England 2

Geoff Shaw Champion

He beat on life like on his drum, played some bass notes, but ended backing some divine music - Geoff

Bill Amos, ex editor, Lancashire Life

Wolfram was a one-off. To compensate for his blindness, which he faced up to courageously, he took up body-building and cultivated a macho image. But he was not insensitive. His feelings could be hurt.

It was perhaps his blindness which prompted him to develop the colourful imagination which inspired his occasional sallies into Walter Mitty-land. But he didn't need to be a Walter Mitty. He was quick on the uptake, and the way he coped with his disability set an example to be admired. It is for this that all who knew him will remember him.

Phil Smith, broadcaster, Radio Lancs and Radio 4

My first contact with Phil was a voice on the phone saying "If I said 'Autumn Leaves' to you, what would you reply?" My answer was, "So long as you didn't want to stuff them down my knickers, it would be okay." Phil has a wonderful style, he can get you to say anything, just by sticking a microphone in your face and smiling gently. I once invited him to an equinoctial bonfire and he said, "Will there be crackling leaves?"

I used to interview Geraldine a lot for the radio and when I visited her, Wolfram was often there, busy at his music console, and would sometimes remain, adding the odd muttered drollery. But on one occasion Wolfram was very much central to the subject we were recording - the rejuvenative effects of magnetism.

By a strange coincidence it was on April Fool’s Day in 1998 when Geraldine sent Wolfram to the shop for some milk and he fell down a hole in the shop floor, damaging his knee, and effectively putting him out of action. This was an unusual situation. As Geraldine said at the time, Wolfram was like a machine that never breaks down. Anxious to get him back in harness as soon as possible, she resorted to magnets. She’d heard a programme on the radio extolling the virtues of something called "bioflow" magnets, said to be capable of fixing racehorses with broken legs and putting then in contention to win the Grand National. Soon Wolfram was wearing a magnetic bracelet on his wrist, in eager anticipation of restorative results. He was not disappointed. However, the effects were not upon the damaged knee but on other parts. Within only two hours of putting it on, Wolfram was demanding his conjugal rights, a state of affairs that Geraldine found very agreeable. Thinking to up the volume, she secreted a huge music speaker under his side of the bed – he had once told her these contained magnets. I wanted to draw a discreet veil over the effects of this subterfuge, but Wolfram, in his usual forthright manner, was only too happy to enlighten our radio listeners and would have done so, but for the intervention of a nervous editor.

Being of a scientific turn of mind, Wolfram pooh-poohed the idea of magnets possessing any kind of therapeutic power, though I did notice he wore the bracelet far beyond the time one would expect the injury to have healed, thus ensuring he enjoyed the side-effects for a long and sustained period.

Steve Humphries, Producer, "Married Love", Testimony Films

I’m so sorry to hear your news. Thanks you so much for telling me. I’ve just looked at the website and it is a fantastic tribute to Wolfram and your life together.

I didn’t know that he had got so depressed and ill, but I can understand why, given the break-up of his relationship with you which had obviously given him so much support and security over the years.

My memories of you both are of the playful and positive attitude to life that you once shared together. You gave him a lot of happiness over the years. I know you’ve got the strength to get this through this latest sadness and challenge in your life. Take care.

Love

Steve

Gregory's TV

A valued customer and friend for many years - Gregory's TV

John the fish!

A sad loss

Boyce's

With remembrance from all at Boyce's - Bill - Pete

Hayhurst's

Sadly missed from all at Hayhursts Camera Shop

Yorkshire Bank

In memory of a lovely, gentle man - Colin Sagar, Yorkshire Bank, Nelson

Nelson Leader

A very pleasant man who will be missed - Peter Dewhurst, Nelson Leader

Alan Dolphin

Happy Memories in the garden - Alan Dolphin

Janet McLardy

Will remember the fun times with you and Val - the parties in the garden and the allotments - Be at peace - Janet McLardy

Brenda and Ron

Remembered with great affection over many years. We shall miss you Wolfram - Love, Brenda and Ron

Noggarth Top Cafe

Hope he is looking down on Pendle - "amazing grace" - was blind but now can see - Margaret and Roy Hope - the cafe, Noggarth Top

Paul and Marian Barrow

Wolfram touched our lives with his constant cheerfulness and positive attitude to life, gained through his music, cycling and allotments. He will be remembered with affection by Paul and Marian Barrow



Guest Book		If you have a memory you would like to add, you can do it via the Guest Book. It won't go live until it's been seen by me, so you can add any personal messages or instructions, and say which bits you would like publishing on the web. A copy will also be printed and put in the Books of Remembrance.