In a daze, I drifted through lessons and through the everyday routines of life. At home, we didn’t really talk about what had happened and didn’t express our feelings. There was no therapy or counselling, no hint of understanding.

My grandmother had a way with words that whenever she said your name, it would sound like music. It was something I really adored about her.

When my dad was 18 he walked past the army recruitment office in Wakefield and decided that was the way to avoid a life ‘down’t pit’ at Sharlston.  A young man with optimism and a hope that his life might be different.

… this wonderful song always reminded Mum of my Dad when he was working and after he passed away.

In those heady early days of being together, Ringo Starr’s ‘You’re Sixteen’ became our song. We were young and in love, he thought I was beautiful, he was the guy for me, and we were everything to each other.

My piece of music came to me a few months after Jenny died. It was given to me by a rockstar called Kevin, the frontman for a band called the Biscuit Brothers, who are world famous in Woodbridge, Suffolk.

He was a dairy farmer and loved his cows and before it was fashionable he played the radio whilst milking.

It is a song that is both uplifting and sorrowful at the same time. It will always be about love, just love - our love.

This song reminds me of John's bravery and positivity; he was adamant about not giving up, therefore I'm still shouting to the top in your memory John E.

The most intimate moment I had ever shared with my mum.

This song he chose for his funeral and I remember listening to it over and over to express my grief and try to find comfort and understanding of how he must have felt.

I still cannot bring myself to watch ‘Moulin Rouge’ …. It will always be OUR film and ‘Come What May’ will always be OUR song.

Sometimes I'd wait for her to ask me to put on the "ship song" as she referred to it, other times I'd offer it up right away just to see her face light up.

As long as we can remember, 
our Dad Noel would be humming a tune.

The song “When You Know” featured in the movie, Serendipity. It spoke to us because we were engaged and had bought a house together within five months of meeting.


I’d turn up the volume on my speakers and air-drum madly to the YouTube clip. It’d lift me every single time,

I don't think it was just about having her own money, it was more about a new sense of freedom and I wonder whether that's why she loved the lyrics so much - something about it being a new day?

We were at the Melon Bomb closing party at Pikes when the music finished and the lights came up, so we started to leave.

 But there was one more tune…

The lights went out and a hush descended on the room as Cecilia walked through the door to be greeted by our wonderful friends…

Dad chose this upbeat, stirring piece of music to be played as the exit music for his funeral.