Charles Battye (26 Nov 1952 - 16 Apr 2026)

RIP Charles

Happy memories, RIP Charles

RIP Charles, a long illness, very bravely bourne.

I am blessed to be Charles Battye's neice.

My uncle Charles is a local legend. He lived all his life in Hepworth near Holmfirth West Yorkshire. He married Margaret Hall when I was 2 years old which is 52 years ago. Their other niece Rachel and I were bridesmaids and despite rain they had a great day and hopefully I wasn’t too grizzly. Before I was born Charles crafted me a toy box with my name stencilled on it. Charles would tell the story of the surprising fountain of wee I sent towards him on one of the first times he met me. Charles could tell a great story and have a room rolling around in tears.
I remember my gran Jenny telling me the story of one Pancake Tuesday. Charles in his excitement got the treacle out of the pantry and proceeded to dance around the kitchen not knowing that from the upside down tin the treacle was running down his clean school clothes.
My great great Uncle Jack was also a colourful story teller and character. Charles was very fond of spending time with Uncle Jack. I would often struggle to comprehend the broad Yorkshire dialect they would use. I used to love spending time during the holidays at Far Lane. Auntie Winnie’s strawberry sandwiches on haymaking days were worth the hayfever. I loved helping look after Sam calf who was nursed in Charles’s shed and then seeing him grow up over subsequent holidays. Charles was a proud gardener and his peas and broad beans were second to none. Charles had a huge passion for music and football. He also had a very big appetite. I remember a special tin for club biscuits which would come out after tea and Margaret would make big pots of chilli con carne. I also loved the bacon butties on weekends and lashings of tea. One of my highlights of Christmas was when Charles and Margaret played brass for carols at Gatehead Chapel. One of my scariest moments have been in fast cars with Charles flying around blind bends lined by stone walls.
I remember Christmas and other celebrations at Butt lane- probably Boxing Day with both sides of the families.
When they bought the house on Far Lane I was able to observe the team work of the renovation. Margaret was a calm presence for wall paper hanging and Uncle Jack would be there with support and a yarn. I would look forward to Friday when Margaret had a day off. Charles would lovingly rib his mum Jenny with “Eee Jenny” when she told a story of woe. Charles could also “play pop” as Margaret puts it. When I visited from New Zealand and found the Chapel unlocked I managed to interrupt a Parish meeting. On my return Charles played pop with me for generating a phone call to him with queries about why I had turned up inside. They had no idea I was on a whistle stop trip.
I remember at Camber Sands fairground Charles handed me a token for the dodgems which hadn’t been collected and then I pushed the limits by getting maybe 3 free rides.
I was lucky enough to spend time living at far Lane when we transitioned back to living at Clayton West. Margaret was the one who drove me to Youth Group at Shepley when gran disapproved.
One of Charles’s favourite pass times after Jenny passed was to banter with my mum Jan who was easy to wind up too, especially around politics. So many stories and laughs.
Charles enjoyed his football despite hobbling around with sore knees for a few days after a game. I gained extra kuros when my High School friend Rob Wilks who ended up being part of the new Club rooms build when he realised I was related to Charles.
Charles navigated his reducing mobility with courage and ingenuity. He disliked needing to downgrade to a manual gearbox, but offset this with driving a Porsche. He had his Charlie Davidson mobility scooter so he could get to the club and the football field. When he could no longer squeeze the keys of his saxophone he went back to the trombone and then to using his voice. Charles had a lot to share with the world and he definitely wasn’t afraid to express himself. He role modelled a lot for me and he embodied loving kindness with a sharp wit.
Charles was a devoted and loving husband and dad and would drive around the place to Andrew’s skating, football and trials bike fixtures. He had a special place in his heart for his dear daughter Emma who he was also very proud of. Charles was a gushing grandfather and his grandbabies were the brightest sparkles in his eyes.

Rest in love dear uncle.

So sorry to hear of Charles passing. A lifelong friend with so many good memories. Our thoughts are with his family. RIP

Fond memories from Ivan Conroy & Family & Conroy group of builders.

In memory of Charles

So many cherished memories of visits to Yorkshire when our children were growing up and being taken all over the place to museums and theme parks! Then later of Charles tearing around the lanes and car parks on his Charlie Davidson!
We will all miss you SO much. No more pain now cousin Charles. Love always 💔 XXX

I remember Charles fondly from the many summers I spent as a teenager haymaking up Far Lane on fields owned by my Uncle Jack Marsh of Town Gate, Hepworth. Great memories.