RIP Cecil

Just back from Dardistown. Nicely done, we sang a little of Starman as he arrived and in the cremetorium the played Strawberry Fields. Rob Nolan did a fantastic eulogy and then it ended with More Than a Feeling. A good turnout and welll done all.

Thanks Brian-some nice articles in the papers:

Edited by Pogue Mahoney - 18-November-2020 at 15:15

Nice turnout of old friends for Cecil at Dardistown today.

Lovely posts and links above guys. Well done to all - and to Pat for his lovely poetic eulogy. Ragin I couldn't get out today but such is life...

I've posted lots of stuff in the last weeks and months about Cecil and the Grove, but the most recent thought I am having on all this - and I've been reflecting in it all especially in the last few days - is that, obviously there is a huge amount of love for Cecil and the Grove and the times we all had there. And Cecil's passing is a tragedy in itself. But also I think it's (another) connection to our teenage years gone now. A few connections have been broken for me this year - couple of old St Annes comrades-in-arms gone (JB, I'm lookin up at you amongst others), some great musicians, local and far-flung, that I had great affection for, both musically and the decent people they seemed to be, and especially thinking of Ditch here. And so Cecil is the latest - and probably the most significant in ways - in that long parade. What it all means I'm not sure, just a sign I suppose that time is moving on for us all, and there's no holding back time!

...and, not for today obviously but Pogue raises an interesting point in passing about the forums, the radio show etc. This is where the inability to physically gather is a real pain. And we need to be coming together round a table to chat, cry, sing and raise a glass to - lots of people and things. And we will, hopefully sometime next year.

Anyway above kinda random thoughts nearly, I hope they don't sound too maudlin, they are not meant to be. And the main thing I guess is, we are still here - and we keep going, and remembering those who are gone - always

Rolo, Sean, Gerry.

Nice posts all.

To concur with Rolo it must have been a real pity that you all couldn't gather afterwards which is an old Irish tradition. Cecil would have loved you guys to go celebrate his passing.

Echoing Gerrys point about time passing and our generation of friends and musicians gradually passing on, it certainly is a reality check.

This thought crossed my own mind when I heard Cecil was 81 which is only 14 years older than me at 67.

In relation to the Grove it would be great to try and keep Grove social media, radio shows, meet ups when possible again, one to one contacts going in order to keep the Grove spirit alive.

I know I certainly will do my best and when you're living abroad it's a great connection to great friends met through the Grove itself.

We all have shared a unique experience by just being Grovers.

Stay safe everybody and some day soon we shall gather again and celebrate as only Grovers can.

Lol Poguey! Don't worry, when you kick the bucket I'll do a very special eulogy for you - on the head of a pun

Just kiddin of course - hope all is good there, it's an awful shame some if us can't get together and celebrate Cecil and the Grove in the "traditional" way! Well, some day...

Great posts Pogue.

Re cannoonising Cecil.

He had no time for the Catholic Church or any religion for that matter. A subject discussed in Derek's house from time to time.

So a sainthood wouldn't be to his liking.

Our respect and love is enough for him.

He was greatly touched the hundreds of best wishes he received whilst in the hospice and as you mention Pogue the condolence book echoes the outpouring of sentiment to our Cecil.

I suppose under the circumstances everyone done what they could to say their goodbye to Cecil and i have to agree with Rolo that it would have been nice to get together and raise a glass to the man as is our way ,and send him on his way but i am sure it will be arranged some time in the near future what keeps playing in my head is all the sl*gging that used to be going on about , will this grove reunion be the last one  has at last played out 

Cecil was mad into football and attended local matches.

He was a big Manchester United fan.

His son Rob followed in his dad's footsteps and Rob's two sons are playing for a team. Rob attends their matches.

And Joey, someday down the road we'll have that get together.

Am so glad I went back for the reunion last year because it was rumoured to be the last.

Talking with Cecil in Derek's house a few days later Cecil was determined to continue.

Gerry, we just don't know what's around the corner.

My own life has taught me that lesson. Full of ups and downs and surprises and shocks.

So am living a good life now in a region that makes me happy and suits my personality and my budget.

I was chatting to Derek Farrell the last couple of days and he said Cecil was actually a very good footballer himself. He says in the documentary about having a kickaround in the summer before the Grove started, really live that idea. Marion and myself bumped into Cecil about 15 months ago at a do and he chatted to us about football for nearly an hour. Marion follows Liverpool and I am an Arsenal fan so we had a good old natter. A nice memory I was only thinking of the last few days.