Alan Frederick Longdon (26th March 1942 - 6th October 2025) 83yrs

Monday the 3rd November at 11:30 in St. Peter's Church, Portishead was the time to celebrate Alan’s life.
The Reverend Tonya Nixon conducted the well attended service. Alan was a well loved husband, father and grandfather and was involved in many local communities. He had an allotment garden at Beach Hill. He only gave up his plot in August and it was in a wonderful condition as he was still working it throughout the summer. He was a member of the Portishead Bowling Club which followed on from his enthusiasm for Ten Pin Bowling and was a Portishead Probus member for many years. He was a keen Rugby fan and enjoyed the upsurge in Women's Rugby and topically he supported the Royal British Legion Appeal as a poppy seller. Alan was one who could command attention whenever he entered the room with his bubbly disposition and joking nature.  Their daughters Amanda and Elizabeth gave an excellent tribute for his life, delivered with love and humour.  The congregation was invited to partake of light refreshments at the Bowling Club after the service.   He will be missed by those who knew him well.

Andrew Owen (1/3/1947 - 22/7/2025) age 78    -   A tribute to Andrew

Andrew's life was celebrated at the Portishead Methodist Church in the High St. on the 14th August 2025 at 2.30pm. The Rev Nick Moxon conducted the service. The church was well attended and several Probus members were present. A private crematorium service had been held earlier. Andrew had been suffering for some while with a dementia condition and just before he deteriorated he had offered himself for the position of Vice-chairman of Portishead Probus, but unfortunately had to withdraw from that.

Andrew has left a major legacy for Portishead for he was instrumental in the construction of the new Beacon Hub attached to the church. As a professional Civil Engineer he was involved in its design, construction and some land acquisition needed. He was also involved in its architecture and project management being a big supporter of the Methodist church from an early age. It was through the church that he met Ann, some 8 years younger, after knowing her for several years. Whilst they were engaged he was offered a position abroad, but the accommodation offered did not cover unmarried couples, so they had to have a quickly arranged wedding to qualify. (times then were much more formal than they are today)

Andrew’s wife, Ann, gave an excellent two part eulogy of their lives together, which she delivered in a very professional manner (especially as she had a big emotional involvement). They were blessed with two sons with whom Andrew was able to share his love of cricket and football. Andrew was particularly pleased that his grandson was keen to wear the Aston Villa strip of his favourite club. Apart from sport Andrew had strong connections with the Scouts, the Lodge and Probus as well as enjoying travel.

He will be sadly missed by all those who knew him.  At the end of the service members were invited to take coffee and cake in the Beacon Hub and further refreshment at The Windmill in Nore Rd.       JBS

Anthony  Charles (Tony) Tucker  ( 15/3/40 - 17/5/25) aged 85

On Friday 20th June a memorial service was held at St Nicolas Church, Portishead to remember Tony who passed away peacefully on 17th May 2025. The church congregation was at capacity and the service was conducted by our Rector the Rev. Rob Eastwood Dewing.

Tribute delivered by his children, Kat and Simon

Tony was born to Percy and Phyllis in Beach Hill Portishead on the 15th of March 1940. He went to Slade road school and after leaving aged 14 he became an electrician apprentice.  He worked at the Power station in his early career before starting and running a successful electrical and plumbing business. He had many local contracts from schools, police and pubs in the area, to local landmarks such as the Hawthorns, rewiring Clevedon Pier and putting up Clevedon Christmas Lights for many years.

If that didn’t keep him busy enough, he was also a retained firefighter for 15 years at Clevedon Fire Station, and a Gordano School Governor, where he was chair of the site and buildings committee, as well as being a pupil mentor.

Dad often read lessons and intercessions in this St Nicolaus church, and then return to his seat, which was known to some as ‘the naughty pew’. He had so many achievements, as we've mentioned, but another was receiving the Freedom of the City of London, and he would tell everyone “I can now walk my sheep through the streets of London”, even though he didn’t have any.

Outside of work he had a love of the theatre, and enjoyed singing with the Clevedon Triangle club and the Clevedon Comedy club. He was always singing – perhaps half a note ahead of everyone else… and he would happily be the first one up dancing – he enjoyed music - the wireless would be on all day, every day. We all have fond memories of dad singing, Looby lady, Little boy kneels, and Yellow Bird.

He was an avid football fan, following Leeds initially, then being a season ticket holder at Bristol City and Aston Villa.  Football was always on in the background and Dad travelled to watch football all over.

Forever the sociable one, even though he told everyone “I’m the quiet one in the family”– his calendar was full, even in more recent times he still had daily clubs from Men’s Monday club, Senior Strong twice a week, Probus and Lodge meetings, he couldn’t sit still for long.

Now… Changing the subject slightly…Definitely not the domesticated type, mum took care of the cooking and looked after Dad very well – but when he did cook, his speciality was cooking Eggy bread! Avoid any talk of a BBQ though, as it would be guaranteed to be burnt. He would often say “I’ve only got a small mouth” but with a renowned sweet tooth, he was known for wanting a pudding, carrying sweets or pinching sugar cubes in a cafe. His favourite snacks are known by his grandchildren as Grampy crisps, Grampy cereal and Grampy sweets.

He adored his wife and his love was his family, encouraging them in everything and was always there for them. He gave us all opportunities and support – always there to offer guidance, or just an ear to listen. He was playful, the best Grampy- if you needed anyone to dress up as Olaf the snowman to recreate Frozen for his grandchildren – you knew where to find him.

We enjoyed caravan holidays, and trips abroad too – family time was very important throughout his life and we cherish these wonderful memories. You always knew when Tony walked into a room. Either because he was already cracking a joke about how he got there or someone’s bad driving, but also because he lit up the room with his smile and his engaging personality. 

The font of all knowledge, there wasn't a thing he didn't know about the village and people often recognised him as Mr Portishead. There are so many words people have used to describe Tony since he left us – brave, loyal, strong, funny, loving and kind. He had charm, quick wit and cheek, and was a generous good man. One of a kind - we are forever grateful to have loved and been loved by him, and will miss him dearly. 

I know you’d say you were only resting your eyes, but this time - sleep well, Dad.    Probus members will miss him too.    

Melvyn (Mel) Peter Dennis Godden, (7 Sept 1940 - 4 April 2024) aged 83 our former Chairman, has sadly passed away 

A tribute to Mel Godden

Mel was born in September 1940 and raised in Bishops Stortford.  He had a happy childhood, adored his parents and went to school with many of his cousins and remained friends with them into their vintage years, The family were not well off but they were happy and always had a holiday every year.  When Mel was five, his sister Judith was born and they spent many happy times discovering life together. Mel was 17, when his younger sister, Sheila, was born. 

Senior school was not something Mel enjoyed and he could be a rascal at times. On leaving school he started work at an insurance company, at age 15, as a post boy, but made steady progress.  Mel was 20, when the company recruited a 17-year-old shorthand typist by the name of Pauline. All the boys fancied her, but she chose Mel by tempting him with warm donuts every morning, hiding them in his top drawer. Love blossomed and they married on June 15, 1963 in SE London. (They celebrated their Diamond Wedding in 2023 and received a telegram from the King.) Their first home was rented in North London, but it wasn’t long before they were buying their own home in Rainham, Kent where they enjoyed the following 5 years.  Mel was thrilled to become a dad on the arrival of Julie in 1966 and followed by Pete in 1969; this completed his family.

Due to Mel’s progress within the insurance company, he was offered a relocation to Bristol. In 1976, now aged 36, the family moved and settled in Warmley. In Warmley, Mel found a love for chickens, gardening and growing vegetables that is until the horses from the adjoining field started to sample his produce. The family moved to Portishead after that!.

After many family holidays, and having raised their family together, they began to travel once the children had left home. Travelling was something both Mel and Pauline enjoyed. They travelled to 57 countries, embracing numerous cultures, seeing breathtaking sites and creating wonderful memories together.

He became Senior Claims Superintendent for the Southwest, a role he was good at, but also enjoyed. He was able to retire at the age of 60 after 45 years of service in the insurance industry.

Mel became a grandad with the arrival of Charlotte followed shortly after by Harry and then Sophie. Mel adored his grandchildren and they had a special place in his life. He was known by them as ‘Grandy’. He took great interest In everything they did and visited each of them at University.

Mel was very socially minded and had many friends and interests. He was a member of Baycon Butty club, Monday club, Portishead Probus club (formerly 73, joined in 2006 becoming Chairman in 2013), The Lions and Portishead in Bloom. He took on many roles including being Secretary. He was an avid Bristol City supporter, attending home games with his son Pete for over 20 years. 

Throughout his life Mel made many lifelong friends as he would talk with anyone, by being friendly and generous with his time.  After his cancer diagnosis, he was determined to remain active and independent for as long as possible, He was offered the use of a scooter and this helped him immensely to keep his independence. Throughout his illness, he was a fighter, he was brave, a little stubborn, very stoic but a total inspiration to others.

Mel will be deeply missed by his family, his friends and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.   JBS