Officially this is a notification of Hester's funeral. However, to me It is a notification of the Celebration of Hester's Life. The Celebration will be on Thursday 21st November at 2pm GMT. Most of the main events will be happening in Welwyn Garden City, UK where Hester has lived for the last 8 years.... I have created two separate events on Facebook; The main Celebration at 2pm (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1409863882581753/1410890815812393/?notif_t=group_activity#!/events/611396348924067/) The evening party (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1409863882581753/1410890815812393/?notif_t=group_activity#!/events/1420013301562291/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular). PLEASE accept the invitations if you think you will come to either/both of them so that I roughly know numbers... The day will be as follows: 2pm: I will bring Hester to Woodhall Community Centre in the VW van that we met in and travelled around Australia in. This location is actually just across the road from the Veterinary Practice where Hester's beautiful cat Juri had to be put to sleep a few years ago, and is also just a tiny distance away from the Nursery where Millie went and Maika is now very happy... We will spend that time sharing and celebrating Hester and what she meant to us all. 3pm: We will take Hester in the van to the crematorium, which is about 30 minutes drive away. Family and close friends are welcome to join us. Anyone is actually welcome to join us if they feel they need to be with us at that time, but all that will happen there is that we will say goodbye to Hester. We will be there at 3:56pm - two weeks exactly from the time she died. Originally we were planning to hold a small fireworks display; this is what Millie wanted, and Hester knew about, but plans have changed slightly so we will be doing this with Millie and her school friends at a later date. 6-7pm: We will start a party for Hester. This will take place at the Shamrock Club in Welwyn Garden City. Not a perfect location, but they have proven difficult to find so that guests visiting from abroad can also make it. However, the venue is fine and it's about the people and about Hester. Hester wanted lots of bright flowers at the funeral. I do not care whether these come from a florist or from a supermarket as long as they are bright and beautiful. If you do want to use a florist, please contact Ellie at Wild Ivy (www.wildivy.co.uk, ellie@wildivy.co.uk) as she is a parent at our daughters school and is donating 100% of profits on flowers for Hester to the fundraising page mentioned below, so you get to do both things at once! I am also raising money for the Isabel Hospice in Hester’s memory. Check the "Fundraising for Isabel Hospice" link at the top of the page for more details. You can friend me if you want, or email directly: tom.taylor@acephir.com Please come if you are able. xxx