Goodbye, Mr George
The turnout was fantastic on Monday for George Bateman's memorial service in Boston. Nearly 900 people packed England's largest parish church, the Boston Stump, and 400 of them went back to Wainfleet afterwards.
Son Stuart and daughter Jackie put on brave faces and greeted everyone warmly as they took their seats.
In Stuart's address - the last of four, with Roger Protz leading off - he delivered a rousing declaration of independence in a tribute poem. "No- one will seize control of Bateman's" was its message.
Attendees included Rooney Anand, Jon athan Webster, David Thompson, Tom Wells, Anthony Wallis, Fergus McMullen, Paul Nunny, Brian Field, Martin Breading, Emma Gilliland, Fred West, Keith Bott, Tim Hampson, Tony Eastwood, Roger Adshead, Chris Holmes, Kevin Charity and Richard Fuller.
Independence - a tribute to George Bateman, by his Son, Stuart Bateman*
A true English gentleman, courageous and brave
Dedication, commitment and loyalty he gave.
He wouldn't sell out and neither would I
"Independence, independence!" his battle cry.
His physical presence may be recently gone
But his legacy we promise to carry it on.
Our brewery will prosper - it carries his name
But without him beside us, it won't quite be the same.
He preciously guarded his brewery and brews
Independence, he stated, we never should lose.
And long may his beers and milds prevail
To be worthy of the name of good, honest ale
To our independence George taught us to clasp
And for that, Mr George, we raise high a glass.
He had countless requests to sell brewery and beer
But all were sent packing with a flea in their ear.
And now that he's gone, maybe they'll come again
They shouldn't waste their breath - it will all be in vain.
He was never a lounge man - more public bar
Which is why he's admired by brewers from afar
But his brewery came second to tenants and staff
And for that, Mr George, we raise high a glass.
"Death or glory!" was his regiment's cry
A value he followed all through his life.
He fought through the '70s with conviction and passion
When it seemed all was lost to the keg-beer fashion.
He fought through the '80s when it seemed all was lost
To retain independence at whatever the cost.
And then in the '90s, for his health he did fight
And confounded the doctors and surgeons alike.
But forget the brewery and forget the beer
He was a man with great heart and a man of great cheer.
He overcame unbelievable odds
In his drive to secure local people their jobs.
His brews were all varied - some dark and some pale
But all of them worthy to be good honest ale
If Dad was a beer, he'd be a quart - not a half
And for that, Mr George, we raise high a glass.
I'm sure God is happy to have him up there
As long as Dad doesn't say: "Hey, that's my chair".
And now he looks down in 2007
From the public bar in a corner of heaven.
And pondering why it was wine changed from water
When there was a choice of bitter, mild or porter.
But now the flag flies at the brewery, half-mast
And for the memory of you, Dad, we raise high a glass.
*For reasons of space, some lines have been left out.
Apologies to Mr George and Stuart
