She grew up in a tiny hamlet and lived life as a pure country girl and a true tomboy. She loved nothing more than being outside with her pony that her dad bought her. During these years she became a super horsewoman (if somewhat unorthodox) she even exercised top class hunters for a local landowner. Later in life she re-introduced me to horses and how to really enjoy riding again. Bob, Her dad tells me that one day a donkey called Moses, simply came home with her to keep the pony company. (Typical Debbie) Not sure her dad was too impressed by this but her love for all animals was important to her and when the NHS would not take her unused drugs when she died for the benefit of others the healthcare at home team have taken the drugs to be used at a donkey sanctuary in Devon. Brilliantly fitting… She would have approved. She was never the best student and attended school by duress. Definitely a rebel her mum never really got as close as her dad, who gave her a free spirit that stayed with her all her life. Our lives together began in 1981. Within three days of our first kiss I knew, and told her that I loved her… She told me right back…. We were married… 27 years on… Our love is, was, in my mind, beyond compare. We were always close, but in recent years we became especially close, living, playing (mainly this meant biking) and even working together 24 hours a day. When we married we became an instant family. Steven & Kelly were tiny little copies of their mum. We were not a perfect family, but Debbie, in her own gentle forgiving way started to become the glue that to this day holds us. We started poor. Oh my god we were poor! But we had potential. Debbie taught me that. I was not a great dad, but Debbie in her usual manner started to make me want to be a better man… Natalie was born. Just recently during an assessment by a good authority that cared for Debbie. She was described as an extremely astute and complex person that quickly recognised people’s strengths and weaknesses… Steve, Kelly, Natalie… Know exactly what I mean here, as she was never slow to let us know them. She told me back in January that a huge concern is that her children live up to their potential in honour of her memory. It will be my regular job to keep her updated on your progress. Please, Steven, Kelly, Natalie… Live your lives well and as you’re mum would love. In our early years together I liked to think I was the engine in control of our family. In truth Debbie always had control of the rudder. When our children grew Debbie’s return to work, was as a carer. She loved her work, bombing around in her XR3. She made a real impact and difference to the lives of people that she cared for. Some are friends to this day. Even the people most affected by Alzheimer’s or other life limiting illnesses in her care grew to love her. While she could still explain her feelings about her disease, her only regret was that she expected and promised that she would care for me… I would have loved that. In recent years, she was blessed with her beloved grandsons. One of her hardest moments during her illness was when she said that she was desperate that her illness would prevent her from watching dear little Olly and Tyler…Grow and flourish. Those of you that know us will possibly have heard the term… Ange’ or Angel as my name for Debbie. This was not a simple term of endearment but an accurate character assessment. She would be the first to admit that she as a human had her faults. I know she would not mind at all me sharing a couple with you today… •Words: Not her best area but over years we all learnt to interpret her that’ll do’s. •Driving: Wrote off enough company cars to jeopardise a large companies operational budget •Oddness: Some call it OCD. Touch her on the right must be followed by the left •Heating: Car had to be the same both sides. House over 20 degrees. Regardless how hot the weather •Any appliance must be set on even numbers •I could go on… While at times we all have traits that could drive our families mad. Debbie’s just made me love her more and I know the children and I will miss them forever. Those of you that knew her well would know she was strongly against any form of dictatorial religion. She had a faith. It was an earth-based faith rooted in human decency, intrinsic goodness and a good dose of an unexplainable spirituality. She wanted it to be clear that she would not attach any explanation or label to her’s or my combined beliefs and simply hopes that we will be re-united one day somehow. She chose the place where she rests and waits for me, and so my place has also been reserved so that one day we will be re-united in body and we hope and pray… in spirit. Anyone that knew Debbie will know of her love for all things involving motorbikes. Even as a small child. However, this was only in recent years that bikes and racing became a serious love of hers. Her love of biking did bring the best of her out and she told me over a year ago, when we were on our second European tour on the bike…”We have found ‘IT’ ange”. At this time Debbie’s obsession for all things bike meant that even on her birthday she had a special ‘personalised’ cake made for her. She even made it against all the odds to Le-Mans this year where she was battling her disease in the pit lane of the French Moto GP These really were the best years of our lives together, the best of my life. Although she never rode a bike, just loving to be my pillion regardless of how far or fast I wanted to ride. She simply soaked up every second of the ride. There were countless other experiences we both enjoyed… too many to talk about today, but I will cherish memories of our life together until we meet again. All I can say… We were kindred spirits! When it comes to how I will overcome the loss of my wonderful wife, I make no apology for stealing the script of four weddings and a funeral, a film we both loved, as it is at this moment I run out of words and as in the film, fall back on a poem by W H Auden. Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead Scribbling on the sky the message She Is Dead, Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves, Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves. She was my North, my South, my East and West, My working week and my Sunday rest, My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song; I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong. The stars are not wanted now: put out every one; Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun; Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood. For nothing now can ever come to any good.