There and back again....

First....A heartfelt and very big thank you for all the lovely cards, messages and flowers - so many, we have run out of vases!  Steve would have been very touched, as are Jack, Katie and I.  

Thank you also for the donations in Steve's memory which are already flowing in.  So good to think that the money will go to very worthwhile causes.

As my Facebook friends will know, I've had an email malfunction over the last few days and my messages about access and parking arrangements for the funeral and after service drink have stayed in my "Outbox".

If you plan to come to Steve's funeral/memorial service, I hope you will find the following information helpful.

South Oxfordshire crematorium/memorial garden is set in parkland, in the middle of the countryside so only accessible by car/taxi. There is extensive parking to the rear of the building (follow the signs), plus toilet facilities, disabled access and a hearing loop inside the building.  

Please congregate in the parking area until you see the hearse arrive, then follow us into the venue.  The service will not take more than an hour (maximum).  When it’s over, we will travel back to Oxford.  Jack, Katie and I will join you in the pub around 4.30 pm.

On-street parking in West Oxford is mainly restricted to residents and visitors with a permit.  If you are going to join us for the toast to Steve's memory in the pub after the service then, on your return to Oxford, please leave your vehicle at Seacourt Park and Ride, which is off the A420 Botley Road (there is a dedicated P&R lane off the slip road from Botley A34/A420 Interchange).  From there you can either walk to the pub on Osney Island (about a mile/18-20 minutes easy walk) or catch any of the buses from the P&R or heading into town along Botley Road.  

Alight at Osney - you will see a church on one side of the road, allotment gardens on the other, and Osney Bridge over the Thames in front of you. Cross the main road and head for the river.  The Punter fronts the Thames on Osney Island, at the corner of East St/South St.  

In addition to the Park and Ride car park, there are a limited number of free parking spaces at West Oxford Community Centre which fronts Botley Road, close to the Osney Island pedestrian crossing.  Waitrose “customers” can leave cars in the supermarket car park (also off Botley Road) for up to 90 minutes.  The Station (pay) car park is at Becket Street, closer into town, accessible off the roundabout near the railway bridge/station approach.

If you have mobility problems and need to park your car near the pub or are staying in this area overnight, I can provide a Visitors Permit which allows you to park in residents parking areas anywhere in West Oxford.  The permits are valid for 24 hours from time of arrival.  Let me know if you need one. However, I don’t have an inexhaustible supply of permits, so please request only if needed! 

If you haven’t done so already, please can you let me know whether you will be joining us for the toast in Steve's memory after the service so I can advise the pub about numbers.  No formal catering as such, but the pub does good food if you are hungry.  There is a small pub garden to sit outside if the weather is fine, or we can overflow onto the banks of the Thames (but please don't fall in!)  

I hope to sort out a glass of prosecco/juice or something similar for everyone to toast Steve's memory, some time between 4.45pm and 5.00 pm.