The arrangements made so far to celebrate the life of Carol Bates are:

Wednesday 14 March – cremation in UK for close family members. This will be conducted as Carol would have wished i.e. no fuss, no hymn singing just as simple as possible. The boys have made dried flower tributes for the service and afterwards these will be taken to the celebrations on Guernsey and Isle of Man.

Friday 30 March – Guernsey          Cock & Bull from 2 pm onwards. There will be a ‘formal’ section to the proceedings around 3 pm.

Sunday 6 May – Isle of Man                 Sefton Hotel from 2 pm onwards. The music will be provided by Concert Brass from 2 pm and again there will be a ‘formal’ section around 3 pm.   At some time during this weekend the immediate family will be scattering Carol’s ashes at Scarlett, which will be forever her favourite place.

Between the two occasions we should cover all that Carol enjoyed:- a good laugh, a good pint of Guinness and good brass band music. Please come along prepared to laugh and remember the good times we all shared with Carol.

We have decided that instead of flowers that donations should be made to the charity Smile4Wessex which is the organisation raising funds for the Neurological Centre where Carol was transferred to from Guernsey and to whom we will be for ever indebted for the professionalism and kindness they showed to Carol and ourselves.

 The website is www.smile4wessex.org

 And the special web link to make donations is

 http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CarolBates

There will be collection boxes at both island venues for further donations.

The family is also planning to take part in the Great South Run, 28 October, Portsmouth, in memory of Carol. This is a 10 mile race and 5k Fun Run. If anyone wishes to join us then please do.

Words by Terry Bates. Photos by Rob Elliott