Farewell Brian 'Cunner' Cadman: Atherstone turned out to applaud one of its own – a firm favourite right to the last
By Nick Hudson
4th May 2020 | Local News
STREETS LINED WITH MOURNERS FROM FUNERAL DIRECTORS ALL THE WAY TO THE CREMATORIUM
HORSE racing fan Brian Cunner Cadman said his final farewells to Atherstone with cheers for souvenirs from the town's "grandstands".
Covid robbed the district of another well-loved character last month but today hundreds turned out to show the 77-year-old was a firm favourite in the bosom of the community.
His final journey began from funeral directors M G Evans, taking in Station Street as the cortege turned into Woolpack Way – and waiting at the junction with Long Street were many familiar faces on both sides of the road.
The mourners broke into spontaneous clapping and after a brief pause outside his 'favourite' place in town – Atherstone Conservative Club – the hearse, with family cars following behind, turned into Long Street.
More friends and acquaintances clapped his progress through the middle of the town, outside the Co-op, McColl's, the Red Lion and his 'second favourite' haunt – William Hill bookmakers, a place of infinite pleasure for those who follow the fortunes of the turf.
The procession went into Ratcliffe Road and then turned right into his own street – Princess Road – where again it paused before heading out towards the A5 and Nuneaton Crematoirum.
In terms of people paying their respects in these coronavirus-restricted times – there were more lining either side of the crematorium entrance before the funeral director walked the hearse down the final straight towards Mr Cadman's funeral service.
His family has said it would "mean a great deal to them" if townsfolk were to pay their respects – as they had for 76-year-old Jean Fulleylove's farewell last Thursday . The townsfolk did not disappoint in terms of turnout.
Nub News revealed last month that relatives, unable to be at the bedside of Mr Cadman through Government restrictions, praised the staff of the George Eliot hospital for their "care and love" as they sang him on his journey into the next life. The nurses lifted their voices while he passed away.
Mr Cadman is one of eight people in Atherstone and Mancetter to have lost their lives with six more in the villages of Baddesley, Baxterley, Bentley and Grendon, according to newly-released figures from the Office of National Statistics.
His funeral was exactly a week after another town Covid victim – retired 3M worker and well-known wedding photographer, Roy Allitt, who also died at the George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton, aged 64.
With only 10 people allowed to enter the grounds of Nuneaton Crematorium, the family has promised a celebration of Mr Cadman's life lockdown is eased – with donations going to the George Eliot Hospital.
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