Eulogy of Adam Clark'The Teenage Years'

Adam,what can I say, a very special young man who was warm, unassuming and exceptionally good-looking.In fact, going out with Adam did nothing for my street cred, it was a bit like 'Beauty and the Beast'. Adam valued highly his family, friends and work - material possessions weren't important.For someone so young he had a mature and considered outlook on life.But he could still be a cheeky monkey.

I first met Adam when he came to visit his Nan and Paps in his early teens and we hit it off straight away. We were very like-minded and held the same passion - the environment. Our close friendship grew from there and Wendy(my wife) and I loved him popping in - usually when it was teatime!!!

Not long after, in 1998, Adam and his family came to live here along with a menagerie of pets, which had had to travel up the motorway in a separate van. By then he had already endeared himself to us with his big brown eyes and a face that was always smiling. (INFACT I NEVER SAW HIM WITH OUT A SMILE).

Although Adam was very dyslexic - he never let it stop him from what he wanted to achieve. He was very nervous when he started John Ruskin School at 14. I remember, after his first day at school, he came running down the drive with his shirttails a flapping. (HIS SHIRT WAS ALWAYS HANGING OUT!) -After asking the usual questions about how he'd got on.

I ASKED - WELL WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR LUNCH?
I DIDN' T HAVE ANY?
WHY NOT?
BECAUSE, he said, I COULDN'T FIND THE DINNER HALL - BUT I KNOW WHERE TO GO TOMORROW!!
His sense of direction was legendary.

He quickly settled into school and was very happy and content where he was well liked and made some good friends. Although Adam probably came across as quiet and thoughtful he was very determined and would rise to a challenge. The school's fell race, which needs fitness, stamina and 'bottle', was an important challenge. He did incredibly well improving his position each year with a very notable 4th in his final year. NOT BAD FOR A SOFT SOUTHERNER!! He had a point to prove.

Adam's great love of the countryside was influenced in his art work, especially during 'FOOT- AND - MOUTH'. -One piece of artwork showed two sides of a cow's head - one half in a green field and the other half of the head riddled with disease. With a picture of a syringe above. Its title - Vaccinate or not? Adam was very moved by this crisis and art was the perfect way to express his feelings.

For his work experience he chose to work alongside myself at Grizedale as a Wildlife Conservation Ranger. This area of work suited Adam down to the ground although he was not at his best early in the morning, by early I mean 3 a.m. This was the start of many happy times we spent together stalking deer around the area. Adam's enthusiasm and constant chatter made a memorable first stalk. Early one morning the sun was rising and the dawn chorus had begun. All was well and Adam and I were creeping slowly and quietly through the woods. Suddenly!!!! I spotted a deer but unfortunately Adam was so excited that he had to tell me he'd spotted it too! - rather loudly - with full arm movements. The deer took one look at us and scarpered! We returned for breakfast with Adam still chatting excitedly!!!

Adam left school with 10 GCSEs, which was a great accomplishment. We were very proud of him and his achievements, not just academically. He had started to blossom at John Ruskin and this continued at Windermere, St. Anne's. (Sixth Form)

Initially he was unsure about going to St. Anne's because he thought it would be full of girls!!!!! but he soon changed his mind. Before starting Adam had the customary interview with the head teacher - this usually takes about half an hour. One and a half hours later Adam had interviewed Miss Ellis and she was fully briefed about his love of the countryside and art. At least it wasn't just me he could chat to. Adam's ability to talk and to mix with anybody was one of his many qualities.On starting St. Anne's Adam's shirt tails were still hanging out but there was a new fashion accessory - the brightest and goriest tie. My favourite was definitely the sunshine yellow one. Again Adam was soon popular. He studied Art and Geography to A' level, he threw himself into school activities - clay pigeon shooting, football and drumming (achieving Grade 6). Talking of drumming, My Australian brother-in-law came to visit. Travelling back home a large red stag jumped down in front of the car opposite Adam's house. This resulted in a few choice words. Aussie Les had never seen anything like it. He soon calmed down and all was forgotten. Until. A couple of hours later Les ran inside and slammed the door.

I CAN HEAR DEER STAMPEDING
I thought WHAT'S HE ON ABOUT?
I WENT OUT
THERE WERE NO DEER STAMPEDING - JUST ADAM PLAYING HIS DRUMS!

He started driving lessons and now he had another new passion - cars. His favourite TV program being “TOP GEAR”. He had a part time job at the Skelwith Bridge Hotel, usually waiting on in the Talbot Bar. Again he made many friends and went out socially- there always seemed to be something to celebrate. When he passed his driving test there couldn't have been a happier lad. He saved up and bought his first car - which he proudly showed us. He loved driving to school with Victoria (his sister). At St. Anne's, close friendships were made and there was a lot of fun, as well as hard work. One time the boys went waterskiing on Windermere with the girls watching. Unfortunately Adam was the only one without a wetsuit and so was the only one who went blue and near hypothermic! Again he couldn't resist a challenge. Adam loved his time at St. Anne's and it certainly did him proud - leaving with 3 A' levels.

Last year was Adam's gap year - an exciting and busy year.He worked for Martin at a nearby farm, did forestry and squirrel work with me, lambing in Lancashire and some voluntary work for the National Trust. He also had a part time job gardening for Mr. Scowroft - where he struck up a very close friendship with Stuart. He looked forward to visiting Chris(his brother) and his mates in Preston. Adam often talked proudly of both, Chris and Victoria. Probably the highlight of his gap year was completing a basic chain saw course. He was keen and eager to demonstrate his newfound skills. So, one day, he asked to borrow from me various chainsaw equipment 'just for a little job.' he said. Not long after a rather sheepish but still smiling Adam told us that the felling hadn't quite gone to plan, the tree had fallen the wrong way - totally flattening his very expensive hen house. He asked if I thought he could claim on the insurance as an act of God and I said What do you think Adam?

After a very happy gap year in September Adam started at the University of Northumbria studying for a degree in Geography and Environmental Management. We kept in touch and Adam was very happy with his life. He went to see 'The Bees' his first ever-pop concert, had an ace field trip to Berwick Upon Tweed and was famous for his 9-layered sandwich! He even managed to get stuck in a lift not once, but twice. The last time I saw Adam he was full of university life and was looking forward to a 'jamming' session with his mates.

These are my memories of Adam and everyone will have their own.

Let's treasure them.

Thank you Adam for sharing your life with us.

Goodbye mate.