In this weeks 'Gazette and Herald' for May 21, 2003 is an obituary with lots of local names. Obituary appeared in the 'Gazette and Herald' - 21st May 2003. Mr Geoffrey Sleightholme The funeral service for Mr Geoffrey Sleightholme took place at Octon Crematorium followed by a thanksgiving service at Helmsley Methodist Church on Thursday, May 14. Mr Sleightholme, of Ryegate, Helmsley, died aged 71. Geoff, as he was known, was the fourth son of the late Mr and Mrs W Sleightholme, a family of ten boys and one girl. He was born at Ness and attended the village school in nearby Nunnington. On leaving school he worked as a farm worker for the Foxton family at Ness. Geoff did his national service in the Royal Engineers serving in Europe. On his return he worked for the Tate family at Muscotes. He married Muriel Richardson, of Rosedale, in 1959, and they had one son and one daughter. They lived in a cottage at Muscotes. Later, the family moved to be the caretakers at Queen Mary's School, then at Duncombe Park. After the school closed Geoff joined the staff of Duncombe Park working in the repairs department, a job he loved, until ill health forced him to retire. In his younger days he enjoyed playing cricket. Another of his hobbies was his interest in all wild life, and he also had a great love for dogs. Geoff also enjoyed a game of bingo and whist in the surrounding villages. He died peacefully at home after being lovingly cared for by Muriel. He was a well-respected person both at work and around the Helmsley area and he will be greatly missed not only by his devoted family but by all who knew him. The service at Helmsley was conducted by the Rev Ranald Wylie. with Miss Christine Wright as the organist. Family mourners included Mrs Murial Sleightholme (widow), Mr Peter and Mrs Anita Sleightholme (son and daughter in law), Mrs Norine and Mr Anders Gustafsson (daughter and son in law), Mrs M Tate (sister), Mr Gordon Sleightholme (brother), Mr Noel and Mrs Violet Sleightholme (brother and sister in law), Mr Colin and Mrs Joan Sleightholme (brother and sister in law), Mr Douglas and Mrs Pat Sleightholme (brother and sister in law), Mr Arthur Sleightholme (brother), Mrs Carol Sleightholme (sister in law was unable to attend), Mr Cyril Sleightholme (brother), Mrs Doreen Sleightholme (sister in law), Mr and Mrs W Myers (sister in law and brother in law), Mrs and Mrs Reg Sleightholme, Mr Ernest Sleightholme, Mr John Sleightholme, Mr and Mrs Raymond (Bunny) Ware (all cousins), Mr and Mrs A Thackray (niece and husband), Mrs Mandy Milton, Danny and Ben Milton (niece and sons), Mr and Mrs A Sleightholme (nephew and wife), Mr S Sleightholme (nephew), Mr Adrian Sleightholme and Michelle (nephew unable to attend). Miss Linda Myers (niece), Mrs Ann Raper and Jason Raper (niece and son). General Mourners included: Lord and Lady Feversham, Mrs M Greenlay (rep Mr G Greenlay), Mrs D Kirby, Mrs Ann Kirby, Mr Alan Ward, Mr S Bowes, Mr S Tate, Mr J Tate, Mr C D Milne, Mr D Milne, Mrs J Medd (rep Mr J Medd), Mrs and Mrs M Richardson, Mr G Richardson (rep Miss F Richardson), Mrs Alice Barton, Mr Fred Shaw, Mr and Mrs B Potter, Mr D Westhead, Mr J Dyson, Mr S Temple, Mrs Sherwin (rep The Hon Mrs J Needham), Mrs P Ferguson, Mrs Leng, Mr David Handley, Mrs Belinda Smith, Mr and Mrs A Storey, Mr Robin Teasdale, Mrs A Saggers, Mr and Mrs P Robinson, Mr A Petch, Mr N Boyes, Mr F Flintoft, Mr and Mrs C Foxton (rep Mr H M Richardson), Mrs P Pearson, Mr and Mrs M Winspear, Mrs F Wilkinson, Mr and Mrs D Smith, Mr F Parker, Mr A Wildsmith, Mrs I Fields, Mrs J Almond, Mrs K Leckonby, Mr Paul Nixon, Mr Mark Sayers, Mr and Mrs J O'Neil, Mr P Cornelius, Mr and Mrs S Watson, Mr Ted Pinder, Mr G M Thompson, Mrs Joan Graham, Mr and Mrs M Humpleby, Mr and Mrs D Snowdon, Mrs S Storridge, Mr and Mrs K Pickering, Mrs Margaret Larke, Mr John Dale and Mr E Wardle (rep Mrs D Wardle and family also Mr Barry Wardle), Mr and Mrs Gordon Thornton (were unable to attend). A collection of £263 was collected at the service and donated to the nurses dept. at Helmsley Health Centre, towards the purchase of equipment. Andy Sefton Pocklington