Gentle Giant
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"Tubby was 6'2", 18 stone and had the biggest, roundest belly that I'd ever seen." Emma pays tribute to a special grandfather whom she believed was indestructible.
Transcript
"Tubby was six foot two, eighteen stone and had the biggest, roundest belly that I'd ever seen. He had a moustache that tickled my nose and used to love nougat from the seaside. I idolised my grandfather as we all did, he was our gentle giant.
I'd always ask to stay with Nan and Tubby. I'd watch him potter in the greenhouse with the tomatoes. I'd go with him to collect the newspapers and then watch him read them cover to cover and spend the day battling the crossword.
I loved the way he cooked me Fray Bentos pie and tinned potatoes when we were alone and I loved it when he'd pick me up from school and take me to the Nash Cons (National Conservatives) club to buy me a glass of pop and a packet of crisps whilst we waited for the Nipper bus home.
Tubby had enormous hands. When he renewed his vows to my Nan on their 50th anniversary his ring was specially made. He would hold his hand out to me and say "stick your hand in there". My little hand in his made me feel safe. I thought that he was indestructible but he wasn't.
Tubby died five years ago - it wasn't sudden but I still felt angry and unprepared. I regretted not spending more time with him towards the end.
It makes me feel sad to think that he'll never meet my partner Lewis but I know that he is still with me when I need him most and that he is proud of me. I will always love my Tubby and treasure the memories that we share."
An interview with the author
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I am 22 years old and live in Newport with my partner Lewis. I graduated from the University of Liverpool with a degree in History and am now the Community Memories Project Officer based at Newport Museum and Art Gallery. I love socializing, watching Wales play rugby at the Millennium Stadium, dancing and going to concerts.
What's your story about?
My story is about my grandfather Tubby and the memories that I have of him. It's about the little things that we did together that I remember so fondly.
Tubby died five years ago and since his death we rarely talk about him as a family. I wanted to celebrate the happy memories that I have of him and to let him know that even if we don't say it we are still thinking about him and miss him dearly.
What did you find most rewarding about the workshop?
For me it was seeing not only the finished version of my film but also everyone else's. The group was diverse but yet we all came together. Over the workshop we built up a friendship. The workshop was fantastic and I'd like to thank everyone who made the journey with me for making it so memorable and so much fun.
