Blessing for new business venture.

A COLNE Valley village has its first funeral directors in many years.

Clergy from local churches took part in a blessing ceremony for the new funeral parlour.

Independent funeral director Jennie Coxon has opened the premises at Leymoor Road, Golcar.

Those taking part in the blessing were the Rev Chris Thompson, minister at Golcar Baptist Church; Canon Martyn Crompton, vicar of St John's Church, Golcar; and the Rev Pam Ward, minister of Golcar Providence Methodist Church.

Also welcomed to the ceremony by Jennie and colleague Lee Summers were Golcar ward councillor Christine Iredale and Bob Mortimer, president of Golcar British Legion.

Said Jennie: "There were at one time three joiner/funeral directors in Golcar - one being Alf Lockwood, whose premises were at Town End. His brothers Reggie and Hildred both worked for him.

"Then there was Edward Garside's premises at Swallow Lane.He had two sons Albert and Willie.

"Edward's brother Eli had his own premises at Ryefield Road. His son Ronald was one of the founders of The Highfield Funeral Home.

"As people started to use funeral homes instead of having their loved ones i n t h e 'f ront parl o u r ' joiner/funeral director businesses gradually faded."

Jennie said Golcar has been without a funeral director's for many years - until June this year when she spotted the small empty property on Leymoor Road and had a vision of how it could be transformed into a funeral director's premises.

She said: "Although only small inside it is very cosy and serves the purpose of being a tranquil place for families to visit and spend some time with their loved one before the funeral takes place.

"It is a great privilege to be approached by families and asked to look after their loved ones in their time of need and I will be honoured to do this should any family approach me."

CAPTION(S):

* VALLEY GATHERING: Jennie Coxon (centre) and colleague Lee Summers (third right), of Golcar Independent Funeral Directors, with (from left) the Rev Chris Thompson, minister of Golcar Baptist Church; Canon Martyn Crompton, vicar of St John''s Parish Church; the Rev Pam Ward, minister of Golcar Providence Methodist Church; Clr Christine Iredale and Bob Mortimer, president of Golcar British Legion