Sue ‘Georgie’ Stanley
Music: Auld Lang Syne
Artist: The Pipes & Drums of Leanisch
Shared by: Robbie for Georgie
“It’s only now writing this that I’ve given particular thought to Robert Burns’ famous line: ’Should old acquaintance be forgot...”
New Year’s Eve holds many happy childhood memories – of staying up late with the grown-ups, of the table laden with delicious food and lots of silliness (probably down to the drink flowing!). These times and the song ‘Auld Lang Syne’ also always remind me of one special person who died too young from breast cancer nearly 20 years ago, called Sue. Or as I knew her ‘Georgie’, which definitely suited her funny, outgoing, ‘life of the party’ personality much better than her birth name.
Georgie was my Mum’s best friend, who she worked with as a hairdresser for many years. Through this friendship, along with her husband John, they’d come over every so often for dinner. Always bringing me and my brother a bar of chocolate, which was a real treat! We’d scoff it down before heading up to bed to give the adults some peace.
She was raised in South Derbyshire and had a broad accent, think, ‘Ey up me duck’ with a sharp, dry sense of humour to match. She was very glamorous with short, wavy, dark hair and stood out from the crowd – even driving a white pearlescent VW Beetle!
The relationship between Georgie and my parents blossomed into friendships with numerous other couples, leading to what became the traditional New Year’s Eve Party, all taking it in turns to host. Some of my earliest memories are falling asleep on a huge double bed as the adults continued to party downstairs. As the years passed we were allowed to join in the fun and Georgie was always the heart and soul of it.
As the clock struck midnight the traditional lyrics for ‘Auld Lang Syne’ were always sung (well, shouted) with the bagpipes playing in the background. We’d stand arm in arm in a large circle around the living room, all doing our best to remember the ‘weird’ words.
It’s only now writing this that I’ve given particular thought to Robert Burns’ famous line: ’Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?’, and the meaning behind them. Of emphasising the importance of remembering and cherishing old friends and memories.
As I grew older, every time I saw her she’d jokingly ask ‘Have you got a girlfriend yet our Robert?’. Therefore, I was delighted to introduce her to my girlfriend (now wife) and bring a smile to her face not long before she died.
Georgie is hugely missed and each New Year’s Eve as I ‘take a cup o' kindness’, I remember her and others from those parties who have since passed, whilst continuing to shout the words as loudly as I can.