Friday 19 October 2012

Darren's funeral

On a beautiful autumn day family, friends and fell runners came from far and wide to pay their last respects to Darren Holloway. Even the big chapel at Bramcote, close to the A52 between Derby and Nottingham, couldn’t hold everyone who were there in spite of dozens of us standing at the back, including a group of cyclists who arrived fully kitted out in Lycra on their bicycles 

The service was relaxed and very much a celebration of a sadly too short life (Darren was only 42 when he passed away), but a life into which had been packed a hell of a lot. There was music played, only one hymn sung but several eulogies including wonderful words from Pennine fell runner Andy Howie and Fell Pony Steve Taylor. A slide-show was shown with images of Darren racing, training in the Peak, in the Alps cycling and on his successful 2008 Bob Graham Round

After the service ended everyone moved on to Morley Hayes golf club, where sandwiches were eaten, beer drunk but with broad smiles now replacing the earlier tears. Stories were told and great races and challenges discussed including Borrowdale, Ben Nevis, the Tour of Pendle and the Tour de France

To be honest I always have mixed felling about going ‘home’ to the Midlands (my life is very much in Yorkshire now) but I’ll never forget yesterday. It was a wonderful opportunity to catch-up with old friends, make some new friendships, plan future adventures and be part of something that I wouldn’t have wanted to miss for the world

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