Today we welcome all our family and friends. Recent weeks have shown me how well loved Mum is by her family, all of her friends and across the wider community.  People still approach me asking about mum and remembering how she taught either themselves or their children. As a family we appreciate all the words of comfort that you have shared with us. I have spoken to so many people who have their own special memories of Mum. It is remarkable that today there are probably ninety people attending this celebration either here today or joining us through the webcast. This includes families from across the country and friends from Switzerland. It gives my family great comfort to know that Mum remains so highly respected and loved by you all.  
 
We all have our personal memories of my mother.  She touched all of our lives throughout her long life. When Mum was born there was a different monarch on the throne.  The ‘Valleys’ of South Wales were facing extreme poverty. Just consider how the world has changed over ten decades.  To celebrate mums 90th birthday my children gave mum a copy of the Times for her birth date in 1930. There was a brief column reporting the daily radio programmes. However, it also included an announcement for an experimental broadcast of television. Just think of the incredible changes that mum has witnessed during her lifetime. 
 
A lasting memory of my mother was that she was always curious about the wider world. First thing in the morning, I would always take her a coffee and two Rich Tea biscuits. She would often ask what was happening in the wider world and what does it mean. The sense of wonder never left her.  With reduced mobility over recent years the source of information increasingly came from television documentaries, seeking to learn and understand, politics, Sciences and Natural History, even Cosmology. 
 
Throughout her long life dancing remained important. It established friendships for both mum and dad across Wales, Bristol and more recently in Warminster. When my parents retired from the Dance Floor they both became avid watchers of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.  Family holidays were always important, it opened up the wider world for all of us. Mum was always the planner and organiser. She would always know what we should go and see. Mum was the decision maker. 
 
Even during the hard days of the last few months mum remained focused. Even though at times it was difficult to express herself she held many clear memories of her childhood and her life long friend Mary. Mum explained to me about a shepherd and how she loved his dog.  At first I didn’t understand. What she was remembering was a pinnacle of rock called the Lonely Shepherd on the Llangottack escarpment. Next to which was another rock locally known as the shepherd’s dog. Mum was so pleased that I understood. 
 
I must be honest with you all. I find it difficult to talk about mum in the past tense. Throughout my life she has remained a strong and kind ainfluence. The very last thing that mum asked me to do for her was to find a photograph. I knew by instinct what she was thinking of. It was a photograph of herself with my father, her parents and parents-in-law. I remember clearly how much she valued that photograph which she cradled so carefully before passing into a very deep and restful natural sleep. 
 
Mum, it remains a great privilege to be your son. 
 
Nos Sda, rest in love.