Yoria's Ashes (CTG)

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Liverpool from the ferry in a postcard mailed in 1916

Yoria's Ashes

After a year of death,
we have an appointment

on the Mersey ferry
at 12 noon; Yoria's ashes

repose now in the closet
in their plastic urn,

ready for the final
journey across the ocean.

Age just shy of ninety,
she looked so small

when I identified her,
a personality shriveled,

rendered nut-size -- my
heart shrank in turn.

Now I will carry her
to the muddy Mersey,

ready to accept Yoria's
ashes -- the same river

that bore us to America
almost my lifetime ago.

Christopher T. George

* Gerard Fleming has kindly made a reservation for us on the ferry leaving the Pier Head at 12 noon on Saturday, October 8.

I am desperately trying to get in contact with my Matchett cousins to see if any can attend but no joy yet. This would be especially meaningful because my Mum's cousins Harry and Walter Matchett, who had a ships provisions business in Canning Place, helped to see my mother and I off on the Cunard liner Saxonia when my Mum and I left for New York from the Landing Stage in January 1955.

If any Yo members would like to join Gerard, my wife Donna and myself for the ceremony two weeks tomorrow, the support would be nice. The occasion will be non-religious, and I thought we could have drinks afterward in the bar at the Crowne Plaza where we will be staying, as we usually do when we visit the 'Pool. I understand there is no fee to pay to Mersey Travel other than the regular fares. This is most gracious and Gerard tells me that scattering of ashes on the ferry is popular and you had to book ahead. We were lucky to get the reservation.

Hi Chris

I can not be there due to work but I will be there in spirit thinking of you. I will light a candle for your mum on the day.

This will be very emotional, but you will be glad you did it. Not sure if I told you the story of what we did with my dads ashes? If not pm me and I will tell you. I can not put it on here as it was not all together legal. Im glad we did it and it gave me a good feeling to put him where he is.

How long are you in Liverpool Chris?

Tony

Hi Tony

Thanks, Tony. I will pm you shortly. We will be arriving in Liverpool on Friday, October 7 and departing for London again on the Monday, so basically just for the weekend. Yes it will be emotional but I am looking forward to it. If there is a time you might be able to slip down to the Crowne Plaza or meet you elsewhere sometime during the weekend, let me know.

All the best

Chris

Tony mate, I'm really sorry I never told you I'd booked it for Chris..
I was meaning to PM you and tell you Tony but with one thing and another I forgot..

So thanks Tone.. you putting the Mersey Travel contact details on here was a great help..

Thank you mate...

Gerard..

No probs Gerard. Im just glad there was a slot for Chris.

You were really lucky Chris getting the 12 noon place...
apparently they only do a 10am and 11am ashes scattering cruise..
you were originally booked on the Sunday as the Sat 10 and 11am places were booked..
They made a mistake with your booking as there is a marathon or something on the Sunday
and no ashes scatterings are taking place that Sunday..
because of their booking mistake they took the unusual step of fitting you in on the Sat as you wanted..


Your old Mam mate is looking down on you..


Gerard..

---------- Post added at 03:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:49 PM ----------

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spike

No probs Gerard. Im just glad there was a slot for Chris.

---

Good lad Tone..

of me pop again...


Have a good weekend all..


Gerard..

Chris I would love to come, but can't commit yet - will let you know nearer to the time. Thank you.

Chris, I will try and be there.

----------
Sent from the back of Michael Caine's Mini Cooper S, holding on for dear life......

Thank you, Kev and Burkhilly.

C

Hope it all goes well Chris, as you say the scattering of ashes on the ferry is very popular and I've heard the Mersey Ferry staff are brilliant.

Thanks, Lizzie.

Chris

Journey to the Mersey

It's my mother's 91st birthday
and her ashes wait patiently
to make her final journey

by the front door
in a cloth sack with
the green logo "Dignity"

-- the funeral home chain's logo
offers a modicum of respect. . .
she will journey in my suitcase

through airport security as I
get ready to slide her ashes into
the peaceful Mersey waters.

Christopher T. George

Hi Chris, this journey will probably be filled with emotion, I believe what you are doing for your Mum is wonderful.
I will be on holiday when you scatter her ashes, so will be thinking of you at that time.
Bless.

Thank you, Lesley. Yes it will be emotional... already is as you can tell. Thanks for your kind thoughts!

Chris

Chris, it will be a very sad journey but a day filled with precious memories of your dear Mum. :hug::hug:

Thank you, Diane.

Chris

Hi Chris,
I know its hard but you have so much to be proud of and your mum will always shine through.
Keep strong Chris,Your mum will be so proud.

Thanks, Zap. You'll like this, I think. The urn containing my Mum's ashes is wrapped in a "In Me Liverpool Home" tea towel.

Chris

Hi Chris, twas a pleasure to spend the afternoon with you, Donna and friends. Good to see ya after a few years mate........

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Chris George Yoria's Ashes by ijob, on Flickr

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Chris George Yoria's Ashes by ijob, on Flickr

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Chris George Yoria's Ashes by ijob, on Flickr

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Chris George Yoria's Ashes by ijob, on Flickr

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Chris George Yoria's Ashes by ijob, on Flickr

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Chris George Yoria's Ashes by ijob, on Flickr

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Chris George Yoria's Ashes by ijob, on Flickr

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Chris George Yoria's Ashes by ijob, on Flickr

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Chris George Yoria's Ashes by ijob, on Flickr

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Chris George Yoria's Ashes by ijob, on Flickr

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Chris George Yoria's Ashes by ijob, on Flickr

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Chris George Yoria's Ashes by ijob, on Flickr

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Chris George Yoria's Ashes by ijob, on Flickr

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Chris George Yoria's Ashes by ijob, on Flickr

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Chris George Yoria's Ashes by ijob, on Flickr

Kev :hug:

I have been wondering today how it all went.
Pity the weather wasn't kinder.

I'm sure it's been an emotional and reflective day for Chris. :PDT_Aliboronz_11:

Thanks to Kev for the great photographs and to all who were thinking of us at the moment when my Mum's ashes went into the Mersey. Kev, it was great that you could be with us to welcome my Mum home to Merseyside. As I stated in my remarks, my Mum and I left on the Cunard liner Saxonia from the landing stage in January 1955 bound for New York, and though she henceforth lived in the U.S., mostly in the Baltimore area except for a year in Connecticut when my Dad worked at a hospital in Wallingford, she never forgot her English and specifically Liverpool roots. When I asked where she would like her ashes scattered she said unhesitatingly, "In the Mersey."

Lindy, the weather conditions could have been better but the rain held off for the actual ceremony, the river relatively calm as Mum's ashes slid into the water. Also had a private message from a member who came to the Pier Head and thought it might be a bit rough, so did not join us but nonetheless cast a rose into the water for my mother. Thank you!

In terms of the people in the photographs, you will recognize me in the red Liverpool hat and my wife Donna is the pink jacket. The man seated next to me is Alan Bennett, a cousin who runs an extensive genealogical website which lists my Matchett relatives. His mother Edith Jones is in the light blue -- she and Alan had come over from the Haydock Park area for the occasion. The lady in purple is Sue Shinkfield, along with her husband Neil, a school friend of mine from Quarry Bank High School in the Sixties. Neil was telling us that he was an extra in "Ferry Cross the Mersey", the Gerry Marsden film of 1964 and got paid £5 for the day's shooting. The song by Gerry and the Pacemakers was played during the voyage.

Chris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChrisGeorge

Thanks to Kev for the great photographs and to all who were thinking of us at the moment when my Mum's ashes went into the Mersey. Kev, it was great that you could be with us to welcome my Mum home to Merseyside. As I stated in my remarks, my Mum and I left on the Cunard liner Saxonia from the landing stage in January 1955 bound for New York, and though she henceforth lived in the U.S., mostly in the Baltimore area except for a year in Connecticut when my Dad worked at a hospital in Wallingford, she never forgot her English and specifically Liverpool roots. When I asked where she would like her ashes scattered she said unhesitatingly, "In the Mersey."

Lindy, the weather conditions could have been better but the rain held off for the actual ceremony, the river relatively calm as Mum's ashes slid into the water. Also had a private message from a member who came to the Pier Head and thought it might be a bit rough, so did not join us but nonetheless cast a rose into the water for my mother. Thank you!

In terms of the people in the photographs, you will recognize me in the red Liverpool hat and my wife Donna is the pink jacket. The man seated next to me is Alan Bennett, a cousin who runs an extensive genealogical website which lists my Matchett relatives. His mother Enid Jones is in the light blue -- she and Alan had come over from the Haydock Park area for the occasion. The lady in purple is Sue Shinkfield, along with her husband Neil, a school friend of mine from Quarry Bank High School in the Sixties. Neil was telling us that he was an extra in "Ferry Cross the Mersey", the Gerry Marsden film of 1964 and got paid £5 for the day's shooting. The song by Gerry and the Pacemakers was played during the voyage.

Chris

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I'm glad to hear it went well Chris..


Sorry I could not be there, I'm really pleased for you..
Great pics as well Kev.... nice one..


Gerard.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gerard Fleming

I'm glad to hear it went well Chris..


Sorry I could not be there, I'm really pleased for you..
Great pics as well Kev.... nice one..


Gerard.

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Hi Gerard

Also sorry you could not be with us but many many thanks for your part in making it happen. As you can see from the pics and from the remarks in my post, things went smoothly. However, if you can believe it, despite the letter to you from Mersey Ferries confirming that the "Ashes Ceremony" would be held at 12 noon on the ferry on Saturday, 8 October, the blokes on the ferry said that they had received no notification but that it would not be a problem and the ceremony could go ahead. All's well that ends well. Also sorry mate that we will miss your upcoming photo exhibition. I am sure things will go well! Many congratulations, pal.

Chris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChrisGeorge

Hi Gerard

Also sorry you could not be with us but many many thanks for your part in making it happen. As you can see from the pics and from the remarks in my post, things went smoothly. However, if you can believe it, despite the letter to you from Mersey Ferries confirming that the "Ashes Ceremony" would be held at 12 noon on the ferry on Saturday, 8 October, the blokes on the ferry said that they had received no notification but that it would not be a problem and the ceremony could go ahead. All's well that ends well. Also sorry mate that we will miss your upcoming photo exhibition. I am sure things will go well! Many congratulations, pal.

Chris

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Chris my friend..


I'm made up to have done that little thing for you, good job you had that letter eh..
I'm just sorry I could not be there to witness you scattering your mums ashes..

I'm really pleased it went well, and I'm glad Kev turned up to see you and took those great photos..

You take care mate, tell Donna I was asking..

And have a safe journey home..

God Bless...

Gerard..

Glad it all went well,Chris!

Very nice that Chris. I am glad the day went well.
:handclap:

I was flying home at the very time you had the ashes ceremony Chris, was thinking about you and your family at this special time.

Best Wishes to you Les x

Chris, you have carried out your mothers wishes from afar and you can do no more. Your duty is done, you can content youself and be proud, as your mother would be of you ! You will have the fond memories of the years past, in the knowledge that you have completed the journey for her.

Hello everyone, I decided to join the forum yesterday after returning from the ashes ceremony.

Chris is my 3rd cousin and therefore his mum and mine (Edith not Enid) were second cousins, although none of us had met until yesterday.

It was a privilege to be present to represent the wider family that couldn't be there in body and my only regret is that, due to my losing my voice a day earlier, I was not able to express myself very well on the day. The staff of the ferry were brilliant and although they hadn't been told in advance of the booking they proceeded with the ceremony without any hesitation.

As Chris states I have an extensive website containing many Liverpool families. This includes the MATCHETT family that links Chris and I, but also the more famous RATHBONE's. You can find it at :

http://familytree.cheshirealan.org.uk

Kindest Regards
Alan Bennett

chris ,, sorry for your loss ,,5 years ago my family and i put my dads ashes in the mersey ,,we brought our parish priest ,the ferry stopped for us in the middle and ,,the priest said a few words,, and he was in ,,
it was windy and some of the ashes blew back onto the ferry,,my mum said,every time we felt a bit down just get on the ferry and yeah dad will b waiting,,,,,i will light a candle for your mum in church tonight,,
thanks for sharing ..........

Chris, pleased it all went well. Very emotional I'm sure, but you can be content now in the knowledge that your Mum's wishes have been met....and I'm sure she's very proud of her son.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cheshirealan

Hello everyone, I decided to join the forum yesterday after returning from the ashes ceremony.

Chris is my 3rd cousin and therefore his mum and mine (Edith not Enid) were second cousins, although none of us had met until yesterday.

It was a privilege to be present to represent the wider family that couldn't be there in body and my only regret is that, due to my losing my voice a day earlier, I was not able to express myself very well on the day. The staff of the ferry were brilliant and although they hadn't been told in advance of the booking they proceeded with the ceremony without any hesitation.

As Chris states I have an extensive website containing many Liverpool families. This includes the MATCHETT family that links Chris and I, but also the more famous RATHBONE's. You can find it at :

http://familytree.cheshirealan.org.uk

Kindest Regards
Alan Bennett

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Thanks, Alan, and everyone.

Alan, yes I knew your mother's name was Edith and not Enid. I have corrected that. I am a bit dyslexic and have trouble distinguishing similar names that have the same starting letters... for some years I couldn't understand how Anthony Quinn and Anthony Quayle had the same name.

In terms of Matchett family history, as I mentioned, I recently bought from a bookseller in the Midlands, the below theatre program for the Pavilion Theatre, Lodge Lane, from 21 February 1944 that has my great uncle, Billy Matchett ~The Mirthquake~ on the program. The program has a notice inside saying that in case of an air raid the audience were free to leave but the show would go on. In addition to Uncle Bill, the featured acts were Earle & Babette ("Dancing stars"), Dudley Dale ("Steps-Songs-Stories"), Marie Louise and Partner ("The thrilling trapeze act"), Rhodes & Lane ("Anything for a laugh"), Hal Swain and His Three Swing Sisters, Monte Rey ("at piano: Al Kendall"), and Alan Kay and Partner ("juggling equilibrists").

Cheers

Chris :PDT_Aliboronz_24:

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.

Chris, It was job well done and completing the circle will bring you great comfort. No mean achievement either to get to the destination from so far away.I noticed you went to Quarry Bank. for many years we lived in Greenhill Avenue and three of my children went to Quarry Bank.I attended lots of parents evenings there a very welcoming school. Calderstones Park as you know was at the end of our road and my favourite walk was through by the greenhouses and stables and across to Yew Tree Lane and back down past All Hallows Church. All part of your route to school I would guess.Allerton Road has changed but still has the feel of a village. Gerry Marsden was performing here in New Zealand a while back and we were sitting outside our local bar when my husband spotted him and his wife walking down the street. He was very friendly and shook hands and told us that he loves touring and will do it forever so watch out for him at a theatre near you some time in the future.
regards
Doris

Mum in the Mersey

As you wished
I followed your request
-- not so swish --
our hairdresser, Mr. Bill,
expressed the wish
to be "The Fairy 'Cross
the Mersey" in absentia.

So we gathered, we few,
to remember you,
a new adventure
on a blustery day,
Liverpool child set
sail for horizons wild.

Mum: the urn unwrapped,
I poured your ashes
down a varnished ramp
onto the Mersey breeze:
gone, gone -- vanished
into the waters below.

Christopher T. George

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6031/...aaab449415.jpg

Photograph by Kev Keegan

---------- Post added at 05:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:26 AM ----------

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Doris Mousdale

.

Chris, It was job well done and completing the circle will bring you great comfort. No mean achievement either to get to the destination from so far away.I noticed you went to Quarry Bank. for many years we lived in Greenhill Avenue and three of my children went to Quarry Bank.I attended lots of parents evenings there a very welcoming school. Calderstones Park as you know was at the end of our road and my favourite walk was through by the greenhouses and stables and across to Yew Tree Lane and back down past All Hallows Church. All part of your route to school I would guess.Allerton Road has changed but still has the feel of a village. Gerry Marsden was performing here in New Zealand a while back and we were sitting outside our local bar when my husband spotted him and his wife walking down the street. He was very friendly and shook hands and told us that he loves touring and will do it forever so watch out for him at a theatre near you some time in the future.
regards
Doris

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Thanks, Doris. Yes all those names that you mention bring back memories for me. I bought a couple of Merseybeat CD's yesterday at the ferry terminal. They include tracks by Gerry and the Pacemakers and other Liverpool artists. I appreciate the tip to catch Gerry if he comes to the Baltimore area. Truth be told in the very beginning, I liked Gerry and the Pacemakers more than the Beatles... the sound he and his mates made, though in terms of writing their own songs the Beatles "outpaced" the Pacemakers. :)

You mentioned Greenhill Avenue... we almost went to the Greenhills Pub for the carvery yesterday... an old haunt of my grandad and Uncle Bill (who lived at "Vaudevilla" 165 Booker Avenue, so it was his local) but the Liverpool marathon was finishing off so I thought we might have some difficulties driving there... we elected to have a meal at the Pump House at Albert Dock instead.

All the best

Chris

Hi Chris,
An aquaintance of mine has just passed on,and also wished for their ashes to be scattered on the Mersey,though some relatives were a little dubious,until I told them of your recent visit! They now look to be going ahead with his wish. R.I.P. Ian:(

Chris,
I often listen to Merseybeats stuff loud in the car its amazing how theraputic it is and how it can bring back memories. Mine are of Saturday night in clubs like the Iron door and Blue Angel listening and dancing to bands finishing up at the Pier Head for last bus home but also having the "emergency" taxi fare just in case.The innocence of youth and strict parents.
I know Booker Avenue well and often walked through from the park at one time we looked at a place called Vedala Towers but chose Greenhill Ave as it was closer to Quarry Bank Synagogue is still going strong and it is a lovely part of Liverpool.When I do visit I always have a drive around Calderstones and through Woolton village and back through Allerton to Penny Lane. Hope your trip home was restorative and its effect will come through your new writing.
regards
Doris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wsteve55

Hi Chris,
An aquaintance of mine has just passed on,and also wished for their ashes to be scattered on the Mersey,though some relatives were a little dubious,until I told them of your recent visit! They now look to be going ahead with his wish. R.I.P. Ian:(

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Good to know the relatives will follow through with your acquaintance's wish to scatter his ashes on the Mersey. The scattering of my Mum's ashes was very tastefully handled by Mersey Ferries and I would encourage them to go ahead and contact Mersey Ferries to arrange a similar ceremony.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Doris Mousdale

Chris,
I often listen to Merseybeats stuff loud in the car its amazing how theraputic it is and how it can bring back memories. Mine are of Saturday night in clubs like the Iron door and Blue Angel listening and dancing to bands finishing up at the Pier Head for last bus home but also having the "emergency" taxi fare just in case.The innocence of youth and strict parents.
I know Booker Avenue well and often walked through from the park at one time we looked at a place called Vedala Towers but chose Greenhill Ave as it was closer to Quarry Bank Synagogue is still going strong and it is a lovely part of Liverpool.When I do visit I always have a drive around Calderstones and through Woolton village and back through Allerton to Penny Lane. Hope your trip home was restorative and its effect will come through your new writing.
regards
Doris

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Hi Doris

We drove out of Liverpool through the southern suburbs where I grew up, passed down Park Road and past the Ancient Chapel of Toxteth, drove through Aigburth Vale where I worked for Martin's Bank in 1968, past St. Anne's Church where my parents married February 22, 1944, and the house at 76 Aigburth Hall Avenue where I lived for a number of years on and off (it was my grandparents' house). One reason we went that way is that Donna had a plan to mail some of our dirty clothes back to ourselves and I remembered the Post Office on Booker Avenue. It was still there and the clerk was very helpful in helping us to send off the packages. As you can see, the drive evoked many memories... drove from thence up Booker past Robin Hood's Stone and Billy Matchett's former house at 165 Booker Avenue, then along Mather toward Speke and the south. I went to Verdala Towers once I think in my youth as my grandparents had a friend whose mother lived there.

All the best

Chris

A thousand pictures:
what you meant to me --
a sunset, a rainbow,
a single red rose drifting on the river.

Everything
reminds of you: sweet, bitter.

In the Mersey waters,
we scattered your ashes;
you remain with us forever.

Hi Chris

Sorry I could not get up there.

Im glad it all went to plan. It must have been emotional but you will get a good feeling that you put your mum where she wanted to be.

Take care mate.

Tony

Thanks, Tony. Yes a very satisfying occasion. Also I think it made it easier that my Mum died a year ago, August 24, 2010, a month short of her 90th birthday. The passage of time made the scattering of the ashes easier to handle than if it had been done soon after her passing. Once again, Tony, many thanks for your help in making this happen and for your interest and support generally.

All the best

Chris