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The Woodies have a blog. It’s a kind of collective. Not sure we’re about to start a revolution baby, but we might kindle a small debate or two and perhaps raise a smile. Anyway, rather than just blogging corporate Woodreed by fielding our top Woodie (as so many other companies seem to do in a thinly veiled attempt at impressing with their profundity), we wanted all our individual voices to be heard. An agency’s most valuable assets are its people after all. Everyone’s got something to say here and with us everyone’s ideas and opinions matter.

Each week someone different will be blogging. It's mostly about stuff that rocks our world as well as the flipside – the things that just don't cut it with us. We'll blog about inside and outside – inside this glorious industry where we work and outside in the real world.
It's a bit of an experiment, so go with us on this one.

Hope you enjoy.

Tuesday, 11 January 2011

Inspirational Mum

It may seem rather odd that I have chosen my Mother to blog about – but since her fabulous and humbling Thanksgiving Service at the majestic Chichester Cathedral, it has dawned on me just how inspiring she was. Not content with schooling in beautiful Blackpool, she went on to study at Liverpool University. Doesn’t seem too impressive in itself, but when you consider this was on the cusp of the end of WW2, it puts this single-mindedness and commitment into perspective.

After being wooed by my Dad (and she made him work for it!) she dutifully followed him around the country, and in course, raised 4 fabulous children (from Shrewsbury to Chichester via Truro). In those days, it was the men who worked, and the women brought up the family. I don’t think she bore a grudge to this, but as soon as she felt able, she embarked on her personal crusades.

She turned her hand to local politics and became a City and District Councillor, was elected Mayor of Chichester in 1994, was Chairperson for the W.Sussex National Institute for the Blind and RSPCC, was always involved with the community and was responsible for the twinning of Chichester with Ravenna. She visited HK to drum up business for the College of Technology where she lectured communications and taught French and was Chair of the Graduate Womens Society.

She taught me that you just need to apply yourself to things, for them to happen.

She read the paper everyday and insisted the radio was a highly under-rated form of information.

She also taught me never to take on a German Shepherd with nothing but a canvassing form in your hand!

She was the most inspiring lady I have had the pleasure to know, to love and call my Mum.

5 comments:

  1. What a beaufiful piece of writing and how moving. She obviously was inspiational to you, your family and her collegues. So it must be a great loss but you will always remember in such a meaningful way, as detailed in your blog.

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  2. Simon, what an inspirational lady - I have to agree with her views on the radio (as those who read a previous blog of mine will confirm)and what a wise lady with regards to German Shepherds! Listening to what she got up to it reminded me of a saying 'If you want something doing, ask a busy woman'! Sounds to me like she was the embodiment of that maxim. You were a lucky son.

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  3. What a lady and what a lovely post. Here's to Mrs Hooley.

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  4. Thank you so much for sharing your lovely mama with us Simon. She would be so proud of you x

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  5. This post is truly beautiful Simon. You were lucky to be around someone so special.

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