THE funeral of James (Jim) Reed took place in the Wear Valley Crematorium in Coundon with the cortege being accompanied all along the way by 50 motorcyclists on their machines – three leading the way and the rest behind. Jim’s friend, Peter Hope, had organised the escort, including engaging with traffic police so that the motorcycles had a smooth, unbroken journey.
Followed by his wife, Pauline, sons, Michael and Christopher, their wives and families as well as Jim’s siblings, the cortege entered the crematorium to the tune of ‘You Raise Me Up’ by Westlife. The large congregation – there was standing room only – was welcomed by Celebrant, Gemma Dobson from Tow Law. In her own special way, Gemma found exactly the right words to give not only a warm welcome to the service for the scores of people who attended but to bring comfort to the family.
‘It is both an honour and a privilege to be asked to lead this service’, she began ‘We are not here only to say goodbye to Jim but to celebrate his life, the person he was, the relationships he built…
Jim was the eldest of what would become the large family of Frank and Lily Reed, born in Tow Law in February 1953. He was followed by siblings, Frank, Melvyn, Ann, Ian, Diane, Michael and Billy, a lively and happy family who moved to Waterhouses, Sunniside and finally, Billy Row where Jim went to Peases West school. It was a happy childhood, noisy, chaotic and loving. He attended secondary school in Willington and on leaving school, he became a farm worker in Sunniside.
He was never one to shy away from hard work and over the years, he worked diligently at Smart and Brown’s in Spennymoor, the Advanced Throwing Mills and training as a skilled dry stone waller. He taught dry stonewalling to hundreds of people in between the many projects he was always working on. Later in his life, he was employed at Blairs in Stanhope and at Bond’s. Whatever he worked at, he gave it his all but he gave even more of himself to his family.
Jim and Pauline met when they were very young, the families living near each other; Pauline was a good friend of Jim’s sister, Ann, and the two families grew up together. What started as a simple connection grew into a lifelong love. They married in Bishop Auckland Register Office in 1977 and built a wonderful life together, welcoming their much loved sons, Michael and Christopher. The Reed family was happy and complete.
Jim was a man who could turn his hand to anything, his sons often enlisted to help with his latest project. He had a remarkable talent for painting, especially Gypsy caravans and the farming community. His detailed artwork of horses and countryside scenes were admired by many. He also mastered the mending of leather harnesses, made carts for horses and also built carts for sulky racing.
Michael and Christopher remembered being paid a fiver for a day’s work while Jim might have made a hundred quid – a fair deal!
At home, Pauline would tell you that nothing was truly safe if Jim had a project in mind. Over the years, if she went for her hairdryer, she would find the plug missing, re-purposed for something more important! And on one occasion when the tumble dryer stopped working, it became apparent that Jim had quietly removed the motor for another job. He was always pottering, always tinkering and always up to something.
One of Jim’s greatest passions was restoring old motorbikes, taking them apart and rebuilding them. Pauline was never quite sure how many were hidden around the place. His collection included all the major vintage makes – Austin, Ariel, Classic BSAs, Suzuki but the Harley Davison was never a favourite. So, through his love of bikes, Jim made lasting friendships throughout the biking community, some of whom accompanied him on his final journey that day.
Jim loved attending bike festivals, creating happy memories with his favourite being the Wibbly Wobbly in Wensleydale and he and Pauline along with friends also travelled to Faro in Portugal for the famous biker festival. They saw great bands like ACDC because music was another great joy, especially rock. He often sang to Charlie, his grandson, and it would have been even better if he had some hair left to really headbang!
Family remained at the heart of who Jim was and and was at the heart of everything he did. He and Pauline were delighted to welcome Lauren and Emma into the family and more so when the grandchildren came along – Charlie, Darcie, Hallie and most recently, Daisy. Jim absolutely adored each and every one. Charlie remembers being picked up from primary school by Jim on his motorbike in the Summer with Granda always taking the long route home. He remembers being taught how to weld at the tender age of only five years old in the garage and the day Jim made his dream come true by bringing ‘Bear’ home – the little dog who sat faithfully beside him.
Darcie has fond memories too of Granda Jim, days out with him and Nana P; trips to Hill End, South Shields and long walks together. She remembered helping him with jobs and his great sense of humour and the best hugs in the world. Hallie loved sitting with Grandad Jim in the caravan, a special place where apparently Nana P wasn’t allowed! She said that when Jim passed, he must have taken the key to the caravan to Heaven with him.
He was over the moon to meet baby Daisy who will be told all about her wonderful Granda Jim in the years to come.
That was Jim, a family man, through and through. A man of few words but fiercely loyal, kind and steady. He had a dry sense of humour, dry as sticks. He would no doubt have found it amusing that he passed away on Friday 13th and his funeral held on April Fool’s Day. Jim was a lovely man, never had a bad word to say about anyone and he would give you his last if you needed it. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him but never forgotten.
Gemma then shared some words from Jim’s great friend, Peter Hope:
‘Today we remember a very special man, a devoted husband to Pauline, an extremely proud dad to Michael and Christopher, a loving Grandad. Family really did mean the world to him. We all know that Jim’s passion was bikes and rallies and he always could be found in his Man Cave fixing bikes and working on some project. The furthest rally we did was Faro – me, Jean, Jim and Pauline, Gary, Nicola – travelling with a tent. It was red hot and Jim was having a nana nap, feet hanging out from the front of the tent with his wool Santa socks on, Pauline shouting – ‘What the F*** have you got on your feet? Everyone was bad laughing.
‘Jim was going to a rally one Friday, bike overloaded, as always, bag full of Brown Ale. When they got Hexham, a young lad pulled out in front of Jim and knocked him off his bike. The young lad jumped out to help him right his bike and get back on it. Jim said, ‘I’m okay’ and looked at his tank bag to check his beer was okay before jumping back on and heading off to the rally – didn’t even ask the lad for his insurance details. As long as his bottles of Brown Ale were okay, nothing was stopping him getting to his destination.
‘We were at the Wibbly Wobbly Rally and ‘Paradise’ by the Dashboard Light song came on and Pauline got up to dance and sing, with Jim looking on, smiling with his cold bottle of Brown Ale in his hand, watching her loving life.
‘Jim was a kind, caring, genuine man who brought people together and he will be missed by us all. We will always remember the good times and believe me, there were plenty. Us friends will always be grateful for those good times. I’m sure Jim will have a lot of catching up to do when he gets upstairs. His Mam, Dad, Jinx will be waiting for him and no doubt Gwenda and Pauline’s brother, Allan, their nephew, Karl – they’ll all be waiting to welcome him.
‘Until we meet again, my friend, ride free – from all your biker family and friends. ‘
Another piece of music was played – ‘Copperhead Road’ by Steve Earle – and Gemma invited the congregation to remember Jim in their own personal way.
Afterwards there were more words of comfort from Gemma before some closing words, which included thanks to the staff at Ward 12, Durham Hospital and Mathew Gibson from Gibson’s Funeral Care.
‘Jim came into this world with nothing and he leaves with nothing,’ she said. ‘Nothing but love, admiration and Respect. He left a lasting impression…’
Gemma read a poem and paused for a moment in silent remembrance before the Committal. The congregation took several minutes to leave the building such was the volume of people, to the tune of Danny Boy by Gentri.
Jim Reed is now at rest with those in his family who have gone before him…
After the funeral, friends and family met at Billy Row Club with the place bursting at the seams. It was the perfect ending for the perfect family man.
