Greville Rex Edwards Eulogy

I’ll start by thanking you all for coming today to support us as a family and to recognise my Dad, Grev’s, life…

The first thing I’ll say  is how much we all love Mum - ‘Shaz’, as Grev called her, and say what a wonderful person she is. I want to say how strong she’s been over the past year since Dad was diagnosed with cancer. Mum, we love you very much.

Born at the Dragoon Arms at Aston Fields on 24.08.35 Greville Rex was the son of Worcestershire Inn keepers and Hoteliers Ralph and Renie Edwards.  He has a sister Jean and a younger brother, John, who sadly died some 12 yrs ago.

Grev was schooled at Wrekin College in Shropshire, where he thrived on sport including Cricket, Rugby and Boxing. He was a lad’s lad and nearly got expelled for breaking-in to the tuck shop, something that he was not proud of.

In 1947 his father, Ralph, bought the Chateau Impney near Droitwich, where the family resided and Grev enjoyed his teenage years.

Dad did National Service and Boxed for the Army, before training to be an hotelier at the Royal Bath Hotel in Bournemouth. On completion, he went on to become possibly the countries youngest licensee at The Royal Hop Pole in Tewksbury. He went on to own and run a succession of Hotels and Inns. During which time he met and married Sharon in 1961.

Shaz knew what she had let herself in for. Their honeymoon was one example of the rollercoaster ahead. Grev got the flight details wrong, missed the plane home and hadn’t enough money for another flight. So he booked them in to a Casino-hotel and spent all night playing the tables. The gamble paid-off and they got home to start a family, having Gaynor, Warren and Guy in pretty quick succession.

In 1969 Grev moved the family abroad to The Bahamas for 3 years where he worked in Real Estate. The memories of those days will stay with us forever.

On returning to England, Dad resumed catering, owning a number of licensed premises in Worcestershire, including Broome Hall, The Barnt Green Inn and The Diglis Hotel. During those years, he worked extremely hard to pay for our education, for which we are eternally grateful.

Mum and Dad’s biggest blow in life was when we lost my brother Guy. Dad was like a gladiator with a spear through his heart. Protecting and providing for Mum in the way that he knew how to show his love.

Grev had many passions.

He was a national Hunt supporter and member of Cheltenham Racecourse - The fact that he missed this year’s festival gives an indication of how poorly Dad was. It was one of his favourite sporting events on the calendar. And he made sure that others had the opportunity to go in his place, whilst he watched at home on telly.

He enjoyed a round of Golf at Ombersley Golf Club, where he was a member.

In the words of his friend Peter Grace - “He showed how to watch Cricket whilst facing the bar at Worcester”.

Grev loved motor sport. As a young boy, I remember family outings to Shelsey Walsh. The classic cars being Dad’s favourite, especially the old Jags. I also have fond memories of Dad taking us to the Point to point races during school holidays. He would give us a fiver each to have a bet....I mean an ice cream.

Grev was a core member and past chairman of Pedmore Sporting Club, helping to raise many thousands of pounds for local charities.

For over twenty years he organised famous sportsman’s lunches in Birmingham. He always secured the very best guest speakers and comedians. And quote - ‘Top table guests would be subjected last of the summer wine’ jokes.

Of all Grev’s passions, nothing surpassed his love of Rugby Union, and his beloved Moseley. He was the Clubs Commercial Manager and pioneering fund raiser in the 1980s. That was when Moseley played at The Readings, and another quote - ‘He will have shown you the high life in a leaking site hut’.  

The club is now at Billesley common where only Grev could turn a porta-cabin in to a Tardis of sheer indulgence. Watching a game of rugby with his pals, a few beers (just the 2 he always told me) and of course the infamous Fladbury pork pies.

By his own admission, Dad was not so much a family man – but definitely head of the family. I will always remember the demise of a travelling Gentleman who entered The Barnt Green Inn and threatened the young barman. Dad stood-in to deliver an immaculate left upper-cut that rendered the man unconscious. After all, the young barman happened to be me, and Dad was my hero.

Grev loved his home at Manor Cottage. Only after he had bought it did he fax Mum the details to Spain. He adored the beautiful garden, which is full of birds. He would feed them every morning without fail.  Inside the cottage are many reminders of Dad. Not just the furniture and ornaments, but countless pieces of paper with his distinctive handwriting on. He would write everything down meticulously, such was his character.

Finally, Dad and I want to thank many people: - My sister Gay’s support for Mum has been unfaltering. Auntie Jeans love, strength and guidance is an inspiration. Special thanks to Grev’s closest friend and companion, Keith ‘Westray’, and all the pals who visited Grev over recent weeks, Joe, Paul, Whitey, Bruce, Tommo, Percy and Ron, to name but a few. Thanks to all Mums close friends including Ann, June, Sandra, Judy, and Barbara. To the residents of Hadzor, especially close neighbours Mike and Denise - your kindness has been overwhelming.  To Eric, Colin and Dave, who will miss Grev’s destructions in the garden. Least of all to the amazing nurses and carers including Joy, Sarah and Sue, and the many others that genuinely cared for Dad. Finally, to all you wonderful people in this church who hold Grev and Shaz dearly in your hearts and minds. Thank you all so much.