Cate and Benj 2020

The only important news of 2020 from Benj at Taverners is the loss of our darling Cate, who finally succumbed to her advanced cancer on 14th September. Deeply mourned by all family, and especially missed by the grandchildren, to whom she will always be Cookie.

As her metastatic cancer advanced, active treatment ceased and Cate was bed-bound from July. We received enormous support from Community Nursing services and Pilgrims Hospices, and I was in permanent attendance with visits from family and friends whenever possible, within the limitations of the Covid-19 lockdowns.

Cate's Tribute site has raised almost £1000 for the Hospices 

https://catebenjamin.muchloved.com/

The illustrated account of our 2012 Round Britain Sail is now available from Amazon as an e-book or in paperback, with all royalties going to the Hospice. The paperback version is bigger and better, albeit more expensive because of the unavoidable printing costs, but even more proceeds go to the Hospice.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ninety-nine-Days-story-Benjamins-Britain-ebook

Other family news in brief

Matthew and Belinda:  established their therapeutic counselling and meditation training business ListenUpTherapy, with treatment room at No1 Harley St!

Gonsalves: in Letchworth, Frankie busy social worker, Dean iin his established security systems business, Kate (14) and Louis (11) at school.

Furnesses: now in WA, Lucy running sheep and horses, and training in equine therapy, Rob in mines, Grace (15) coping with adolescence

Harrisses: Mel+Graham+Mia (6) aiming to move house this year (in Deal). Mel running a busy enterprise designing and making pet furniture.

Odendaals: Leigh commuting to London/Ale Teaching Assistant at Nicole's and Mia's school Nicole (nearly 8) doing well in school and enjoying ballet and rugby.

'The Others': Cate's far-flung family are scattered from Blackheath to Australia and Canada via Sussex and Scotland, but too many to write about today: sorry!

Click on a few of our links:
Music -  http://dealbrass.co.uk/  but of course no music now thanks to pandemic
Writing - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dealpoetssociety

Matthew and Belinda - https://www.listenuptherapy.com/

xxx Benj xxx