Richard Spedding - Humanist wedding, vow renewal & funeral celebrant

24/04/2026

This is what keeps me going and going and going. 🥰🥰🥰

24/04/2026

It’s estimated that in the 1980s, over 10 million people visited Blackpool Pleasure Beach Pleasure Beach Resort each year, and all those visitors needed feeding. This was the responsibility of Eddie Barnes and his dedicated colleagues.

Eddie moved from near Bury to Fleetwood at the age of 14, with his parents, Ena and Ted, along with his sister Sheila and brother Alan.

After attending catering college, he spent more than 25 years at the Pleasure Beach, where he earned the trust of the Thompson family, even cooking for them at private functions.

However, Eddie was much more than just a skilled chef. He was married twice and became a father to Laura, Edward, and Gerrard, in addition to being a beloved stepfather to Louise and David, and later a granddad to ten.

Eddie had a passion for motorbikes and music; he was self-taught on the guitar and had a knack for “accidentally” tuning into fascinating radio frequencies.

Always a fun character, he maintained his playful spirit even as his mobility declined in recent years, famously playing hide and seek with his grandchildren in his wheelchair.

Eddie's vibrant personality and love for life will surely be remembered by all who knew him. 🎸🏍️❤️✨

18/04/2026

Sometimes, I’m truly amazed at the insights I gain as a funeral celebrant. Yesterday, during Nev Rushton’s funeral, I spoke about hashing, which I defined as:

“Hash activity in Cyprus is a long-standing, active, and social tradition, with multiple chapters across the island, particularly around the British bases. The groups, often called ‘kennels,’ combine running, walking, and social drinking.”

Nev, who spent much of his retirement in Cyprus with his wife, Mo—engaged in a lot of hashing which involves enjoying socialising with friends.

Nev, who had a successful career in the gas and oil fields around the world, was much loved by Mo, his children Lee and Hayley, and stepchildren Mags and Audrey, along with all their families.

Nev was a well-loved man who grew up in Bispham and finally settled in Lytham and will be missed by so many.

His legacy of joy and connection will certainly live on in the hearts of those who knew him. ❤️✨

18/04/2026

Enjoy your Saturday!

16/04/2026

Some interesting current wedding trends courtesy of Bride Books.

Interesting one for me is the average age of married couples being nearly 35 years old.

And I also am staggered by the average cost of £20,604 - and that doesn’t include honeymoon and engagement rings which increases the figure to £25,815!

13/04/2026

I’m sure you can appreciate the immense satisfaction that comes from receiving lovely reviews like this one.

Each ceremony I conduct is crafted to be as close to perfect as possible—no stone is ever left unturned.

This particular review resonates deeply with me, especially as it highlights my role as a storyteller.

The narratives I share are the heart of my ceremonies, making up about 90% of the content and experience.

To me, that’s the core of my funerals which, hopefully, truly enriches the occasion, allowing each ceremony to reflect the unique journey of the individuals involved.

Knowing that my storytelling is appreciated adds an extra layer of fulfillment to what I do! 📖💖✨

11/04/2026

David Shaw truly knew what brought him joy in life—particularly his music, especially Elvis and practising on the Telecaster, spending countless hours building Meccano models, and cherishing time with his family and friends.

Work wise, he was a familiar face at Lancashire Constabulary, where he worked for many years delivering the mail.

Upon his retirement, he received a massive card signed by various departments, with many of the ladies proudly dubbed “rum lasses” by David himself.

His legendary cycling style was also a topic of fondness; it was said that three strong pedals was all he needed to cover some impressive gravity defying distance!

David was deeply adored by his family, particularly his parents, Dorothy and John, his sister Barbara, niece Kathryn, and nephew Stuart.

They were a constant support for one another, contributing to the rich quality of life David enjoyed during his 81 remarkable years.

I concluded the ceremony with Neal Buckley Funerals in true Elvis ‘Las Vegas’ style, saying,

“Ladies and gentlemen, David Shaw has left the building.” 🎶✨🚴‍♂️

10/04/2026

Us Leeds United fans are absolutely everywhere! Even in the heart of Freckleton, you’ll find us—like Chris and Gordon, who I had the pleasure of conducting a ceremony to celebrate their 30th vow renewal this evening at Freckleton Sports and Social Club.

Originally married in Oxfordshire, Chris and Gordon moved to Blackpool 19 years ago to pursue their dream of running a hotel on Kirby Road.

After ten successful years, they sold the hotel, with Chris teaming up with another Chris to run her ABC cleaning company, while Gordon took on the role of site supervisor at Carr Hill School.

During the ceremony, I shared their wonderful journey so far and what they hope to achieve as they continue their beautiful marriage.

After exchanging personal vows and rings, all their guests expressed their heartfelt support for the couple’s ongoing journey together.

I love conducting vow renewal ceremonies, and having fellow Leeds fans makes it even more special! 💙⚽️💍

10/04/2026

Looking forward to my tour of Lancashire today - Weeton ➡️ Charnock Richard Crematorium ➡️ Accrington Crematorium ➡️ Freckleton Sports and Social Club.

Two funerals and 30 year vow renewal

10/04/2026

Seventy-seven-year-old Dave Bond was truly a character, always making the most of his surname.

One of his nicknames was “006 and a half,” and he loved working with his “Bond Girls” at the DWP.

Though I never had the chance to meet him, he sounded such a nice people—a downside of my job!

Dave spent most of his life in Blackpool, aside from attending university in Cardiff and a brief period working abroad.

After trying his hand as a language teacher, which didn’t quite suit him, he dedicated the rest of his working life to the DWP.

Outside of work, Dave was a talented pianist and had an impressive knack for gardening, proudly showcasing his green fingers.

He also had a strong altruistic side; he served as both a union representative and a respected Labour councillor for Clifton Ward in Blackpool.

Being surrounded by close family and friends was important to Dave. His nieces, Bobby and Nova, spoke beautifully about the impact he had on their lives and those closest to him.

Quite frankly, the world could use a lot more people like Dave, who leaves behind a remarkable legacy for all who knew him. 🌟🎹🌿

09/04/2026

Another excellent resource for men to meet up with others to discuss their mental health - so many great stories of hope on this page.

No Lancashire groups yet but hopefully it won’t be too long before some are set up.

Men Walking and Talking CIC focuses on battling the stigma around mens mental health. 👊🙏🚶🚶‍♂️

08/04/2026

Today’s trip to Fleetwood!