Brian Woolgar (1 Apr 1962 - 4 Aug 2019)

Donations from Sharon Neill-Hall & the Cornish crew and from Les Cossington
So, so many thanks for all the messages/cards/invites and donations
Lots of love, Helen

Really missing you. With all the love in the world 'Sweet' -

For my lovely Brian including donations from Margaret Dickinson, Larry Springthorpe, Jackie Bennett and Linkage Plus ladies

Thank you Brian for all your support and mentoring over the years as Unison Rep. Miss our 'catch ups' in the cafe before company meetings

I worked with Brian on many cases over years he was dedicated kind and very thorough and always up for a good laugh in the process

RIP Brian you were one of the very best xx

Thank you Brian

We could share a lot of memories we've accumulated over the years..but this one always makes us laugh.
Helen and myself took ourselves off to see 50 shades at the movies. Word spread around the Black Lion that Bri was in bed with three women that night! After several wines I'd forgotten they were having my bed! I woke up next to Helen and Ted (her teddy not a bloke!) and Mia my collie trying to get on the bed...poor Bri going " not the bloody dog as well Sweet" Lucky Brian eh hahaha...

Can't quite believe you're not with us anymore Bri but in our hearts forever you will stay!
Thanks for all your guidance and support over the years (especially in troubled times), all the fond memories and great laughs..but most of all for being you 💖
Love and miss you Sharon , Pat , Joe and Mia xxxx

The members of our branch have lost a fierce advocate and reps a reliable mentor. We have lost his encyclopaedic knowledge of the hundreds of community employers, his sense of humour and dedication to fighting for the most vulnerable. Brian left us way too soon but he fought as fiercely and as quietly, for as long as he could. His departure is heartbreaking for everyone in the branch. Brian will be missed (already is), but won't be forgotten.

I got to know Brian when I answered an advertisement for a flat share in Hove, Brian was a postman at the time and myself and Ceri were still studying the other two were Australians travelling, which undoubtedly enhanced Brian enthusiasm for travelling the world. I look upon this time as one of the happiest in my life, with four great flat mates.

The flat was the top floor of a five storey converted house in a terrace, it was possible that Brian who found it was possible to access the roof through the bathroom window. It had a flat section that extended the length of the terrace and all of us sometimes exercised by walking the length of it five floors up, not only that but we had parties up there.

Brian at the time was working for the Royal Mail as a postie and must have gone to work soaked on occasions as I myself was as a regular prank on each and everyone of us was to throw a bucket of water over whoever was leaving the flat, if it was too late for them to return to change their clothes. It happened to me frequently as it must have done to Brian.

Brian’s revenge in additional to retaliation with water included finding any expensive ive text of myself and Ceri and then writing in them with his left hand “this bok belong Ffion aged 23 3/4”

At this time, us flat mates realised his fanatical devotion to West Ham United leading us to continually question why his loyalty to the nearby Brighton & Hove Albion. He did not endure this with good grace!

When visiting Brian and Helen in London, his enthusiasm for WHU has provided me and Mike with many entertaining moments. Mike and I usually took the opportunity to exclaim that WHU won the World Cup whenever we passed the statue of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst etc.

We very much enjoyed our visit to Brian and Helen in London, though I am not so sure that they admired the facilities afforded them when they visited us in Llanelli. We took to a sand storm on Pembrey beach and in deference to Brian’s enthusiasm for public transport we took the Heart of Wales line to Sugar Loaf thinking that there would something touristic there by the mountain, we climbed a 50 foot embankment from the station admittedly on steps to find at the top absolute nothing. We all had to hike 5 miles to the nearest facility (pub). No complaints but then Brian and Helen they were perfect host and guests.

I know Brian really impressed Mike as he got to know him. For me Brian was such egalitarian and humane person that you could not fail to be touched by his personality and philosophy of life. I am sure this also applies to so many other people who knew him as well.

He will be greatly missed

Ffion & Mike xxx

I first met Brian in the Curtain Road, UNISON branch office sometime back in 2004, a place that was almost certainly Brian’s second home.

With his encyclopaedic knowledge of the varied world that is the Community &
Voluntary sector, he became my mentor and guide. More tellingly, he also became
my friend

Warm and open; completely committed to the cause of fighting for a fairer workplace and a better world, it was impossible not to like Brian. He was a rock in a tough old world but one with a soft centre.

’....I don’t ask the wounded person how he feels; I become the wounded person...’
counsels Whitman. Brian, these words capture your fighting spirit, a life-force that will be sorely missed and not forgotten.

Rest in Peace, Brother, Friend, Comrade

Colin Inniss

Brexit. Discuss.
I'll miss our heated conversation!
You're already missed by many.

I met Brian during university days way back when. He was a smart, kind, considerate person with a fun sense of humour who never judged anyone. He has been taken way too early and my thoughts are with his family, especially Helen, Jean, Adrian and Bobby.
Only the good die young.
RIP Brian.

I met 'Woggy' long after I was introduced to the name by AD. his youngest brother, a new piece of tarmac had been laid at a service road to a petrol storage yard at Shoreham Port, opposite The Albion Pub, Fishersgate. Adrian proceeded to wright in 15 foot capital letters, @WOGGY, GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN'. Reading the previous messages it seemed Brian never changed.

My personal memory is,, his patience and generosity. When I was a young, man, boy really, I was (still am)? a mouthy uneducated mouthpiece, he never judged or laughed at me, even when I became a fully paid up member of Thatchers (Loads of Money) army, at fifteen.

We became close friends and shared a flat for some time, I cant actually remember how long,, but it was fun. Again never judging me on my views, rather we would crack open some Newky Brown, roll a few and get into it.

All my thoughts and love to Helen, Jean and the whole Woalgar tribe who have been and continue to be so kind to me, I love you all.

'WOGGY' GONE NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN

Brian was a pleasure to work with, passionate about his job, a dry sense of humour with plenty of stories to suit every occasion! He was well respected by employers even whilst strongly arguing against them, and was always honest and forthright. I'm sure he will be missed by everyone who worked with him.

I only knew Brian for a short time but I will remember him always , he is one of those rare people you meet a in life , a fighter against injustice. I will miss his wisdom and strength to keep going when you really want to give up..I will miss him.