bodge hollows died suddenly yesterday afternoon. we're still in a state of disbelief. he was only five years older than me. 48 is no age to go.
not sure what else to write except that we were tremendously fortunate to have known him. i don't have the words to express this.
[pic is of something joe made in blu-tac on his bed headboard last night]
5 comments:
Si, yes I echo the disbelief and shock. So, so sad. A delightful individual and special teacher. Many young lives enriched by his work.
M xx
I feel absolutely numb.
My mate Pete and I always seem to be having converstaions about mates who've just died or been diagnosed with some horrible illness - but they're all OUR
sort of age, not like Graham.
How absolutely dreadful... and just awful for his wife and children.
Lots of lovely memories of John Hampden.
Vivid memories of watching TV at his house with all the lads - seeing
England beat Holland 4-1 in Euro 96 (and a few other games, but that was THE
highlight).
Very many thanks Si for letting us know.
So sad.
A lovely, funny, special, gentle man.
Steve
Hello Si
For some nostalgic reason, I decided to Google 'Graham Hollows', last night.
I was at Roundwood Park School with him in Harpenden in the 70s, although I only got to know him (not as well as I now wish I had) in the second year of 6th Form.
We once shared a cramped, but hilarious, car journey with several other sixth formers, on a visit to a University open day. I was the only girl in the car, which in itself was a completely novel experience for me. I had been really nervous about the journey, beforehand - I wasn't that confident around boys, even 'geeky' boys (although no-one used that expression at the time!) and I didn't know any of them very well - but sitting crammed in the back between Graham and another boy, I quickly relaxed and we spent virtually the entire journey laughing - there and back.
That particular car journey was pivotal for me, as a girl growing into womanhood; it gave me so much confidence in my ability to engage with the opposite sex. After that, I would often sit and chat and giggle with my companion-travellers back in the 6th Form Common Room. I was, however, oblivious to the fact that Graham was taking a special interest in me until the Christmas Disco. He was the first boy to ever ask me out and has, from that moment and ever since, held a special place in my heart. I've often regretted that I didn't say yes, but never more so than today, reading his friends' tributes to him. What a beautiful man. Even though we didn't go out together, we still maintained a friendship until we left school. I have photos of him at my 18th birthday 'do'.
I'm so very shocked and distressed to read here, and elsewhere on line, that he died five years ago. The tributes I've been reading, celebrating him as an adult man, resonate strongly with my memories of him as a 17/18 year old boy: funny, compassionate, thoughtful, intelligent, sweet. We shared a love of John Denver! - but I don't remember if we ever talked about it. I wish I had felt able to keep in touch.
My heart goes out to everyone who loved him. I know you will all still be missing him.
P.S.
Hi Si,
I forgot to say that I can easily picture Graham as the wonderful teacher, gentle leader and devoted husband and father that he became.
What an appalling, heartbreaking loss for his wife and children. If it doesn't seem completely crass and intrusive and inappropriate, even at this juncture, I'd be really grateful if you would pass on my condolences to them. I'm so sorry for their loss.
And for yours. I hope life is being good to you.
Viv Webb
P.P.S.
Really like your blog.
My daughter is a Fine Art/Intermedia final year student at Edinburgh Uni. Not sure why I'm telling you about my daughter - perhaps hoping it gives me more 'street cred'!
Viv
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