Graham Ward 06/09/34 - 08/01/10

Graham Ward
Photograph supplied by Richard Ward

The following obituary first appeared in the February 2010 issue of Meldreth Matters.

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Graham Ward a stalwart of the village for the past 30 years.

Graham has been involved in many important elements of Meldreth life and will be known by many for his cheery smile and chirpy sense of humour.

Meldreth Manor School benefitted from much of Graham’s time in the 90’s and “noughties” through his unstinting work reforming The Friends of Meldreth Manor of which he was Chair for many years. His passion for jazz was a real benefit to the school, and many will have enjoyed the highly successful fundraising jazz nights which Graham instigated and organised. In addition to this he also drove one of the school’s minibuses numerous times a week, helping to ensure that as many children as possible were taken on enjoyable and therapeutic excursions.

Slightly odd as it may initially sound Graham was also very busy with the WRVS. With typical Graham sense of humour he regularly complained that he wasn’t provided with a skirt to wear on his rounds, but despite that omission he performed sterling work delivering tasty meals to many deserving people.

Like so many villages, Meldreth is blessed with some delightful footpaths that wind their way round the village. In recent years many of those paths had fallen into some state of disrepair. As a passionate walker and great carer for our countryside Graham teamed up with others to form the Paths Partnership, and with typical energy and enthusiasm set about working with many friends clearing overgrown foliage, laying chippings and repairing gates and stiles. He loved the work, and the village is richer for his and others efforts.

Graham was a terrifically skilled woodworker, and DIY’er, and Holy Trinity Church was pleased to welcome him as part of their volunteer Church fabric team. He thoroughly enjoyed helping out, and enthusiastically entered his tree to the annual Christmas tree competition.

With all of Graham’s village activities it may be wondered how he had time for much else. However, he was a patient, doting and intensely interested Papa to four grandchildren, who loved him dearly, and a wonderful husband and father to Bonny Ward and two sons, all of whom will miss him dreadfully.

As a footnote, Bonny, Richard, Martyn and all of the family have been overwhelmed by the love and support shown by so many people in the village, since news of Graham’s passing away was announced. The beautiful words and sentiments that have been written and spoken have been a source of great comfort and help and will be treasured always.

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