28th March 2013
1/4/2013 We have just received a message from Mike’s daughter, George, to give the sad news that Mike died peacefully in his sleep last night (Thursday 28th March). She said that he has battled really hard but over the last day or so he seemed to have accepted the inevitable and just relaxed and slept.
Mike joined the Disabled Ramblers in 2007 and soon took an active role in helping to run the rambles. He was seen on 14th July 2010 just about to descend Worcester Beacon on the Malvern Hills with the rescue trailer loaded with a broken-down powerchair. Mike was twice awarded the Wenman Trophy in 2010 and 2011 for his outstanding contribution to the Disabled Ramblers and this year was awarded Honorary Membership.
Mike’s Funeral – Wednesday 10th April 2013
Mike’s funeral was a non-religious ceremony that turned out to be a wonderfully informal expression of love for a truly special man. Over a hundred people attended, including nineteen from Disabled Ramblers, and we entered the chapel to the comforting music of Glenn Miller’s ‘Moonlight Serenade’.
The ceremony included poems, prose readings and a section for spoken tributes so I was able to say some words on behalf of Disabled Ramblers about the Mike that we all knew and loved. Other tributes from family and friends expressed similar emotions and feelings for Mike that showed how kind, caring, selfless and genuinely unpretentious he was to everyone he came in contact with.
After the tributes we looked at photos of Mike in the programme, especially one with his beaming smile, while ‘Bring me Sunshine’ by Morecambe and Wise was played. It was an intensely moving part of the ceremony.
There were more readings and a ‘Final Farewell’ before we were played out by the ‘Exit Music’ which was ‘Convoy’ by C W McCall in memory of Mike’s time as a ‘Trucker’. This put a smile on everyone’s face which I’m quite sure that Mike would have approved of and enjoyed.
It was one of the most memorable funerals I have ever attended and was absolutely right and fitting as a tribute and memorial for our very dear friend. Tony & Dorothy Dickens
Mike’s funeral was very moving. It was very informal to reflect the amazing character that was Mike. The chapel at the crematorium holds over 100 people and was full to overflowing. 18 Disabled Ramblers attended, and Tony Dickens gave a tribute speech on our behalf.
Other tributes came from Mike’s family, the wife of Tom Bindoff and impromptu memories from the people gathered there. What came over very strongly was how much Mike was loved and respected by all. Everything he engaged in was to do with the countryside and nature and helping other people, and in such a generous way. The Service started with “Moonlight Serenade” by Glenn Miller, followed by the tributes, and there was a lot of laughter from everyone when stories of his exploits were told, and this was followed by readings and poems that made a fitting way to say goodbye. The exit music was “Convoy – C. W. McCall” which sent a ripple of laughter through the audience present. After the Service Mike’s family invited all back for refreshments at The Berkshire Arms, and I’m sure that day was the fullest the Berkshire Arms has ever been! Val Rawlings
We were very pleased to see that 17 of our members attended Mike’s funeral at Thatcham. The crematorium was packed with family, friends, neighbours & former workmates. We were addressed by a range of people representing those present; several family members spoke sharing fond memories of Mike as brother, father, Grandfather & uncle, as did Gill Bindof as friend & employer. Tony Dickens responded on behalf of Disabled Ramblers acknowledging the huge contribution Mike made to the enjoyment & safety of our members.. Every word expressed about Mike was quickly recognised by us all & he was clearly valued by all of those present. We were very well looked after by the family with a generous buffet at a nearby pub. Jim & Dorothy Mills
Cheerful through all adversity; we will miss you Mike. John & Liz
Colin and I are so sorry to hear of Mike Longbottom’s death, but are glad it was peacefully in his sleep. He was a lovely man, always helpful and kind and enjoyed all the rambles. We will miss him so much. Our condolences to his family. God Bless you Mike. Sue & Colin Raymon
May I offer my condolences to George and the rest of Mikes’ family. I will remember Mike for his kindness and total lack of ego whilst helping disabled Ramblers. He will leave a big space behind which will be hard to fill. Regards, Sandy Slack
Thank you, Mike, for your constant and solid presence at our rambles. You helped Robin with my ailing Tramper last year so that I didn’t miss out on any rambles. You will be missed by a lot of us. Celia
R.I.P. Mike – glad I got to meet him – Mave Hiseman
I’m sorry to hear about Mike’s death. Please pass my condolences to his family. – love Caroline Platt (Peak District)
We are so sorry to hear the terrible news about Mike but we are glad he had the loving support of his family around him. We will miss his cheeky helpfulness and of course the great contribution he made in enabling the rambles to happen. We would be proud to attend a memorial ramble for Mike. Jude and Carole
Well darling man, we hope you are looking down on us all, especially when we are rambling, saying “Good on yuh”. Thanks for everything you did for Disabled Ramblers and for your lovely treasured friendship but especially those grand hugs. We will miss you enormously. Linda Peter & Pips
We enjoyed Mike’s company on rambles in 2011 and 2012 and, like so many other members of Disabled Ramblers, will miss him and remember him with much affection. Ian & Anne Robertson
Many good rambles enjoyed by us with Mike’s support and enthusiasm; we will miss him very much. A notable ramble for us was in the New Forest a few years ago when Mike’s dog, Quincey, was playing with the wild pigs in a clearing near our picnic lunch spot – we still laugh about it. Brenda & Keith Harris
We enjoyed meeting Mike last year for the first time, his enthusiasm for DR was evident, he was a pleasure to chat with. So sad he won’t be with us this year, he will be sadly missed. Shirley & John
What a great guy! Always willing to help any of us in spite of his own disability, and so cheerful it was a pleasure just to turn up for the start of each ramble to be welcomed by that grin! He worked so quietly for us that any problems were hardly noticed and each ramble concluded with a dash to “the facilities” which were always ready and waiting! His mechanical knowledge was often called on and knowing where to get a replacement wheel for the MSU half way up Snowdon was invaluable!! He frequently changed his vehicle to ensure he could fit in with our needs as well as Quincey’s and he was the least demanding of us all, always putting others before himself. A wonderful friend who will be greatly missed by us. Jim & Dorothy
Although, as relatively new members, we did not have the long association with Mike that others have had; he was clearly a real Supporter of Disabled Ramblers, both the body and its members individually. Having been towed off on one of our first rambles due to a fake battery, we did experience some of the good humour and genuine wish to help that epitomised Mike. He will be greatly missed. Chris & Ron Lyon
My sincerest condolences to you all, Mike was well loved by all at “Disabled Ramblers”. I know I will miss him a lot, always ready to help anybody no matter what problem they had large or small. Tony Hunt
You’d volunteer to be the back-marker and there would ALWAYS be somebody needing to stop or getting into trouble and there you’d be – waiting and consoling and picking up the pieces. We’re going to miss you Mike. Jan & Stuart Kemp
We’ll miss you big guy! Always will remember you showing off on your new Tramper on Pepper Pot last year. Miss your cheeky grin too – not to mention Quincey’s (very) enthusiastic welcome on each ramble. Sue & Ted Jeffery