George Bodman’s 90th Birthday Party

On Saturday, January 11^th 2020 George Bodman celebrated his 90^th birthday, Lambourn organised a party in his honour and everyone was invited!

The party was a great success and so many people came to wish George a Happy Birthday.
The room was adorned in special balloons and photo’s of George throughout his 90 years. Beautiful cakes had been made and donated by so many people and were enjoyed by all with coffee and tea being served by a great team of helpers. The magnificent 90th Birthday Cake was donated and made by Anita Tapp.
George stood for so long welcoming people as they arrived and music was beautifully played on piano throughout the afternoon by Adrian Watson.
A speech was given by Mick Dowdeswell and George gave a reply.

A few photo’s follow and more can be seen on George’s party Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/386350095651277/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

George is passionate about the village, he still lives in the same house where he was born 90 years ago. If you don’t know George, you have missed out!  George is often seen walking through the High Street and invariably takes him quite some time as he stops and chats to everyone or just tips his hat, in the way that ‘gentlemen’ do, and wishes you a cheerful ‘Good Morning’ Good Afternoon’ but he does like a hug from many a female!! George has also been known to take a bucket of water and long mop to the square to clean the stop sign!!

He supplied and planted all of the daffodils and snow drops which adorn the Church every year and also supplied daffodils to Baydon and Eastbury and East Garston churches, how many folk would do that.

A much loved and respected member of our community and it is nice to be able to thank him for his  all he has done and the friendship and joy he brings to many.

George was 2^nd son of Louis and Elsie Bodman and born on January 11^th 1930 with elder brother Louis born 7^th July 1927.

George’s father Louis Snr ran the local Coal Business and expected the boys to join the business, although George really wanted to be a mechanic, but this was not to be.  George was called up for National Service in 1953-55 and really enjoyed that time and the comradery which came with it but on his return home he worked with his father and brother in the coal business and continued after his father died in 1965 with his mother still ‘doing the books’ until her death in 1985.

George and Louis continued the business, and both retired in 1991 when it became the end of an era. 
George has many hobbies apart from his days of ballroom dancing and his magnificent electric organ which has pride of place in his house and still plays, his garden being his passion, which he still continues today, that’s when he is not out with the beloved camera taking anything of interest which happens in the village and needs to be recorded for the archives!

The money which was raised is to go towards a special bench in George’s name.

Photo’s supplied by Ray Monument

Liz Beard