russellalton.co.uk

This is the website to celebrate the life of and to continue the memory that is
	Russell Alton

	Picture by Jezz Warren

12 November 1924 - 12 April 2008 "He was a lovely man... one of life's gentlemen"

Did you know...? This is the original drawing of the logo, drawn by Dad in 1982. It is the Foraise emblem and portrays the Alton family crest. The A's in the circle represent The Four Alton's, as it was... Dad, Michele, Nik and me. Click on image for larger version.

LATEST

30 October 2009 - I went to refresh the flowers at the crematorium. 1 October 2009 - I went to refresh the flowers at the crematorium. 28 August 2009 - I went to refresh the flowers at the crematorium. 5 August 2009 - I went to refresh the flowers at the crematorium. 16 July 2009 - I went to refresh the flowers at the crematorium. 21 June 2009 - I went to refresh the flowers at the crematorium. 8 June 2009 - I went to refresh the flowers at the crematorium. 23 May 2009 - I went to refresh the flowers at the crematorium. 14 May 2009 - I went to refresh the flowers at the crematorium. 24 April 2009 - I went to refresh the flowers at the crematorium. 12 April 2009 - Michele, Anthony, Jezz and I went to the crematorium this afternoon, Easter Sunday. It marks one year of Dad's passing. 16 March 2009 - I went to refresh the flowers at the crematorium this morning. 17 February 2009 - Evelyn pays tribute. 22 January 2009 - I went to the crematorium and refreshed the flowers again. The weather was very cold. 23 December 2008 - I went to the crematorium and refreshed the flowers again. It was about 2.30pm. 6 December 2008 - Refreshed the flowers at the crematorium this morning. 16 November 2008 - This evening, at home, I remind myself that this Christmas will be the very first Christmas, in my entire life ever, without Dad there. 12 November 2008 - It's Dad's birthday today and we're all feeling extra sad. I spent just under two hours at the crematorium today. I know the girls are feeling the same as I am. 13 October 2008 - My thoughts this morning go back to the same one-line that I wrote on Dad's card for the flowers; Lost Without Your Love. It still seems so appropriate for the way I feel each and everyday. The line is the song title to one of my favourite groups of all time, Bread. The lyrics, written by David Gates are so beautiful but since Dad went, they leave me chilled and yet still comforted. Here's the song and lyrics. 12 October 2008 - Nik and I went to the crematorium together today and took some flowers with us. What I'd forgotten was that it was only five days beforehand that I'd gone last and the flowers were still in bloom, beautifully. So, we added the fresh ones, it was the biggest display to date! Lol. I said to Nik, that Dad would have probably laughed. This is how it looked. 7 October 2008 - I went the crematorium alone today with some fresh white flowers. 24 September 2008 - I created this little movie in Windows Movie Maker and uploaded it to "YouTube." I hope it works. 21 September 2008 - I went today with Simon. More white flowers and refreshed the memorial. 17 September 2008 - Now I've finally managed to work out how, I've included a beautiful track at the front of Dad's page. It's Matt Monro, an artist that both Dad and I loved listening together and it's called "Til Then My Love." - I've suspended it for now though it is linkable by clicking on the title. 16 September 2008 - Today's visit was generated by my third involuntary outburst of emotion Sunday afternoon. The flowers are mixed with the red carnations that were there when I arrived, presumably by one of the girls! 1 September 2008 - Back at the crematorium this morning, after shopping with Jezz. Sat and spoke out to Dad today, just to say that I'll never forget to the extent, that it's my intention to make sure that there are always fresh flowers in the boulder.

19 August 2008 - Jezz took this picture with the panoramic function of his camera. It deliberately brings Dad's boulder forward of the others in the circle of remembrance. 15 August 2008 - The saddest visit back to Dad. Laying out the flowers and changing old for new, I had this powerful feeling that I shouldn't leave and as I went to, I couldn't. This feeling stayed with me for just over an hour. Simon called at a very spiritual moment when I was thinking about him. I felt like Simon was part of the comfort and healing package that I'd been given in preparation of my Dad not being with me anymore. In other news, Dad's name and four line message is not expected to be featured and included in the book of remembrance until the first week of April 2009, so we can stop looking until then! 31 July 2008 - Jezz and I went over to the crematorium today, to change the flowers and spend a few moments. 20 July 2008 - Dad's other memorial page, http://www.imorial.com/russellalton has been updated and sponsored. The sponsored element has done away with any advertisements that once appeared. Also, Nick came with me to refresh Dad's flowers. 28 June 2008 - I drove over to Kingston Crematorium on my own today. It was a very hot day and I refreshed Dad's flowers and spent about 15 minutes reflecting. At one point, it was baking and my thoughts wandered and I suddenly heard Dad saying: "See? The sun on your back!" I cried for a moment and then went back to the car. I drove back home, quietly... Dad would've loved the drive. The other quirky moment now is that when I went to throw away Dad's brief case a couple of months back, there was a pair of scissors in one of the pen holders. I took them out and kept them in my car. They've become an integral part of each visit to the crematorium. I know it's not X-Files stuff but it puts a smile on my face. 22 June 2008 - Do you think it's because we grew up next to the poet's estate that my albeit limited in skill, poetry prowess surfaces at moments of sadness. Whatever, I've added another recital... shorter than the last one. It's at the end or click here. 15 June 2008 - Nikki and I went to the crematorium at around 10.30am and laid some fresh flowers in Dad's memorial boulder and removed the previous ones. We laid white roses and lilies. Michèle and Anthony went along later and added some yellow roses. 6 June 2008 - Michèle, Anthony, Nikki, Stacey and I scattered Dad's ashes in the same plot of land at the Rose Garden in Kingston Crematorium. It was Dad's request to have his ashes scattered where Betty's were and so we did. I scattered the ashes, as directed and I'm glad I did.

Did you know...? Dad introduced me (Wayne) to so many varied types of music including Mantovani, José Felciano, James Galway and Shirley Bassey.

Where are you now, my Daddy?

Where are you now, my Daddy?
I went to phone you again, today
I needed help with a long word
Oh well, never mind, aye?

Where are you now, my Daddy?
I need the sound of your laughter
Can you hear my jokes still?
I still say them, but there's no sound after

Where are you now, my Daddy?
Please try and give me a sign
I'm not doing that well without you
Just a 'hello mate' would do fine

Where are you now, my Daddy?
Why do I feel so lost and alone?
I can't go on without you to guide me
Or driving to Tesco's on my own

Where are you now, my Daddy?
Are you looking? Am I making you proud?
If you could just give me a signal
A sound or a shape in a cloud

Where are you now, my Daddy?
Will this empty feeling ever end?
I sit here cold and lonely
With a broken heart that will never mend

~ Wayne Alton (27 April 2008) ~


Did you know...? One of Dad's cars was the Ford Zodiac Executive Mk. IV.


ORDER OF SERVICE Here's the finished Order of Service book. You can download a copy of it here <click on the cover>.	Dad - Thank You A son's tribute to his father This is the script for Wayne's reading at the service

Did you know...? Dad's favourite song of all time was Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty.

BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE The funeral service for Dad took place at North East Surrey Crematorium but it was Dad's instructions to have his ashes scattered with Betty's in Kingston crematorium, nearby the rose garden. Michèle, Nik and I went to make enquiries and took a look at the Remembrance book. Gran and Grandpa's names are there and this is how they look.

And now, here's two other family members, my cousin Bruce and Uncle Reg.


Did you know...? Dad bought a single doughnut every Monday morning, in Tesco, without fail.

SAD WITHOUT DAD He was the force that dried my tears He was the comfort of all my fears When I think of all I had I am left so sad, without Dad Sitting, staring at the screen Without him, where have I been? With him alive, I felt only glad Now it’s only sad, without Dad It’s not just him that has gone It’s the strength I had for so long The order that kept me from going mad That reminds me now why I’m sad, without Dad Wonderful memories caress my heart They mend and stop me from falling apart I think again of all I had Only then, is it not so sad, without Dad Wayne Alton (22 June 2008)	That’s what life’s like now, without Dad here Like one leg without a crutch Or a feel without a touch Or perhaps Starsky without Hutch Is how I miss Dad so very much To be a pair of shoes without the heels Or a café that serves no meals A chauffeured car yet no wheels And without Dad, that’s how it feels Oh, I’ve got the cuddle, but no teddy bear I have the thrill of the rides but no fun fair A never-ending road yet going nowhere That’s what it’s like without Dad there A group of cheerleaders, silent without cheer Alone sat at the bar in a pub with no beer A sad song and a hankie, but without a tear That’s what life’s like now, without Dad here Oh I could have a life of luxury and no debts to pay To spend the rest of my life having my own way But when I think of you Dad, d’you know what I say? I’d give it all up in an instant, to have you back for one day Wayne Alton (14 October 2008)

WAS THAT YOU LAST NIGHT? Was that you last night? It did give me quite a fright A strong yet gentle breeze That started way down at my knees It then gradually came up to my face It was at a constant and steady pace It was an unusual breeze of air Unlike any I’d felt before, sat there It’s just, and I don’t mean to be rude But if that was a sign, it can be so misconstrued I’m longing to know and feel that you are there If you are then why am I still so unaware? I’ve been without you for a whole year now How I have managed I just don’t know how But then listening to music that reminds me of you Has both brought on and held back a tear or two And with each day I look up at your face Hoping, yet knowing you’re in a much better place Instead of this vile, decaying world so rotten Where great men like you are so readily forgotten Dad, you’re the last of the best, that’s for sure They really don’t make them like you anymore Wayne Alton (9 May 2009)
Did you know...? Ellen, a customer from Tesco's, Purley, Surrey, gave commiserations today, 16 June 2008, by adding; "he was a lovely man... one of life's gentlemen."


Old vintage photos of Dad	Photos of Dad	Flowers

Did you know...? Dad had many phrases he used often and one of them was "Tempus Fugit." By coincidence, those very words are written on the face of the grandfather clock he bought in 2005.

	THE MEMORIAL BOULDER IS IN PLACE Friday 23 May 2008 Wendy from the crematorium called today whilst I was out running an errand or two, to let me know that the boulder had arrived. She added that it would be put in to place, in one of the remembrance circles. Jezz and I took a drive over there and took a couple of photos of it. < Click on image for larger photo >


Did you know...? Dad ran a café in the 70's at Elm Road, New Malden, the very street where he was born.