At the end April, Lachlan Ashwell Grant or Goldie' as he was affectionately known, passed away at the ripe old age of 80. To call him a legend in these parts would be no exaggeration. He not only captained the South Cantebury side that won the Ranfurly Shield in 1950 but scored the winning try, beating Wairarappa Bush in the final. An All Black in the late 40s, he was a farmer from Timuka and a much loved a highly respected figure.

In a service held in St Mary's Anglican Church, in Geraldine, thirty minutes north of Timaru, Goldie was laid to rest and the following passage probably summed the man up perfectly.

When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want no rites in the gloom filled room Why cry for a soul set free ?

Miss me a little but not too long And not with your head bowed low Remember the fun and the love we shared Miss me but let me go.

For this is a journey we must all take And each must go alone It's all part of the Master's plan A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sad at heart Go to friends you know And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds. Miss me but let me go.