Celebration of Life for 
Les Parkins 
Friday 28th February 2025 at 2:00pm
Alton Golf Club

Welcome

Hello and a big welcome to you all.
I am Jenny Knight, some of you may recognise me from Harriet and Rob’s wedding, but today I shall be guiding you through this Celebration of Life service for the lovely Les.

As I look around the room, I know there are people from all aspects of Les’ life.  The space is full, and I am told that if the room was bigger it would no doubt have easily filled itself again.  

If Les was here, he would likely be looking back at you all thinking “was I really this popular!”  

We are of course joined by Les’ immediate, and some of his extended family, and I know that they, including Les’ lovely wife Audrey, would love to chat to you so do please stop to say hello later.

 

 

So, as we all gather here today, in this setting that was so familiar to Les, I am honoured to stand here to talk about him and to help to provide a space, and a moment in time to reflect and to express feelings.

As his dear family and friends, I am sure that you come here today with heavy hearts.  Hearts that are missing his vital presence.   But it is important to remember that this afternoon, we are going to celebrate the wonderful 88 years of life that Les shared with us.

I have no doubt there might be some tears, there will be smiles and even laughter, because it is ok to do all of these things, and it is great to remember.  

It is important that today everybody knows how valued they were by Les. You will of course all have your own memories of him, pieces of a jigsaw that when put together make for a wonderful insight into his life, and that is just what we will do today.  

With the help of his family and friends, I have some words to share that will provide an insight into his life . . .  

a life that was well lived by a man that was well loved.

A snapshot. . .

88 years of life began for Les in 1936, however, many other things were happening around the World, the Berlin Olympics took place with some of the youngest ever medal winners, and Fred Perry won Wimbledon for the third time!

It was the start of what was to become a new era in World events, and having lived through the second World War, Les went on to experience all sorts of things happening around him.  

In his first decade on the earth, during the 1940s, the NHS was established, and a US Air Force man broke the Sound Barrier.  The 50s saw the first organ transplant, and in 1961 Black & Decker cordless drill was invented, not to mention the Black & Decker workmate (which I understand is still hanging in his garage today!).

Over the next five decades, Les saw people travel to the moon, saw Britain have its first female prime minister, in the 80s the World changed beyond imagination with the invention of the World Wide Web.  

But how did this part of the World change now that Les was a part of it?

 

How it all began . . .

Les was born on 15th June 1936 at The Old Lodge, Brook, New Forest, Hampshire.
His proud parents, Burton & Winifred Florence lived in Oakhanger village with Les and his 3 younger brothers, John, Phillip and Norman. 

I am told that the school that he went to in Blackmoor still looks pretty much as it did back then, and Les would have had to walk two miles there and two miles back each day in all weathers. A far cry from the convenience of cars that we have today and the lifts from parents that younger generations now enjoy.

 

His Childhood

Les’ family & friends have provided details about his life, in order that we might understand who he was, his upbringing, and all the changes that he will have experienced in his lifetime. He grew up in a rural village surrounded by heath and woodland, the perfect environment for the 4 boys to explore and let off steam. 

The family home was small.  It had two rooms downstairs, two upstairs (the brothers shared one room), and for the younger guests here, this one will put things into perspective. They had no toilet or bathroom inside the house!
However, the kitchen was always warm, a real heart of their family home, and there was always something cooking on the range. Les’ mum would be constantly repairing/making clothes and managing to feed a big family on next to nothing.  She was a good cook and made the best of everything.  

Apparently on bath day Les would always play the age card and as the eldest boy, would get the hottest/cleanest bath!  An early insight into his cheeky personality 😊

The village had one pub The Red Lion and by 1944 (when Les was 8 years old) the area was take over by the Canadian army.  Most of the equipment was stockpiled there ready for the D-Day invasion. 
I am told that the Parkins boys remember it for how generous the troops were with their chocolate . . . .or so they thought.  They were in fact giving them laxatives!

 

Growing up. . .

It was at senior school where Les would meet twins Goff & Jeff Thorne, a friendship that would later lead to the founding of Thorne & Parkins, the building company that was to dominate his working life. 

However, as he became a young adult, and as with all 18–21-year-olds at that time, Les was conscripted to National Service, where he chose the RAF.   I am told he would always remind Richard (his son-in-law) that he was a Brylcream boy not a squaddie!  I know that he didn’t really enjoy National Service, and whilst the banter would no doubt have been to his liking, the inspections and uniform checks would have been his downfall.
 

From that time, Les then had many moments of note including:

In 1954, which saw him joining Oakhanger cricket club, where many family memories were made.
These include summer weekends, with Les’ girls playing in the woods, everyone enjoying homemade teas and witnessing a special bond that their dad had with the players.  
The happy times continued on from the cricket pitch to holidays and at dances, and there was a carefree feeling to this time in their lives.  The club won many trophies and accolades over the years and saw plenty of friendships being built too.

Also in 1954, Les signed up for carpentry and joinery, studying at Guildford Technical college whilst employed by Gardner’s & Kemp, and it was at Gardner’s that he met his lovely Audrey who worked in the office. . . .

Their first date was at Alton Fun Fair and under the chaperone of Audrey’s younger brother Jim.

As romance blossomed so did Les’ love of Cricket and with Audrey by his side it quickly became a major part of life for both of them.  Audrey would manage the scoring and Les was the team captain.  

The club won many trophies and packed a competitive punch, but for as many stories on the field, the friendship bonds off the field led to lifetime associations that Les held true.  

Oakhanger’s last game was at Jubilee playing fields against Alton, injuries a plenty, it was then that Les found his love of golf and started playing at Petersfield.

Golf Memories

For Les there was an undeniable love for golf that was building quickly, and along with friends Jim, John, Bob, and Syd he found his new favourite pastime.  

Before we continue, we have two special people that have written some lovely words about Les.  They represent the golf contingent here today and these next words are from his great friend Syd Williamson, who he met whilst at his old club in Petersfield. 

“I first met Les at Petersfield club and we became very close friends.  He invited me and my wife Marion to his home to meet his wife Audrey and some of his friends. We all went on many golf outings together, and I can remember that on two of the trips he put on a shirt and I had to tell him it was MY shirt and on another trip I was looking for my shoes only to find that Les had them on.  

Les was a joker, he loved to make people laugh! Syd confirms this by telling me that Les was the best friend he ever had, and that he had a fantastic sense of humour.

Next we have some words from Steve Crooke, one of Les’ great friends from the club here in Alton:

“Les was initially a member at Petersfield golf club for many years. He used to get the first tee time in the morning, and they would play the 18 holes in 2.5 - 3 hours. 

In 2002 it became difficult to get the first tee-time, so Les joined Alton Golf Club. He fitted in well here and he could cope well with the hills.  The following year a group of us went on a golfing holiday in South Africa organised by Gill Neate.

Gill would take us to golf and to different bars and restaurants, including a seafood restaurant in Cape Town.  
Les asked to try some of my mixed seafood that came in a large pan, and I said he could help himself.  
After a while, he declared that it was like chewing a condom and asked what on earth it was.  Once the group had stopped laughing, they explained it was calamari and from that point onwards, Les remained the star of the show all holiday!

When he retired, he got involved with volunteers that work around the course and club house. Anything to do with wood, Les was your man . . . including burning it! 

He had a fire at the bottom of the 6th hole, but it must have been a bit too close to an old ash tree. He returned the next day to find that the ash tree had been on fire and was slowly burning away.  It took a couple of days for it to completely burn out, but it actually needed removing anyway, so Les unknowingly did everyone a favour!

Les was awarded an honorary membership for all the voluntary work that he did for the club, which is normally reserved for the officers of the club. This shows just how much he was respected by all of the members. 

Steve says: I started working with Les in 2017 around the time he had his pacemaker fitted. We worked on various projects and were always taking the mickey out of one another. Les would always ask if there was anything that needed burning and occasionally, I would say yes, and he would head off to get the paper and the lighter with a big smile on his face. 

As time moved on Les had to stop playing golf and the last two competitive games he played were with me as his partner. The first was the members against the ex- members and we had to play two Irish chaps, Wille and Brian.

They wanted to play for £1.00 hole and I said “hang on we are both pensioners, we will play for 50p a hole!” thinking that we didn't have a chance. . .  but we only went and won £3.50!  l was so proud of Les, and he was over the moon. He couldn’t believe it! The other occasion, we had a 4 ball at a course in Reading. Me and Les against two members from Alton and we won that too.  Happy, happy days. 

At this time, Les was confined to doing light duties, he got very frustrated because he couldn’t do things that he used to do.  He would still light the log burner in the club and push the buttons on the log splitter and he certainly made my life easier. . . .

He loved coming up to the club for the camaraderie and the mickey taking.  He would have hated not being able to get about.  It is a blessing that he didn’t suffer too much. Les was a very special friend, and it was a privilege to have known him.” 

Thank you to Syd and Steve for their lovely words and memories.

Les’ family acknowledge how much the club here at Alton has done for their dad, especially as he enjoyed his latter years here.  He always felt welcome and very much a part of the atmosphere.  

They would like to express a huge thank you to everyone at Alton Golf Club that looked after their Dad and made the club a place he loved to be, and, be part of.  They also acknowledge that you must all be breathing a sigh of relief that anything that doesn’t need burning is now safe!

 

 

The man, the legend. . . 

So, what about Les the person?  Well, we know from the stories so far that he was full of love for his friends and family, he loved jokes, loved making people laugh, and he was happiest when those he cared about were around him.  He was a real party lover, and I am told, was famous for shaking his moves on the floor!

We also know that sport played a huge part in his life, it helped to make him who he was.  He learned great sportsmanship, and he was a creator of community.  His family says they like to think of Les as the social media of his day!  He was a friendly hub for everyone and drew people towards his great energy.

But what about the rest of his story?

 

Family – early years

Rewinding to 1958, He took leave to get married. Audrey was only 12 days off of her 21st, and Les was nearly 22 and it is here that his new family story begins.  They married at The Alton Congregational Church (now apartments) and went to Hastings for their honeymoon. 

Audrey moved into her family home whilst Les completed his national service.  They then moved to Old Odiham Road (next door to the in-laws) where all 3 girls started life.

Lyn was born in 1961, taking them from a couple to a family unit, followed by Sallie in 1965. Their family was completed in 1973 with the arrival of Julie, and so a lifetime of wonderful memories began as a family unit of 5.

The lovely Audrey was a huge support to Les, seeing him through tough times with his business, cheering him on during his sporting achievements, and all the while making sure the family was ok, and the home ran like clockwork.  

Les was the earner in the family and made sure that through his hard work and determination, that everyone was provided for and taken care of throughout future years. 
When Julie was only 6 months old the family moved to a new house on the Wooteys estate, to No 35 Rookswood, and the family made firm lifelong friends with neighbours Bob & Brenda at no.37, Jim & Tricia at no.36 (Les brother and sister-in-law), and Chris & Richard at no.34.  

Les and Audrey would be the last of the original families to leave Rookswood, after some 46 years, but the friendships continued, and right up to Les’ dying day (and even to this day), those neighbours have been supportive of the entire family and they cannot thank you enough for being there for them.

 

Work

It was in 1973, and now in his thirties, that he formed a very special construction company of Thorne & Parkins, a new building company that he made with his old school friends Goff and Jeff. 
Les’ great, and very close friend Goff tragically lost his life in an accident shortly after the business was founded, but Jeff remained as a silent partner.  

Les was truly devastated to lose his great friend, and budding business partner, and all of their dreams and discussions, but, he kept going, and was soon to be joined by his very own brothers Norman, Phillip & John and even his nephew David.

As the years went by this newfound family business went on to thrive, built upon trust and a wonderful reputation, and there are still many houses around this area of Alton and indeed some further afield that bear the stamp of Thorne and Parkins.  

A lovely family legacy for them all.

I know he had many traits that made him memorable, but are there any of you here remember Les whistling while he worked?  It was quite a trademark of his. 
 

Family – later years

Les was a man surrounded by ladies.  He had a loving wife Audrey and three strong, and spirited daughters, and he was proud of them all.  BUT I am told that he appreciated the balance of things when the family was joined by his lovely sons-in-law Richard and James!

Later, the arrival of Harriet and Max, Les’ grandchildren, was a wonderful moment in his life.  He was beyond proud of them both and enjoyed being part of their lives growing up.  Now that they are both adults, he would enquire about them even from his hospital bed.  He was in short, a very proud grandad. . . .

Readings:

Harriet and Max have actually written some lovely words and they would like these memories shared here today. . .Harriet has asked me to read hers on her behalf.

Reading by Harriet: 

"Grandad was genuinely the most positive person I have known (other than when talking about modern technology). He always had a cheeky smile on his face, which inevitably always put a smile on my face whenever I saw him. 
When we were children growing up, he was always so supportive of everything that we did or would talk about doing. Always keeping us honest and reminding us of reality but also encouraging us to just go for things. 

Some of my favourite things he used to say included always telling us to “be good”, even though when he would leave to go home he’d then always say "don't do anything I wouldn’t do”, which essentially means that anything goes! It always used to make me chuckle over the last decade or so whenever we’d ask him how he was and his stock response would be “well, I woke up this morning”! 

Grandad also loved talking to my husband Rob about football and giving him stick about Arsenal losing. Grandad was always so interested in our lives and whatever we were doing. In my previous job working in the crypto-currency industry, he’d always be asking me about bitcoin and where he could buy one! I told him that it would be tricky with him not using a smartphone or computer!  

He was also always keen to catch up with Max and me about our jobs and whatever we were getting up to in London.  I will always remember Grandad for how kind and generous he was, as well as his jokes and countless funny stories about his life, which will stay with me forever. Grandad will always be in our lives and we feel so lucky to call him our Grandad."

 

Max has his words that he would now like to share. 

Reading by Max: 

"I want to use today as an opportunity to thank Grandad for everything he has done for me. 

Some of my earliest and fondest memories involve running in from school, picking up the house phone, and demanding he drive down to play cricket with me in the Garden! 

Being the selfless person he is, he would never let me down and I can remember playing catch for hours until it was virtually impossible to see the ball anymore. I was captain of the Alton cricket team for years, and at the time, didn’t realise how lucky I was to have such an amazing role model. 

In the latter stages of Grandad’s life, I loved coming to visit him and Nannie when I was home from London. 
A particular highlight was the first time I introduced him to my Girlfriend, Maeve. Knowing his cheeky sense of humour, there is always a slight worry he is going to say something embarrassing!  True to form, his first words to her were “I’ve seen more fat on a greasy chip”.  While it wasn’t the welcome Maeve was expecting, we still reminisce about how funny that moment was to this day. 

Grandad was such a unique character and taught me so many valuable life lessons. He never complained (unless it was about too many foreigners in football), he never put himself before anyone else, and he went through life cracking jokes — even in the face of adversity. 

The line that always comes to my mind when I think about Grandad is — “They don’t make them like him anymore”, and we will all miss him so much.

We’ve just heard about Harriet’s partner Rob, and Max’ partner Maeve, who made family celebrations complete. Les loved them too, and I know everyone enjoyed the fun debates at family gatherings and has great memories of him that they cherish.

 

Final years

Les was diagnosed with heart failure at 80, and as it started to impact everyday life, the family, helped by the cardio team at the hospital, persuaded him to move to a more accessible home. 

They found Berehurst, and to Les’s delight it needed some work, in particular a new kitchen!  Time to call in the mates!  It was like old times except he was much older (as were they). Things would take much longer and the family wished Les had agreed a fixed price, not a daily rate!  But Les loved it . . .his last swan song!  

So, after nearly 5 decades at Rookswood, Audrey and Les moved to Berehurst on the other side of town.
It didn’t take long for Les to get to know the new neighbours and he began extending offers of help to everyone. . . .including offering to lend out his much loved party tent!

Les never complained and carried on with life the best he could!  A shining example of his generation and how they just crack on!  We all have some big boots to fill.  During his final years the hospital saw him making regular visits, including the fitting of 2 separate pacemakers.  

In December 2020, he was taken in with a chest infection, and Sallie will never forget the call late at night from her Dad saying “I got this COVID thing, it does not look good, can you tell Mum”.  Hardly surprising as Les was a Daily Mail reader, he thought his number was up!  But in true ‘Les style’ he came out, and had 14 days quarantine in the upstairs bedroom at Berehurst, with meals being sent up on the Stannah stair lift!

He was finally allowed out Christmas Eve and they all spent Christmas Day together!

All of the girls, and Audrey, became very involved in their Dad’s healthcare, Julie the pharmacist filling up the pill boxes, Lyn in charge of nutrition and filling the freezer with wholesome foods, and Sallie managed his appointments brilliantly, with Audrey as amazing support too.  

I’m told that Les’ taste would change daily, liking something one week then disliking it the next!  Sallie says “how Lyn did not threaten to give him some of the infamous Calamari I do not know!”.
I know that circumstances (and to some extent, his character traits😊) would test your patience ladies, but you all did fantastically, and you all contributed to his positivity and quality of life.

As time went along, medical staff would be honest about his condition, which Les appreciated, he liked a straight talker, and it became clear that things were then taking a turn.

It is worth noting here that Les had at least 5-8 years of extra life because of the cardio team at the hospital, and indeed his pacemakers.  But, on the 24th January 2025, Les passed away and the World lost one of its brightest stars.

 

Today

Les’ passing has no doubt left a void in your lives.  He is no longer here to share banter, or to chat to, he is, however, held in loving memory in your minds.

He would want you to remember him, and to move forwards, and to show the World that he was here, that he played a big part in this life, and that he was loved. . .and he’d want you to know that he loved you all too.

He was hardworking, honest, non-materialistic, straight talking (sometimes blunt) but he held family, friendships and helping others at the forefront of his life.  He was a gentleman, with old-fashioned values and a heart of gold.  He loved people, and he would do anything for anyone, even if it was a struggle for him.

Knowing Les, you know that he would have been totally awestruck that you all turned out to celebrate his life. His family tells me that he would always be first to the bar to buy a round, so please make sure you have a drink on him this afternoon.  

Time to remember

We should all take examples from how Les lived his life.  Making time for each other, making time for kindness, and doing good to leave a positive mark on this World.  Remember Les for the things he loved, family, friendship, his work, sport and nature, all the things that money can’t buy!

Remember the funny things he did, and talk about him often, hold his memory close, for it has been a true blessing to have known him.

 

Poem

We now have a poem that was read earlier by Lyn as part of the eulogy from Les’ family, and we would like to include it again here, for you all to hear.

A Life Well Lived is a precious gift 
Of hope and strength and grace, 
From someone who has made our world 
A brighter, better place 
It’s filled with moments, sweet and sad 
With smiles and sometimes tears, 
With friendships formed and good times shared 
And laughter through the years. 
A life well lived is a legacy 
Of joy and pride and pleasure, 
A living, lasting memory 
Our grateful hearts will treasure

3 Cheers!

Les, he was a gentleman, with a kind heart, who had a life full of special moments and very special people, who was deeply loved and respected by those that knew him. May you rest gently Les.

Three cheers for Les!

 

Time with friends and family

We now invite you to stay for afternoon tea and to chat with Les’ family, but please be advised for anyone that has not yet donated and would like to, the family have left his cricket club hat on display with his flowers should anyone wish to donate to the very worthy British Heart Foundation, Les’ chosen charity.

Thank you.