Graham Osborne RIP our dear friend and colleague our Mr. O.. 3rd October 1950 - 14th April 2024
Login Details For Webcast Streaming of Graham Osborne’s Funeral Monday 13th May at 3.00 p.m. Streaming order summaryStreaming details for the service of Graham Osborne at 15:00 (BST) on Monday 13th May, at Easthampstead Park Crematorium, run by Miles & Daughters - Reading are as below. Watching Live & On Demand Website: https://watch.obitus.com/te9ugn Username: biki5321 Password: 592110 Watching LiveYou will be able to view the live stream approximately 5 minutes before the service start time. Please be aware the service is in a public building and earlier services may overrun. Please use your discretion should you see activities unrelated to the service you are here to view. In advance of the service, we strongly recommend you log in to the site and test your internet connection.
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It was with enormous sadness that the Officers & Committee of the Southern English Springer Society had to announce the passing of our past chairman Graham Osborne. It came as a great shock to us all to learn that he was taken very poorly on Friday 12th April, and was rushed to hospital. The doctors did their very best to make him as comfortable as they could, but sadly he passed away on the Sunday. Our thoughts are with his wife Carrie, family and friends. We will in due course be paying a full tribute to Graham on here and have include a page for those of you who wish to share memories/condolences of the time you have had with Graham in your lives. He certainly had many strings to his bow.
Morning Graham, how did you get on with Ernie this month? This was a conversation we would have at the start of every month, usually with him reminding me to check my premium bonds to see what I had won, he was always much luckier than I was. This was on a chat group that he set up with me and Kay Woodward when the three of us was going to the world dog show in Madrid, sadly it never happened due to his mobility and then Covid, but the chat group, Three Let Loose in Madrid, stayed and we chatted almost every day about all sorts of things. I fist met Graham when I was invited to join the SESSS Committee, I remember at the AGM he said, ‘whatever happens Committee, stays in Committee’ – I thought I’d joined the secret service, however, it wasn’t long before I was engrossed in his stories, of which there was many. I am sure our meetings wouldn’t have lasted so long if it hadn’t been for the stories, he particular liked the ones that included a ‘’blond’. He helped me with all sorts of things, one of which was giving me advice on what I had to do to get to Ireland with the dogs for the Irish Circuit. On our fist trip he waited at the port for us, so that we boarded together and then at the other end we followed him to Clonmel, the first show, then after the show we followed him to our cottage, I wonder where would we have ended up without him? He was such a great knowledge on all things Irish, having travelled extensively throughout the country for work, so it was water off a ducks back for him. One of my favourite stories he told was when he was working in Killarney and called in to the Laurels, his local hostelry while over for the circuit, however this work trip was in June. He said, he walked in, the landlord looked at his watch and said to him – you’re three months early, and pulled him a pint of Guinness. We got closer over the years, sharing many lovely times in Ireland together, chats ringside, where he not only knew a lot of the Irish exhibitors but also the international judges, as he was known all over the dog world. I miss him so much already, I miss the chats, I will miss his advice that has proved to be infallible in the past. I think of him every day. My only consolation is that he is now pain free, if his body had been as determined as his mind and attitude he would have been walking again years ago, but that wasn’t to be. As they say in the dog word – Run Free at the bridge Graham, I’m sure you have had a couple of rounds of golf and more than a few pints of Guinness. One day we will meet again and we will have that trip to Madrid. Your friend forever Les xx Lesley McCourt
I was so so saddened to learn of the passing of Graham Osborne. I had known Graham and Carrie since the early 1980's meeting them at Springer and Cocker Shows and when attending the local ringcraft which included a mega Christmas party each year, which Graham was always involved with. Then of course with the wonderful S.E.S.S. Society whose committee I had always said was one of the best in the dog community, which he was a big part of as long as I can remember. When I was a nervous 20 something year old starting out, Graham with Pat Hollywood stood out as so welcoming and friendly which was not always the case at dog shows ! One year at the Watford venue Graham helped me load and unload the car when I had injured my back and later at Chalfont venue would hurl occasional fun insults across the stage at me while he ate lunch and I Photographed the dogs. He always had a good story to tell and I never quite knew which ones he told me were true. He was full of canine knowledge and I will miss our involved chats. My deepest condolences to Carrie and family at their loss. Graham Osborne was one of life's very special originals and I was privileged to call him a friend. He will be very much missed.
Tracy Morgan Tracy Morgan Animal Photography
What a shock it was to receive the news thar our dear friend had passed away, we had known Graham for many years, then in 2002 I made my first of many trips to Ireland for the circuit shows, it was then that I got to know him not just as a bloke who showed ESS 😀 he just loved the Irish trips and we had many lovely weeks making memories, all the U.K. exhibitors and of course his Irish family the Beattie’s loved the annual meet up at the Beaufort Arms for dinner it was always a great night, it appeared all the pub landlords knew him ! Graham was a font of knowledge with the KC rules and regs and never failed to answer my queries, he helped me so much and I’m sure he willingly helped many others too. Lesley McCourt, myself and Graham had a little chat group for quite a few years and rarely a day went by that we didn’t chat about something or other especially after he became housebound, I certainly miss those chats and I’m sure Lesley does too. Graham was delighted when he was passed to award CC’s in WSS but sadly had to pull out of the appointment due to his disability but I know he lived in hope and was determined that one day he would do it but sadly that wasn’t to be. Rest easy Graham no more pain. Your friend Kay Woodward
This news came as a great shock, just as we were all thinking how much more positive Graham sounded following his protracted stay in hospital last year. So many of us have worked closely with Graham over the years and I was taken aback by the impact this news had on me, not only a huge sadness that his last years were beset with pain rather than a retirement planning golf days and trips to Eire where he was at his happiest. Like Louise, it was his kindness I recall most vividly rather than his sometimes domineering mannerisms at meetings! He was a pleasure to work with during my tenure as secretary and I regarded him as a wise mentor who taught me much when I took my first steps into Society affairs as a novice to the show world. My telephone bills in those early days were extravagant enough to prompt comment from my other half I had been talking too much to my chairman! We will all miss him terribly but there is comfort to know he is now pain free and resting in peace after a life of devoted service to dogdom and our breed in particular. Celia Woodbridge
I have known Graham for 35 years and worked closely with him on the Southern for the past 26. When he turned his hand to being the Treasurer of NWA, I was pleased to be able to lend a hand. Graham had a wealth of experience and knowledge; he had a strong opinion on most things but was always willing to listen to others. After suffering with his health over the past few years, he had appeared to have turned a corner, so I was shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. I considered him a true friend and will miss our chats immensely. Paul Osbourne (Braego)