Celebrating the Life of Roger Smith
Alne Wood Park Natural Burial Ground
Friday 27th September
Please arrive by 12 midday for a 12:30pm service start.
Roger’s family and friends are gathering at Alne Park Natural Burial Ground on Friday 27th September at 12:30pm to celebrate his life and say goodbye to him. All those who knew and loved Roger are welcome to attend.
If you would like to bring flowers please consider a single flower stem with an attached note, photo or picture to place on the coffin, there will also be the opportunity before the service to write a note if you wish. All paper and ties must be 100% bio degradeable.
After the service Roger’s family warmly invite you to join them for lunch at the Mother Huffcap pub, here you can continue to share memories and stories of Roger.
You will find information for Alne Park, The Mother Huffcap, dress code and how to make a donation in Roger’s memory in the sections below.
Messages / Comments
Roger’s family welcome any tributes, words of remembrance and stories about Roger so do feel free to leave any messages at the bottom of this webpage. (Please note comments are moderated so do not go live immediately)
Alne Wood Park Natural Burial Ground
Address: Spernal Ln, Great Alne, Alcester B49 6JG
Alne Wood Park Burial Ground
There is no shelter at Alne Wood park natural burial ground so please dress as the weather dictates, pack umbrellas, wear sensible shoes bring sunhats and waterproofs and please don’t forget sun screen and bug spray.
The burial ground is situated on the top of a small hill with rough uneven paths, there will be some vehicle access to the graveside so if you are unable to walk to the graveside please let us know so we can ensure sufficient access available.
The Mother Huffcap
After the service Rogers family warmly invite you to join them at the Mother Huffcap pub.
Here you can continue to share memories and stories of Roger, If you have photos and mementos please bring them along. There will plenty of time to catch up over a cuppa.
Link for directions to the Mother HuffCap
Address : 2 School Rd, Great Alne, Alcester B49 6HQ
Dresscode
Dark clothes are not required for Roger’s farewell. Dress as the weather dictates, comfortable shoes (pack wellies and waterproofs it can get muddy)
Roger loved colour so in his honour please be bright and colourful.
Donations in Roger's memory
If you would like to make a donation in Roger’s memory then please consider the British Heart foundation or the Heart of England Forest charities. Below are links to donate on line, there will also be a collection box on the day of the service.
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If you are attending this funeral and would like to find out more about what we do and what you might experience our ‘About Us’ page is a great place to start.
I have personally known Ruth for about 34 years. We worked together. Through Ruth I came to know Roger as well. I remember them both with great affection.
We have lovely memories of attending Roger and Ruth’s home, Treforrest, Ceredigion, on the occasion of Roger’s 60th birthday. We were made to feel very welcome. It was a lovely occasion with their family and friends. We visited them on one other occasion. I was rather amazed at the challenge that Ruth and Roger took on when buying their new home in Wales, but the 360 degree views were amazing. With their careful planning, loving care and attention, we saw them transfer the house and grounds into an amazing place. They worked very hard, becoming quite self sufficient with their orchard and foods they grew in their garden. Ruth and Roger raised 3 lovely children and now have some amazing grandchildren. Ruth has some lovely memories of her years and adventures with Roger, which will be a great comfort to her going forward.
Marion and Martin Smith, Royston, Hertfordshire.
We remember a magnificent bread making lesson from Roger, followed by some delicious eating. This happened at one of our enjoyable visits to Fforest xx Happy memories dear Roger and Ruth xx
I met Roger at university when we completed our degrees in Conservation and Recreation Management between 2001 and 2004. Roger was always interested, enthusiastic and passionate on the course, and it was an honour to have studied my degree alongside him and to have become friends. Roger always made an effort to stay in contact with me since we finished university, and it’s been lovely to have maintained that contact. I’ve always enjoyed reading Roger’s updates on what he’s been up to each year. I had the opportunity to visit Roger and Ruth at their home in Fforest a few years ago, whilst I was on holiday and staying nearby. It was amazing to see what they had both achieved there and it was really inspiring to see what could be done. Roger was a fabulous uni friend and always very supportive and encouraging. I will miss hearing from him, it’s a great loss. Sending my condolences and best wishes to Ruth and the family. I’m sorry I can’t attend the funeral, but my thoughts will be with you all on the day.
Lisa Hewitt, Harpenden, Hertfordshire.
Remembering happy family times with Roger,Ruth and all their children at Steeple Morden and at Fforest, Tregaron. Always a warm welcome and good company, good food and conversation, peaceful gardens amid the clatter of home-making, and country walks, appreciating the natural world, home grown vegetables, holidays shared camping and with the caravan, family and fun together. Love given and received.
So I’d like to share a prayer by St Francis, another lover of the natural world.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon,
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
Where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not do much seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is on dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen
Fond memories of bonfire night gatherings when Roger and Ruth lived at Fforest. Camping in November, warmed by the welcome, the fun, the family and the biggest bonfire we’ve ever seen!
Love to Ruth, Jenny, Alison, Ewan and families – we’ll be thinking of you all tomorrow.
As a newcomer to my husband’s family many years ago there was always a welcome when we met Roger and Ruth. There are happy memories of a shared weekend when they joined us on Anglesey and ‘my’ Roger (H) often spoke of childhood memories when the cousins were together.
Roger delighted in his own family who are an ongoing wonderful tribute to him and Ruth