Tributes to brave cancer battler Derek
TRIBUTES have been paid to a former pub landlord who died after a brave battle with brain cancer.
Derek Brogden, of Lord Street, Oswaldtwistle, ran the town’s Heys Inn pub for 17 years as well as the Decorware shop on Union Road, and later became a HGV driver.
The grandfather-of-six was diagnosed with bowel cancer six years ago before developing a brain tumour in March 2016.
Doctors found a further three brain tumours several months before his death and his family were told there was ‘ nothing they could do’.
Derek passed away peacefully at home on December 21, aged 61.
His daughter Kim Bottomley said car fanatic Derek was an ‘ absolute trooper’ and ‘kept going and battling on’.
She said: “He had bowel cancer initially about six years ago and had part of his bowel removed. He was still working through all his chemo treatment like an absolute trooper. He then had a brain tumour in March 2016 and had half of it removed.
“We found out a couple of months before he passed away that he had another three brain tumours. There was nothing they could do unfortunately. He kept going and battling on. He passed away peacefully at home and myself and my mum were there with him.
“He was fun-loving and always up for a laugh. He always had a massive smile on his face and loved everything, especially his cars.”
Before taking over the Heys Inn, Derek ran the King Street Club in Blackburn. He later worked as a HGV driver for Seaways.
Kim said: “He had always been in the pub business. He had numerous football teams, dominoes and pool teams.
“He loved the whole pub life. He did karaoke, which he really enjoyed. His favourite song was ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ and that will be played at his funeral.
“He absolutely loved fast cars. The faster the better. He absolutely loved driving his wagon. It was a massive passion.
“His private car registration was ‘S3 DEK’ which will be at his funeral with flowers.”
Derek leaves wife Eileen Brogden, children Joanne, Peter, Kimberley, Tara and Odette, siblings Joyce, Ken, Anne and Janet and six grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 10.20am on Friday, January 5 at Accrington Crematorium followed by a ‘celebration of his life’ at Accrington Golf Club.
JOAN ENTWISTLE
MRS Joan Entwistle, of Baxenden, died on Wednesday, December 20, at Royal Blackburn Hospital, aged 87.
She was a Jacquard Weaver as well as the school cleaner at Spring Hill.
In her spare time she enjoyed gardening as well as flowers and birds.
Wife to the late Kenneth, she was the loving mother of Norma and Karen and Ian, mother-in-law to Bertrand, Dan and Julie, loving nanna to Natasha, Alex, Matilda and Nina, Matthew and Siobhan and Joseph.
The funeral will be held on Thursday, January 11, at All Saints Church, Clayton-le-Moors, at 10.45am, officiated by the Reverend Toby Webber, followed by cremation at Accrington Crematorium at 11.40am. Family flowers only please. Donations are requested to Cancer Research and Dementia UK.
Funeral director: Wolstenholme Funeral Service.
DEREK BROGDEN
MR Derek Brogden, of Lord Street, Oswaldtwistle, died peacefully at home at 5.55pm on Thursday, December 21, aged 61.
Derek was the landlord of Heys Inn for 17 years and a HGV driver at Seaways.
He loved driving his lorry and in his spare time he enjoyed fishing and fast cars!
He leaves his wife Eileen Brogden, children Joanne, Peter, Kimberley, Tara and Odette, siblings Joyce, Ken, Anne and Janet and six grandchildren.
His funeral will be held on Friday, January 5, at Accrington Crematorium, at 10.20am, officiated by the minister Angela Riding. Flowers are welcome in lieu of donations.
Funeral director: Oswaldtwistle Funeral Services.
ROY HARGREAVES
MR Roy Hargreaves, of Each Steps Dementia Home, Infirmary Road, Blackburn, died on Tuesday, December 26, aged 66.
Roy was a fork lift truck driver.
In his spare time he played snooker at Platts Working Men’s Club.
He enjoyed walking the dog, gardening, holidays in Cornwall, spending time with his family and caravan holidays.
He leaves his partner Elaine, daughter Kathleen, sons Martin and Roy and grandchildren.
The funeral will take place on Monday, January 8, at 2.20pm, at Accrington Crematorium, officiated by the Reverend Philip Norris. Family flowers only please.
Donations are requested to RSPCA Altham c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, 336 Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.
ERNEST GRIMSHAW
MR Ernest Grimshaw, a much loved and respected man, died on Friday, December 22, peacefully in his daughter’s arms, at Royal Blackburn Hospital, aged 88.
Ernest was the husband of the late Doreen Grimshaw who he loved unconditionally. He was a loving, caring dad to his children Stephanie and Antony, and also Doreen’s children Andy, Lindsey, Tony and Iain who he nurtured in the way she did. All of the siblings were influenced by his straightforward approach to life and his strong work ethic.
Ernest had grandchildren Olivia, William, Antoinette, Rebekka and Natalie and great-grandchildren Nathan, Eloise, Joshua, Jasmine and Indie. He loved watching the antics of the younger children and seeing them grow and progress.
Ernest, in his own words: “Had a good life.”
He was born at Needless Farm, Rising Bridge and lived his whole life in this area - which he loved. A builder by trade he renovated houses near his birthplace to create homes to raise his family. His early life saw him farming, driving, and delivering milk.
Following years of breeding pigs at Sherfin Nook, an outbreak of disease saw the stock he had built up wiped out completely. Not one to let misfortune take control, he drew on his skills and expertise as a builder and became a civil engineer for Lancashire County Council. Being an outdoor type, he was delighted to be posted out to the countryside repairing and maintaining bridges throughout the Ribble Valley, the Trough of Bowland and surrounding areas.
Animals always featured in Ernie’s life. Particularly horses and ponies.
He spent many hours touring the county with his daughter Stephanie participating in show jumping competitions at riding clubs and the agricultural shows. Many successes included qualification for the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead with a 13hh pony which he bought, broke and produced himself. The long journey south was made in a mobile library skilfully converted by Ernest into a live-in horse box for the purpose.
Always one to ‘give back’, he volunteered many hours to Rossendale Valley Riding Club from the late 60s to the 1990s with spells as chairperson and president. Members at the time will recall his constant encouragement as they tried hard to achieve success.
Ernest loved to sing (in private) and surprisingly knew the words of many little known songs from start to finish. In his courting days and beyond he enjoyed dancing and had a good turn of foot on the dancefloor well into his 60s -as members at The Palatine will recall.
He came to enjoy holidays abroad and took several each year with Doreen. His favourites being on the Greek Islands, where the quiet pace of life suited his own steady, no frills style of living. He enjoyed bargaining and sealing a good deal. Latterly this pleasure was played out at the local car boot sales.
He also liked tinkering, preferring to fix things for himself, and he would often be found pottering around ‘the buildings’ working on some little project or other.
Ernie was a strong but gentle, even tempered, friendly and smiling man with a joking sense of humour which he used to take the rise out of family and friends alike. Ernest and his generosity of spirit and good heartedness will be missed by so many. He has lived a long, healthy and fulfilled life and he has left much to be proud of.
The world is a better place for having known Ernest Grimshaw and those who Ernie are better people for having known him. These include his immediate family (above), his sister Margaret, late sister Elsie, brothers Granville, Richard and George and their wives, daughter-in-law Denise, sister-in-law Myra, sister-in-law Janet, late brother-in-law John, Mick, Dawn and his many nieces and nephews, friends and neighbours.
Ernie’s funeral will take place at Accrington Crematorium on Monday, January 8 at 3pm. Family flowers only. Donations in his memory can be made to Derian House Children’s Hospice c/o funeral director Champ Funerals, Bank House, Clayton-le-Moors.
ROY YATES
MR Roy Yates died on Saturday, December 23, at approximately 9pm, aged 71.
Roy was a baker most of his life from Mosley Baker, Accrington, then Warburtons and finally Holland’s Pies.
He was on the committee of Accrington and Chorley Wine Association.
He leaves Tony, Mandy, Christopher, Diane and great-nieces and nephews Natalie, Kieron, Dylan, Blake, Zeb and Adam.
His funeral will be held on Friday, January 12, at Accrington Crematorium at 10.20am, conducted by the minister Ken Howles. Flowers welcome in lieu of donations.
Funeral director: Wolstenholmes Funeral Services.
SUSAN WARD
MISS Susan Ann Ward, of Grisedale Avenue, Blackburn, formerly of Burnley Lane, Huncoat, died on Wednesday, December 27, aged 55.
Susan worked in various office roles, the longest being 15 years at Walter Hollands and Sons in Baxenden as a clerk. Her last position was as deputy bank manager at HSBC, Morrisons branch, Blackburn.
In her spare time, Susan established a mobile make-up artist business called ‘Be Beautiful’ for brides and special occasions.
Family and friends were important and she enjoyed time spent with them.
Susan was the eldest daughter of the late Jean and Thomas Ward, formerly of Empress Street, Accrington, sister to Julie, sister-in-law to Nigel and Aunty to Abi and Jenni.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 10, at 1pm, at Accrington Crematorium, officiated by the minister Fr Simon Stamp.
Family flowers are welcome in lieu of donations.
Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
PETER LOVETT
MR Peter Francis Lovett, of Haywood Road, Accrington, has died aged 85.
He had various employment including a journeyman joiner at Broadoak Printworks, HM Forces Royal Artillery dispatch rider, Gilbraith HGV driver haulage, Rothwells Haulage and Bert Pitt Haulage, Clayton-le-Moors.
Peter was a lifelong member of Sydney Street Working Men’s Club, a committee member of the Canine Club and was affiliated with other local clubs.
He enjoyed playing games such as dominoes, cards and pool and loved bar work in his younger days.
He leaves his wife Anne, son Stephen and his wife Sheila, son Nicholas and his wife Sandra, grandchildren Kristy, Wayne, Samantha and Rebecca, greatgrandchildren Milo, Wilson, Teddy and Maddison, daughter Clare and husband David and his brother-in-law Thomas and wife Carol.
Requiem Mass will be held at St Joseph’s RC Church, Accrington, on Wednesday, January 10, at 10.15am, conducted by Fr Simon Stamp, followed by cremation at Accrington Crematorium at 11.40am. Please wear bright colours. Family flowers are welcome, donations are requested to the Parkinson’s Society c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
HILDA O’CONNOR
MRS Hilda Maureen O’Connor, of Lupin Close, Accrington, died on Thursday, December 21, aged 80.
Maureen, as she was known, was a social services care warden at Banbury Close Care Centre for the Elderly, part of Lancashire County Council’s Care for the Elderly provision. She was the centre manager until retirement.
During retirement her prime focus and interest was her two grandchildren - Kirsty and Jamie.
Wife of the late John, deceased 1998, she leaves her son Neil, daughter-inlaw Gillian, and grandchildren Kirsty and Jamie.
The funeral was due to be held on Thursday, January 4, at 11.40am, at Accrington Crematorium, officiated by the minister David Ireland. Family flowers only please, donations requested to the Breast Cancer Research Trust c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
IRENE SHAW
MRS Irene Shaw nee Hargreaves, of Maudsley Street, Accrington, died on Saturday, December 23, aged 87.
On leaving school she was a school wages clerk, worked part time at a book publisher and part time at Accrington Market on the glass and pop stall.
In her spare time she enjoyed reading, going on holidays, doing word searches. She also enjoyed going to Hyndburn Arthritis monthly meetings.
She leaves her husband Robert Shaw, daughters Hilary Schmidt and Dianne Gill, was motherin-law of Manfred and the late Harry Gill and Harold Monk also to Carla and Emma, nan to Robert, Gabrielle, Darren and Sebina, great-nan to Dane, Dani, Ashley, McKenzie, Stephanie, Clara, Nevaeh, Cohen and Tobias.
The funeral will take place on Monday, January 8, at 11.40am, at Accrington Crematorium, conducted by the minister Philip Norris, followed by cremation.
Family flowers only please, donations are requested for the North West Ambulance Service c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
NORMAN WHIPP
MR Norman Whipp died on Friday, December 22, at Hope House Nursing Home, aged 92.
Norman served in the Navy from 1944 to 1948. From 1954 he worked at Lignostone Ltd until retirement.
He was a member of the Submariners Association.
In his spare time he loved walking and socialising with friends and family.
Beloved husband of Annie, he leaves daughters Sally and Joyce, son Robert, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great, great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 11, at Accrington Crematorium, at 1.40pm, conducted by the minister Ken Howles, followed by cremation. Family flowers only, donations to the Air Ambulance.
Funeral director: Wolstenholmes Funeral Service.
ROLAND FIELDING
MR Roland Fielding, of Birkett Road, Accrington, died on Thursday, December 28, aged 76.
After leaving school Roland started work as a joiner at Jacob Wards, Oswaldtwistle and ended his working life with Holland’s Pies.
Prior to the passing away of his wife, he enjoyed holidaying abroad, going away several times a year.
He took great pleasure in socialising and was a long time member of Burnley Road Bowling Club.
He was beloved husband of the late Marjorie and a loved brother-in-law to Ken and Eileen, John and Trish, Sheila and Alan and a sadly missed uncle to Stephen, Tracy, Debbie, David, John and Mark.
The funeral will take place at Accrington Crematorium, on Tuesday, January 9, at 2.20pm, officiated by the minister David Ireland.
Family flowers only please, donations are requested to the Air Ambulance or East Lancashire Hospice.
Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
KATHLEEN BIRTLES
KATHLEEN Elizabeth Birtles, of Clayton-le-Moors, died on Friday, December 29, peacefully in hospital, aged 74.
Kate, as she was known, was the much loved mum of Susie and Jamie, cherished grandma of Abbie-Louise and dear sister of Les.
She worked as a sales manager with a Manchester linen wholesaler, and with local firms, Naylor the printers and Hilden textiles.
Amateur dramatics was, however, her passion and she loved to perform on stage with her theatre groups.
Kate was also a member of the Accrington Local History Society.
She was a very outgoing person who enjoyed spending time with her friends and loved a good party. Kate also enjoyed shopping and, in particular, clothes shopping. She was a very smart lady who always took pride in her appearance.
The funeral service to celebrate Kate’s life will take place on Monday, January 15, at Accrington Crematorium, Burnley Road, at 1.40pm.
Family flowers only please and donations, if desired, to Accrington Theatre Group, a registered charity via funeral director L Champ Funeral Services, Clayton-le-Moors.
JANET SMITH
MRS Janet Smith, of Poplar Close, Oswaldtwistle, died at home after a long illness on Wednesday, December 27, aged 80.
Janet was born in Shotts, Lanarkshire, Scotland. She worked at G&A Plastics as company secretary for over 20 years before commencing her retirement.
Janet was the loving wife of Peter, mother of Gordon, Louise and Duncan, mother-inlaw of Glenn and Karly, granny to Hannah, Abigail, Joel, Nash, Bede and Arlo and sister to Mary, Sheena and Jim.
Janet was a devout Roman Catholic and she volunteered for many years at St Mary’s RC Church, Oswaldtwistle.
She enjoyed family holidays, especially in the Lake District, South Wales and Scotland. She also had the opportunity to visit Australia and New Zealand a few times.
We would like to thank Peel House Medical Centre, in particular Dr G Westwood, the Hyndburn district nurses and the carers from Route Health Care for enabling Janet to die peacefully at home with her family.
There will be a full Requiem Mass at St Mary’s Church, Oswaldtwistle, on Friday, January 12 at 11am followed by burial at Immanuel Church Cemetery.
Family flowers only please with donations, if so desired, to CAFOD via funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Sonya and Peter Regan, Queens Road.
KENNETH SUMNER PARKINSON
MR Kenneth Sumner Parkinson, of Oakwood Road, Accrington died on Tuesday, December 26, at Royal Blackburn Hospital, aged 82.
He was a retired police inspector of 30 years.
He was a member of the Oakhill Veterans Crown Green Bowling Club and was a Manchester City and Accrington Stanley fan and liked to travel.
He leaves his wife of 62 years Beryl, son Neil, daughters Kathryn and Lindsey, daughter-in-law Jennifer, sons-in-law Doug and Dean, grandsons Nathan, James, Tom, Adam, Harry, Morgan, Ben and Zack, brother Barry, sister-in-law Glenys and greatgrandson Kai.
The funeral service, conducted by Katie Carmichael, will be held on Friday, January 12 at Accrington Crematorium, at 1.40pm.
No flowers please with donations to the North West Ambulance Service.
Funeral director: Kirby & Hughes.