"BIG GEOFF" REMEMBERED

Family and friends met up to say farewell to one of Brigg’s real characters, “Big Geoff” Bratton, of the Newlands estate.
Geoffrey Kenneth Bratton died aged 71, and a celebration of his life was held at Woodlands, Scunthorpe, prior to cremation. The fact it soon became "standing room only" at the back, demonstrated just how many people were keen to pay their respects.
Plain-speaking Big Geoff, a former Brigg sugar factory and Scunthorpe steelworks employee, did not want this to be a sad occasion; he wanted people to remember him with a laugh and a smile - pint glass in hand. So after the morning service, buffet and drinks were enjoyed at the Ancholme Inn, in Grammar School Road, Brigg, long into the afternoon.
His sons spoke with fondness about their dad at the crematorium and back at the Ancholme - and there were many comforting words for Josie, his wife. By request there were no flowers, donations being collected on behalf of the RSPCA.
Funeral arrangements were by Naylor’s.

A montage of photos from the family collection, showing Geoff at various times in his life. It was on display in the function room at the Ancholme Inn.

Josie Bratton (right), Geoff's wife, during the get-together at the Ancholme Inn, remembering some of those happy days. With her is Jayne Fisher, a close friend of the family.