Retired farmer, George Fawdry, receives me in the very warm sunroom of his bungalow, looking out onto the peak Spring flower garden at the back. Sunrooms have transformed many British houses. From the front room he can still see the farmhouse further down the valley he and his ancestors lived in for most of their lives. George is showing me various interesting historical documents on the Salford (nr Chipping Norton) area. He visited and worked in New Zealand as a young man, so knows quite a bit about our farming scene.
His mind is 100%, his body is not. George has Parkinson’s Disease, which is affecting his speech and walking. Sometimes it is hard to communicate. As a result, I miss our first appointment. I am so glad I make it to the second, and third. There is something about him. He is very keen for us to go down the road and have a look at the family farm. I have a close eye on the biggest, blackest storm cloud imaginable approaching from the south. I got caught in a phenomenal thunderstorm driving home from Cambridge the week before. The rain starts in the Churchyard he is proud to show me. We say goodbye. I am very thoughtful on the drive home. He had so much he still wanted to tell me about the farm and the history of this place. How would it be to get a diagnosis like Parkinson’s or Motor Neurone Disease, which my brother in law is enduring so patiently. I often wonder how you are getting on now, George. You communicated more than you realised.
George Fawdry, in the beautiful church at Salford.
