Shock and sadness: village mourns a tragic passing

St Stephen’s Church in Ambridge will be open 24 hours a day this week for people who wish to pray or to share memories of Nic Grundy, 37, who died suddenly of sepsis last Friday.

To reflect the depth of feeling in the village, where Mrs Grundy was (mostly) a much-loved figure, we are giving over our front page to a guest tribute from the Revd Alan Franks.

Our exclusive photos of Jennifer Aldridge and Pat Archer in the sauna at Grey Gables, which we felt compelled to publish after the Borchester Echo’s so-called ‘Champagne Gate’ scoop, have been held over to next week.

The Revd Alan Franks writes: ‘Nic touched all our lives’

On my desk as I write I have a Lenten candle, decorated in purple ribbons by Nic Grundy. For those who don’t attend church as often as I’d like (you know who you are – sorry, only joking!) the Lenten candle ritual is like the Advent crown, only in reverse. Instead of lighting a candle each Sunday as Christmas approaches, you start by lighting all seven candles and extinguish one each week as Good Friday draws near.

When Nic left us last Friday, five candles were still lit. But with her sudden passing, it is as if a light that shone on us all has been snuffed out, leaving us in shadow.

Who does not have a fond memory of Nic? For myself, I owe her a huge debt of gratitude for her work with the Sunday schools in my four parishes. Children loved her, and I can’t think how we’ll manage without her. (In fact, if you are interested in helping out, do please drop me a line at the vicarage ASAP).

Last Christmas, Nic organised the Nativity play at St Stephen’s and we joked that she had the talent to direct the Ambridge pantomime. But with typical modesty, Nic said I was much better at it (she was right, as usual). Nic was a natural people person, and I have no doubt that, in time, she would have been a valued volunteer working with the homeless at The Elms, subject to the usual DBS checks of course.

Nic was one of those people who just gets on with things. She could be so quiet, you’d almost forget she was there. Then suddenly she would pop up, full of spirit – and that was certainly true in the past few months. Readers may have seen Nic serving drinks in The Bull; reassuring a nervous Toby Fairbrother about fatherhood; celebrating Will’s birthday at Acapulco Rocks in Felpersham (how Nic loved a burrito!) or assisting Fallon Rogers at the Darrington Vintage Fair.

But wherever Nic was, you knew she was busy being a wonderful mum to Jake, Mia and little Poppy, a loving stepmum to George and a loyal and devoted wife to William. My thoughts and prayers are with them all, and the whole Grundy family.

When someone passes away so quickly, there is always the possibility of regrets, of unfinished business, of things that were said, or not said.

There may be people reading this who wish they hadn’t sacked Nic from her job at The Bull, or told her off for serving a soft drink to a drunk customer, or provoked her to a stand-up row over pork scratchings, or accused her of leaking the secrets of the Mr & Mrs Quiz to the tea room, or refused to let Will have the day off so he and Nic could enjoy a family day out.

We may regret now that we didn’t take time to tell Nic we loved her (not in any inappropriate way, of course) and that we were too busy to take her dancing (again, not me, of course).

And it may be that for some, the manner of Nic’s death stirs up painful memories. It is surely a cruel coincidence that her infected cut was caused by handling junk that had been damaged in the flood – a disaster that is still spreading misery and heartbreak through Ambridge, and has claimed another victim.

But now, as then, we will come together in grief, and in strength, for Nic’s family and for our wider community.

Rest assured, St Stephen’s is here for anyone who wishes to voice difficult feelings and find a listening, non-judgmental ear. Appointments are available every second Wednesday, between the ‘Ham and Hymns for Him’ men’s brunch and Tea and Taizé at The Laurels. 

Other news in brief

• Brian Aldridge, beleaguered chairman of Borchester Land, survived an attempt to oust him at an emergency board meeting this week after securing the support of Justin Elliott. Mr Aldridge later denied being drunk at a meeting with potential clients at Grey Gables. ‘You mustn’t believe what my mother-in-law Peggy says,’ said Mr Aldridge. ‘She’s just cross because I said I’d prefer it if she kept her pussy in a separate room.’

• Bridge Farm is holding a competition to name two new goats that Pat Archer is buying to provide milk for the company’s kefir drinks. ‘We’d like their names to  reflect health and an aspirational lifestyle,’ said Susan Carter, who has been appointed manager of the new product range. ‘I like Gwynnie and Goop, but apparently that might lead to copyright problems.’ First prize in the competition is a wellbeing workshop on gut health at Bridge Farm plus the opportunity to help Helen Archer salt the whey. (What that? Ed).

• Concern has been expressed at Borchester District Council level about Neil Carter’s appointment as manager of the new Berrow Farm pig unit. ‘We know Neil is a man of integrity, but he risks being compromised as chair of Ambridge Parish Council if he is in the pay of Justin Elliott,’ said an officer. ‘We are worried that this conflict of interest won’t pass the sniff test.’