I've known Celia for about 15 years and we had a very particular relationship, mostly through Barnstorm, and I really valued knowing such an intelligent, talented, caring, stroppy, humorous, experienced, up-for-an-interesting-life woman. We had endless chats in the kitchen at Jordan's Place and that house has witnessed so much for me * the hot hot summer of the first Barnstorm where we lived in the garden and Simon Richmond got very drunk and my nephew Nick wore a large white flower in his hair * one summer Celia was very poorly with a wheat allergy induced illness, she got very thin and had to lie on a recliner in the garden with Gordon devotedly by her side. I was very very worried about her because I thought she might die, but she bounced back and was strong again the following year * Tessa and Jon's wedding when one of the guest's asked me if I was the bride's mother * loving the wedding for it was so resourceful and unique and amazing * talking about Vicky Tate's breast cancer in the kitchen and worrying how Joe Tate was doing with it all, we hardly knew little Harry Tate at that point * presenting Celia with the news that Greg no longer wanted to be with me * then at that Barnstorm finding myself laughing for the first time for months, struggling to learn how to text and Neil Morley teasing me because I was so slow * my diagnosis of breast cancer and Celia and Gordon's concern and cards * feeling the safety and security of Celia and Gordon and their home returning from cancer treatment to Jordan's Place with my short hair, knowing I was safe there * In the midst of my depression arriving at Jordan's Place and suddenly feeling OK again , a feeling of safety and enjoying eating Celia's fab food and putting on a few pounds when I'd got so thin with anxiety * doing honey and lemon with Celia and getting hot and sticky in the kitchen and the young people adoring us like we'd presented them with champagne * sharing a generational thing with Ceel that I can't with Tessa, knowing about the 50's and 60's and being real socialist and all that * having the telly on all the time in the kitchen, the only time of the year when I actually know what's going on in the world * Celia's committment to Thomas through all he struggles with, using tough love to try and help him, continually wanting to help him find his way, embracing him at Jordan's Place doing his own thing amongst the mayhem invasion of Barnstorm * Celia and Gordon coming from Mayhill to my house warming party at Springhill * the grandchildren being the best in the world as every grandparent should feel (mind you, Jo and Tessa's ARE) and I like seeing Tom with the children because he comes alive again. I am gutted that she has gone, there is a big hole. I have hung a little picture of her on my wall. Jez said at the funeral 'forget going on about how wonderful she was to set up Barnstorm in terms of the life-changingness it is for young people, what about us Barnstorm adults ? ! We have a total ball' or words to that effect. So true so true!!!!!! For me the important markers in the year are Christmas, my birthday, Jessie's birthday, Harry's birthday, holidays away, and the best is BARNSTORM. If it carries on in 2009 it will be very very strange without Celia but her spirit and principals are EMBEDDED and that won't ever go. In this contribution I send my biggest love to her and to the amazing Holt family - dear Gordon who I love , Thomas who I am very fond of because we have a laugh and he came and rescued me last Summer when I tripped Jordan's Place lights , Jo and Al who are ever so cool looking and Al gave Jon his white shirt off his warm back when Jon had forgotten to bring his to his own wedding, and Tessa who is my colleague and friend who is totally amazing on every level and I feel extremely lucky to share work with her and that she puts up with my dying brain cells and being ancient compared to her and Jez , and was calm and kind with me (as was Celia)through my horrendous 18 months of deep anxiety and depression, when I would sit like a zombie in meetings and have no ideas at all, and she would make me food. I could go on, but will stop now Jo Bousfield x
Josephne Daphne Bousfield
17th November 2008