Where do we start.... our Dad (Adrian) was born to Pike & Theresa Parrish on 27th March 1949 at De Parys Avenue, Bedford. He has an older brother Hugh & a younger sister Cherry, whom he was
very close to. Dad spent the first few years of his life at No 3
Jubilee Cottages in Marston Moretaine before moving down the road to Church Farm. From a young age Dad loved working on the farm with his Dad & always wanted to be farmer.
Dad first met his wonderful wife, our Mum Vicky in the early
1970’s when she use to potato pick on the farm. It was at this time Mum fell in Love with Dad. At the age of 12 when Mum was asked at Girl Guide camp what she wanted to do when she was older she replied marry Adrian Parrish. In 1973 at the age of 15 Mum finally started dating Dad the love of her life.
Dad enjoyed young farmers club & with the persuasion from our Grandad Dennis, he agreed to take Mum along with him. In the words of our late Nan Francis she said Dad would often run out of petrol on the way to picking Mum up and when he did finally turn up he’d stand outside talking to the neighbours for hours.
Everybody loved him and she could see why Mum loved him so much.
Dad asked Mum to marry him at the Anchor pub in Cambridge & they married the following year in 1976 on the 5th of June. They then moved in to their home in Wood End, Marston Moretaine. It’s such a beautiful happy family home surrounded by good neighbours. Their first daughter me (Alison) was born in April 1977 closely followed by their second daughter Anita in May 1978, & their third daughter Rachael in August 1984 (not the most
appropriate time of year for a farmer).

Sadly in 1982 Dad’s father Pike passed away. Dad stepped up & took on the farm, where he worked incredibly hard & long hours alongside his devoted wife. They built the farm up to what it is today, which meant diversifying in many ways so he could always provide for us, his family. We are all so proud of what our Dad achieved and are confident in saying he was one of the best farmers in Bedfordshire, possibly even England. I’m sure all the farming community here today would agree.
Over 25 years ago Dad started an informal partnership with The Owen family, starting with a shared combine. This partnership grew in friendship as well as farming. They went on to purchase much more machinery together & shared the workload of the farms. We cannot thank the Owen family enough for all their support during Dad’s illness & the continued support they are giving to our Mum.
We enjoyed it when Dad took the odd Sunday afternoon off &
would go to the pub as this meant we could usually ask for what we wanted. One Sunday when Dad had been to the pub for a few Guinness’ we asked him to go to Disneyworld, of course Dad agreed and Dad never broke a promise. As always he stuck to his word & we did indeed go to America for a wonderful family holiday.
We enjoyed our surprise mystery tours often getting in the car or catching the train to Bletchley. We later realised the purpose of these mystery tours were for Dad to look at his & other farmer’s crops but we didn’t mind, in fact we loved those trips out.

Dad loved to walk and climbed lots of mountains including Ben Nevis and Snowdonia. In 1984 Dad and his friend Dave went on a
climbing weekend, camping in the Lake District. Dad had never camped before. Dave cooked a tin of meat and vegetables using a camping stove. It was ready after just a few minutes, Dad said he wasn’t going to eat it as when Vicky cooks meat it takes at least an hour, so it must be raw.
Dad telephoned home from a phone box, Dave thought it must be to check on Mum because she was pregnant with me (Rachael). She was shocked when Dad asked Mum to go outside and cover the potatoes as there was going to be a frost, of course Mum obliged.
Dad loved his weekly domino nights & then crib nights in later
years. He also thoroughly enjoyed cycling, he combined this love with another passion of his raising money for charity. He cycled from home to Cromer raising a lot of money for various charities
including Sue Ryder St Johns hospice where he spent his final 10 days.
Another time he took on a challenge with friends to cycle from Carlisle to Bedford along the old A6. His friends were well prepared with touring bikes but Dad arrived with a mountain bike. His friends said it was the type of bike your Nan would have been proud of in 1960. They adjusted his saddle, brakes and gears to try and make things a little easier. His friends said it would have been difficult for him but he never moaned once and actually beat them
cycling up hills. It just showed his strength and determination. Dad always loved his music from Bronski Beat to Paloma Faith,
Black Sabbath to Rag & Bone Man. If we ever wanted to know who sung a song we’d always ask Dad.

As well as being a wonderful Husband, Dad, Father in Law, Son, Brother, Uncle & friend Dad was also an incredibly proud Grandad to Charlie, Taylor & Hollie. Dad was never fazed & he’d think nothing of taking his grandchildren out for walks, tractor rides, or letting them help in his beloved vegetable garden, even though they were more of a hindrance than a help. I remember the time Dad said if people assumed the grandchildren were his, he would proudly let them. He was as proud of his grandchildren as he was of us.
There are many friends we’d like to thank for their continued help and support. From cutting hedges, giving logs, driving Mum to Addenbrookes, walking Ronnie & Betty or even just popping in for a cup of tea to check on Mum. We can’t thank you all enough.
As most of you know Dad was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic
Syndrome a very complicated disease, but as always Dad remained brave & positive reassuring us girls throughout. Dad was our hero, our superman and he always will be. He supported all of us in every way & everything we chose to do in life. Dad gave everybody a chance in fact more than one chance, hegave them as many chances as they needed to come good. Dad wasn’t afraid of dying just of leaving his family behind. He fought so hard not to leave us but sadly it was his time to go.
These are just a few of the comments we have received from
family & friends since Dad passed away –
A true Gentleman
Sweet & Kind
Generous & Funny
Hardworking
Always Cheerful
A Great Laugh & sense of humour
An absolute Diamond
He cared not only for his family but also for the villagers & village
Always busy but made time for everyone with a genuine interest
He made the world a better place.
We can see by the amount of people here today that our Dad wasextremely popular & loved by many.
Dad thank you for being the most amazing Dad we could have ever wished for.
Dad we will never forget you & that beautiful smile that you never lost even when very ill.
Until we meet again, you will forever be in our hearts.

We Love you Dad.