Dearest Angela, I am so grateful for our friendship - born out of the friendship between Jamie and Ben since they were tiny. I can’t really remember a time when you weren’t around. Looking back, I realise that every single time the good stuff happened - PTA summer balls (who could forget that stage dive!!!), Party in the Playground, Cub Camps, Secret Santa nights, girls nights out, parties - you were always there. And many times, you’d made those events happen or had been in the thick of organising it. You worked so hard behind the scenes - rotas for Lent Fairs, Christmas Fairs, PiP, organising class collections, all the work you did for Scouts. You even set up the WhatsApp group for our lovely bunch of Soon-to-be-Challoners-Year-7s, despite being so ill. You were never pushy about it, but you were our quiet leader. You never complained, you never made any fuss and you never let your illness define you. Wild horses wouldn’t have kept you away from your last Young Voices. Even when you were ill, you were still my ‘go to’ person, the person I’d always ask for help with Ben and I know you were the rock for so many of us. If I wasn’t there, you would be the one Ben would head for. Thank you for all the sleep overs, especially when my dad had his accident. I always had complete peace of mind when Ben was with you. I treasure our times together - too many to list but here’s a few. A quiet night with Jacqui and a few others at the Apple Tree, at the end of which when the barman came round to call last orders, you innocently, matter of factly said ‘one more bottle for the road, ladies?’ which led to Jacqui and I staggering home smashed and texting each other in our respective kitchens whilst eating toast. Forever known as Toast Night and we shall always blame you for our hangovers, you scamp. The most wonderful New Year’s Eve get together - we had simultaneously invited the same group of friends and you insisted on hosting because you had more room than me. We had such a lovely evening and I hope you were happy surrounded by friends and family who adore you. Trick or treating around Woodhill with Jamie and Ben and just chatting away as the boys filled their buckets. Sports Days and Saturday morning football. Quiet, demure, classy, elegant Angela - just not when it came to supporting your boys. Always the loudest supporter! On my first Secret Santa night a few years ago, you, the master tactician, took home my gift, the little wooden star with fairy lights in it, and the silly little ‘Dear Santa’ sign that made me laugh when I saw it in your kitchen this last NYE. And this year, I brought home two beautiful candle holders that, lo and behold, you had brought as the gift. So things came full circle. Helping to set up Cub Camp last year - you volunteered for more sessions than anyone and it was just lovely being up at Paccar with you, setting up tents, slicing cucumbers and getting Ben and Jamie’s sleeping quarters ready on that gloriously hot weekend as the boys had fun fun fun. Just so many mornings in the playground (more often than not, you in your high viz jacket as you were off for a bike ride), just chatting. I can hear your ‘Hallooo!’ greeting now. I can’t believe I won’t hear it again. Last but not least, I was so glad you and Alan were able to help me celebrate my 50th birthday last summer. I have a video of the two of you at the end of the night when the tough crew were still partying away, dancing in the middle of the circle to the Proclaimers 500 Miles. It’s a short video but at the end of the snippet you are throwing your arms into the air and your face is a picture of joy. So many of us have shed so many tears at our loss - you were loved by so many people, Angela. But there are so many joyful, happy times to remember and I promise you I will always smile when I think of you and like everyone else, I will never forget you. You were the very best of us and we will all do our bit to honour your memory and help take care of Alan, Danny and Jamie. Keep dancing and smiling that beautiful smile of yours. With much love, Lorna, James and Ben xxx