Andrew Beadle (20 Dec 1969 - 26 Jul 2019)

Andrew and I never met in person, but when he got in contact by email to ask about Real Wrexham, we corresponded, and I hoped we'd one day be able to meet, but sadly his illness progressed too quickly. I enjoyed our correspondence. He was certainly a talented writer and could tell a great story! Andrew's love of his family, and of our home village of Coedpoeth, shone through it all. He's been in my prayers, and I am so sorry to hear that he has passed. Reading the messages here, it's clear he loved greatly, and was greatly loved. I hope his family and friends find some comfort in that knowledge, at this saddest of times.

In memory of a truly unique guy. The world is much poorer for your passing. Rest in Peace Andrew

I knew Andrew like many others initially from Penygelli school and then Bryn Offa. Although in different classes as a fellow Coedpoethian we always spoke when we bumped into each other. He always greeted me in the standard format "Paul Lindsay 25th September 1969." His memory for dates being remarkable. Although not part of his inner circle he was a regular if periodic presence through life. A number of nights out in Wrexham with Rhodri involved pub crawls usually ending up with a Karaoke session where Andrew blew away the competition particularly when choosing Elvis numbers.

Andrew had a great sense of justice and was happy to join a campaign I was involved with when Wrexham Waterworld was threatened with closure turning up for a photo shoot outside the pool where he was happy to wave a placard .

In recent years our relationship was probably more 'virtual' and we enjoyed many chats on Facebook. This often involved the merits of various tea and coffee shops around the UK, which I was encouraged to visit based on Andrews recommendations. I usually did and was never disappointed as we compared notes. There was definitely a book there waiting to be written.

Andrews bravery and positivity as he battled to the end was inspiring. He was a truly unique person and we are all the poorer for his passing. Rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to Tina, his parents and Lesley and all other family

Paul Lindsay

I knew Andrew like many others initially from Penygelli school and then Bryn Offa. Although in different classes as a fellow Coedpoethian we always spoke when we bumped into each other. He always greeted me in the standard format "Paul Lindsay 25th September 1969." His memory for dates being remarkable. Although not part of his inner circle he was a regular if periodic presence through life. A number of nights out in Wrexham with Rhodri involved pub crawls usually ending up with a Karaoke session where Andrew blew away the competition particularly when choosing Elvis numbers.

Andrew had a great sense of justice and was happy to join a campaign I was involved with when Wrexham Waterworld was threatened with closure turning up for a photo shoot outside the pool where he was happy to wave a placard .

In recent years our relationship was probably more 'virtual' and we enjoyed many chats on Facebook. This often involved the merits of various tea and coffee shops around the UK, which I was encouraged to visit based on Andrews recommendations. I usually did and was never disappointed as we compared notes. There was definitely a book there waiting to be written.

Andrews bravery and positivity as he battled to the end was inspiring. He was a truly unique person and we are all the poorer for his passing. Rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to Tina, his parents and Lesley and all other family

Paul Lindsay

If my emotions would have allowed me to say something in Church this is just a fraction of my memories, my relationship with my best pal Andrew. I can’t believe he has gone!1

My first recollection of Andrew was in Penygelli Junior School, he was wearing a Liverpool shirt which his mam had made a number 7 and had stitched it on to the back. I remember teasing him say it was made from bra material! Good job I was faster than him. The number 7 will play a large part in our later lives that we could never have imagined at this early meeting.

Time passed and secondary school was upon us, the council took away our free school bus passes and the arrival of the old Dyma Fo double decker bus was where we met next. I was sitting nicely with David Hughes (Ralph Pie) when we both heard someone say budge up!

‘Budge up’ the words that would initiate a life long friendship. Every day the three of us would sit together and talk rubbish all the way home.

Those of you who Andrew like I do, will know how precise his time keeping was. At the time I didn’t know, so when he asked what time should he call for me after school, I jokingly said 5.27pm. For the next 5 years at precisely 5.27pm there would be a knock on the door and a question to my mam, ‘Is Marc there?’. Often he would wait 10 minutes in nearby paths until it was time to knock on the door. He was never late and expected the same from everyone else, something that has been engrained in me.

The rapidly developing sport of Kicking the Shoe took most of our time. The rules are quite simple you swing as high as you can then kick your shoe the furthest won. There was even a documentary film shot by Stephen Gittins. The main contenders were The Father of Modern Day Kicking Mr Andrew Beadle, the then newly crowned world champion me Marc Jones and a new kid of the block Dr Stuart Jones, but he was just Stu then and he wasn’t very good much to the amusement of Andrew.

It was on the very swings in the Big Park Coedpoeth that we first came across a mutual fascination for the number 7. From 1994 to present day (with only 2 exceptions) Andrew and me would meet on the 7th of July to have our pictures taken at 7 minutes past 7 and 7 seconds each year we would dress in dresses, wigs, hats, Lycra you name it we have probably worn it on our special day.

Wherever Andrew was he would make sure that he was home for the annual 7th of the 7th picture, even if it meant driving 6 hours from Southampton like he did in 2014. Remember his preciseness with time mentioned earlier, well he put great pressure on the person taking the pictures. It had to be precisely 7pm 7 minutes and 7 seconds as Julie my wife found out to her detriment in 2001 when she took the picture at precisely 7pm 7 minutes and 8 seconds! There was hell to pay. He begrudgingly let her back behind the camera 10 years later and only then because there was no one else to take it. What will I do on this day we had planned to keep going well into our 80s. No-one on this planet would show such loyalty and devotion, but that is what Andrew is like.

Andrew also showed great moral conduct, when one of the slides in the Bowling Park had rude graffiti written on it which children might read, Andrew planned a late night painting raid, calling for Rhodri at 1am they took a 5 litre tin of white paint to the park and painted the whole wooden structure of the slide. Andrew took much amusement when, later that week, over hearing some children ask the Park Keeper, ‘Who painted the slide?’ The Parky saying, ‘The council of course no-one else is allowed to paint it!’ He face and his laugh at this will always be in my memory.

I spent a great deal of time travelling with Andrew, a few years in his Datsun 100A which his dad almost rebuilt, but Andrew’s love of travel grew beyond his beloved Datsun 100A and it was sold for £100 and 51pence, he’s still waiting for the 51p.

So began the inter-railing years. It was Andrew who first introduced me to inter railing. He first went with Berwyn, the following year it was with me and Dr Stu. The whole trip being planned on the Big Park swings, even though we were in our early 20s. There is too much to say about our rail journeys, those of you interested see me in the Golden Lion later.

I remember three days my dad and I spent with Andrew at his house in Spain, we met up with Lesley. Andrew said, ‘Jonesy, you sit in the front she’ll moan about my driving!’ He was right, she did, but Lesley certainly had something to moan about. His foot was on the accelerator then off then on - we were were all going like this. Then classic Lesley pipes up, `Andrew are starting or stopping?’ I was in tears laughing this time it was so funny.

I do have to mention a time in France when Andrew met up with my family. The story is a legend within our family.

In the middle of no-where, they met up and went to a bar for a few drinks, song broke out as was usual on a night out with Andrew. Across the room it was evident that a group of people were looking at Andrew and nodding. They eventually plucked up the courage to come across and approach Andrew.
‘Where you at EuroCamp interviews in London?’
‘Yes’ was his response.
‘When asked in the interview group did you say That you most admired Tony Wedgewood Ben?’
‘Yes’ said Andrew as the interview came back into his memory.
‘You were Mr Blobby?’ Andrew shouted.
An amazing coincidence, but obviously Andrew’s character. Personality had had a huge impact with this group so much so that they remembered all about him. So in the middle of no-where in France he still reached out to people. There must be thousands of bars in France but only one Andrew Beadle.

It could only happen to him.

Andrew had the most fantastic memory for facts, but particularly dates. On nearly every time we met, no scratch that - on every time we met he’d say it’s Jason Lewis birthday today 30th August 1970, it’s Darren Peter Williams today 20/02/70, Colin Evans 28/12/69. It’s your dogs birthday today, I’d go home and ask when was Topsy born and guess what - yes it was my dog’s birthday.

When in 1996 Andrew picked up literally Tina and lifted her into the air, little did I know that he had found the love of his life.

Andrew’s love for his whole family was the most important thing in his life. He would often turn up at my house with Lily after they had been up to the Ponderosa. We would have a cup of tea and talk rubbish and act daft, while Lily 7 at the time would tell us to grow up! Two 40 year old men being told off by a little girl. Brilliant memories.

Team Taid’s children meant the world to him! He was so proud of each one, i know that took real pleasure in hearing Matthew and Rhys playing instruments, he’d often be heard saying Rhys hasn’t had a single lesson you know, he was so proud.

There was no-one like him and I’m pretty sure there will never be another one like him. You all have your special memories and stories of the times you shared with him, thank you for listening to a fraction of my special times with the friend I called Beadle!

My life will never be the same, but it is so so much better from knowing you. I will remember you every day and I know you know that I will.

You the Man!!

I’m deeply saddened to hear that you have flown away, Andrew. I’m sure you’re in a peaceful place.
We met at Glan Clwyd in October when we got talking about nutrition.
I have never forgotten your Mum’s kindness when my Dad was there.
Reading these beautiful messages, it’s obvious how much love you have left in the hearts of everyone who knew you.
I’m very grateful to have met you.
Thank you. Rosalind

Andrew was my brother. From a child he was always compassionate, loyal and someone who loved his family. He had a wonderful way of writing and I never tired of reading his memoirs. Even though I was abroad living he managed to phone me most mornings despite being so very ill. Not once did he complain about his illness , instead he would focus on the positive and prepare for future holidays especially next year's trip to Provence with his devoted friend Marc. I have lost a wonderful brother and that void will pain me forever. Rest in peace Andrew. Until we see each other again, your sister Lesley xxx

Andrew our courageous son we were Blessed to have you and will always cherish the memories of you Andrew you gave us such happiness with your warm smile. You were always so loyal to us both. Nothing was too much trouble always there to help us when needed Andrew fought a courageous battle against such an aggressive thing the tumour did not beat Andrew's mind only his body. God Bless you and keep on singing with the Angeles until we meet again XXX

Andrew our courageous son we were Blessed to have you. And Will always cherish the memories of you Andrew you gave us such happiness with your warm smile You were always SO loyal to us both. Nothing was too much trouble always there to help us when needed. Andrew fought such a courageous battle against such an aggressive thing .the tumour did not beat your mind Andrew only your body .GOD BLESS YOU and keep on singing with the Angeles until we meet again XX

ANDREW our courageous son we were Blessed to have you. And will always cherish the memories of you Andrew you gave us such happiness with your warm smile. You were always so loyal to us both. Nothing was too much trouble always there to help us when needed Andrew fought a courageous battle against such an aggressive thing the tumour did not beat your mind ANDREW only your body. God Bless you and keep on singing with the Angeles until we meet again XXX

Andrew our courageous son. We were blessed to have You. And will always cherish the memories of you. Andrew you gave us such happiness with your warm smile. You were always so loyal to us both. Nothing was too much trouble always there to help us when needed. ANDREW fought a courageous battle against such an aggressive thing. The tumour did not beat your mind ANDREW only your body. God Bless you and keep on singing with the Angeles until we meet again XXX