50 West Yelland

Barnstaple

EX31 3HF

Dear Table Tennis players,

I just wanted to say thank you to all who attended Tony’s funeral and gave such support to my family and I.  It really was appreciated and I know that Tony would have been chuffed to see such kindness and support.  I felt it went very well apart from being let down by the florist for not delivering the flowers for the top of the coffin.  Thank you also to those who sent condolences cards which have also been appreciated.

Several people asked me to send a copy of the poem about the mouse, read out by my son, Tony wrote that many years ago and it has always made me smile. 

My best wishes to you all.

Penny

Requiem to a Mouse

This is a tale that is bound to please

About a mouse and a piece of cheese

It happened one night, in ages past

When a mouse was about to break his fast.

So out he crept from his little hole

With fear shooting through to his timid sole.

Along the skirting he did creep

For he thought his enemy was fast asleep

Across the rug to the great big door

Over some slippers and the kitchen floor

Until at last to the trap he came

And he bit the cheese, again and again

Now the trap it was so very old

Sixty four, or so I’m told

And it didn’t spring its rusty nail

And as for the cheese, the mouse didn’t fail

So, satisfied, he turned aside

Waltzed on back, he didn’t hide

Across the rug from the great big door

Over some slippers and the kitchen floor

Along the skirting, he didn’t creep

No point, his enemy was quite asleep

But when he came to his little flat

He couldn’t get in, he was too FAT

He tried to shrink to his normal size

When over his shoulder, he saw GREEN eyes

And that is the last our hero saw

For alas, he is no more

But there is a moral to this little chat

Don’t be a mouse, BE A CAT!

Tony Whatley