Three years ago, three young men, three young deaths …

 

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Three years ago last weekend, three young men with their lives before them were snatched from this earth in a way that was as cruel as it was unexpected.   Bruno Max and Conrad were school friends on their gap year.  They had only just begun their travels in Thailand when the coach they were traveling in backed out onto a busy highway and collided with the on going traffic.  They were killed instantly.   This was a mere six months after Josh’s death in Vietnam.   All four young men were setting out to discover the world and to discover themselves.

We only know of this tragedy because Josh’s sister Rosa is friends of friends of Bruno’s family and was visiting in London when the news came from Thailand.   A sad coincidence then that we have got to know them all well in the past few years.    Conrad’s mum Amanda and Bruno’s family Gillian, Bella and William have become good friends and we think of them often but especially at this time.    Bruno’s girlfriend Saffia made theimage above and you can see more of Brunos’s work as a photographer here Beyond Goodbye – Continuing Bonds – Bruno Melling photographer 

We have also met Max’s dad Gerhard and his partner Madeleine – earlier this year Gerhard returned to the scene of the crash and made this film.

We think it is beautiful

 

thanks for watching

Jimmy

June 2014

On Fathers Day

On Fathers Day


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Fathers don’t grieve like mothers do

Fathers don’t hurt like mothers do

Fathers don’t yearn for a lost child like their partner will

Fathers are quite good at pretending that everything is Ok … ish

I’ve seen some father’s cry while their friends turn away

but I’ve never seen a father howl in anguish and cling to another

because the pain is too great

My father is now a distant memory. He taught me how

to bear life’s punishments but not to bare my soul

He would disapprove if I shared my son’s death

and talk about him as if he were still alive

What’s past is past he would say

and he would know because he fought a war

and saw many comrades fall

Life is for living was his constant refrain

and in a way he was right

But then I didn’t die before him

Did I?

Thanks for reading

Jimmy

June 2014 

 

my son

 

Josh Edmonds Memorial Scheme – Candidate chosen!

After a long and careful deliberation we have been able to select the next candidate for an internship with the Ministry of Sound.    Jane and I (Josh’s parents) along with Andy Freeman from Cirencester College and Lewis Murphy (last years successful candidate) met to pour over the applications and choose from the shortlisted interviewees.    A rewarding if slightly daunting task.     All the candidates were in their own way suitable so the decision really came down to who we felt would most benefit from occupying Josh’s shoes for a month at one of the nation’s best know clubs.

Josh’s Memorial scheme was started as a way of honouring his memory, his work and his passion for music and video.    Having studied at Cirencester College Media department, Josh then moved to London where he work as an intern at the ‘ministry’ for a few months before becoming a full time employee.   In total he spent three years producing over 200 video clips for the brand.    We feel sure he would be pleased with the way the scheme is going and would approve of this years successful who is …. (drum roll) ….Barnaby (Barny) Wilson

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Barny Wilson – candidate no 2 for the Josh Edmonds Memorial Scheme

Barny is 20, has grown up in rural Gloucestershire, went to Cirencester College has had a few gigs as a dj (Motion in Bristol) and in a sense is already following in Josh’s footsteps.

‘I’ve immersed myself in dance music culture since my early teens’ he says, ‘and I’ve wanted to be part of London’s creative arts scene right from when I first got into electronic music; …  (MOS) is obviously a cultural hub and hot spot for emerging talent and amazing opportunities, so I can’t wait to get stuck in’.

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aged six and already on the sticks

We wait to see if Barny continues down the music route or uses this opportunity to hone his video skills.    He has already started a blog about his experiences which you can read here  Barny Wilson’s Ministry Of Sound Internship – he starts at the Ministry at the end of this month June 2014.

A big thank you to all who applied for the scheme (shame but there can only be one candidate selected), thanks to Andy and Anita Pring at Cirencester College for organising the selection process, thanks to last years intern Lewis Murphy for your inspirational lead,  thanks to MOS for continuing to support the scheme and huge congratulations to Barny.   We know you will be fitting and accomplished filler of Joshua’s shoes!

Jimmy 9th June 2014

Here’s the link to Barnys blog again 

blog MOS