so sensitive and so real. Speaking of real the poem Bloody Orkney by Hamish Blair was read with an appropriate dark humour by Matthew – and Justin gave a superb Eulogy on the life of Alex through the prism of his nearest and dearest – his volcanic sneezes, his aversion to games, his love of wine and cheese, and his grumpiness – all told with a warm affection by one who new him so well. I used to describe Alex as Eeyore to my Tigger – from The House at Pooh Corner – but Alex was an eternal optimist and an advocate of education – even late in life – and a bon viveur. So a happy Eeyore.
I cycled to the cremarorium arriving just in time from Axbridge rather hot and sweaty so the cool and calm surroundings were a relief. Sarah came across immediately to greet me and remarked Alex would have approved of my wearing hi-vis to his funeral. After the service I realised Hestercombe was going to be a challenge to get there for the reception so I didn’t hang about and set off for the country house and garden attraction near Taunton which I discovered was up a number of narrow lanes and very steep hills. There I grabbed a sandwich and a glass of wine and told Sarah that I was commissioning her to organise my funeral as I was so impressed by Alex’s. She reminded me that was a nice idea but I would have to die first! Which sort of brought me back to reality – having nearly died in a road accident in May. Yes, life is short – and we must make every day count as Alex did.
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