Archived News - Liz Farr
A touch of TLC for a good cause
If you could do with some TLC and a spot of alternative therapy, Toddington Village Hall is the place to be on Sunday, November 11.
Gentle Touch Healing is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a free Healathon featuring 'tasters' of body and soul nourishing treatments such as aroma and emotional therapy, Indian head massage, kinesiology, metaphysical counselling and reflexology, as well as Bach and herb remedies.
Founder Ray Wilson said 10 healers and five therapists would be in attendance at the event which is open from 10am to 4pm.
Although there is no entry fee and no charge for any of the tasters, donations will be welcome. These will be split between the Healing Centre Building Fund and Macmillan Cancer Support. Tea and coffee, cakes and biscuits will be available for a 50p donation.
Ray, who eased Eaton Bray cancer victim Liz Farr's final months, is working towards establishing a £10 million pyramid-shape holistic healing centre in Bedfordshire. It will be ecological, carbon-neutral and planet-friendly.
He hopes to fund the building with donations and to run it through renting rooms to medical practitioners, complementary therapists and counsellors in addition to selling ranges of healing and health-related products.
The Healing Centre operates on Tuesday evenings at Flitwick's Rufus Centre.
For more information, call 01582 663900 or you can visit www.gentletouch.co.uk.
Liz, who lived in Woodside, hit the headlines when her film-maker son Rob made a documentary of her illness, Making a Song and Dance About Cancer.
She also wrote and recorded the Thank You Song, with all proceeds going to Gentle Touch Healing. After her death, her widower Clive Bevins gave the charity a cheque for £2,000 towards the centre's building fund.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 1 November 2007
Ray of hope in memory of Liz
Even after her death, brave Eaton Bray cancer victim Liz Farr is still making a difference.
Clive Bevins, the man she married three days before she lost her fight for life, has given a cheque for more than £2,000 to Dunstable charity Gentle Touch Healing.
Its founder Ray Wilson, who helped ease the pain during her final months, said Liz's legacy would go towards building a £10 million pyramid-shape holistic healing centre in Bedfordshire.
Planning Ahead: Clive Bevins, right, and Ray Wilson with blueprints for a holistic healing centre in Bedfordshire.
Ray, who doesn't believe in charging for his services, said the idea came to him 10 years ago and he has been working towards making it a reality ever since.
He said: "It's important that the healing centre is part of the community, offering a wide range of healing and health-related services."
Doctors, nurses, complementary therapists and counsellors would be invited to work together as a team towards a holistic approach to health care.
According to Ray the centre will be ecological, carbon-neutral and planet-friendly.
He said: "Jon Allen, who designed it, has a great deal of experience in using shapes and natural materials that are good for energy.
"He was one of the architects who designed a hospital in India for the spiritual teacher and healer Sai Baba. He also worked for many years as a design manager for The Prince's Foundation, an architectural school and trust founded by the Prince of Wales."
Ray hopes the funding for his dream will come from donations and that the centre will be financially sustainable through renting out rooms and selling ranges of healing and health-related products. And he believes it will happen when the time is right.
"I don't want to build an empire, just help people," he explained. "Quite often healers are the last hope for those suffering from terminal illnesses.
We don't promise a cure but we can give them a better quality of life."
Clive, a retired insurance company manager, said Ray was a great source of comfort and strength to Liz, who lived in Woodside. She hit the headlines when her film-maker son Rob made a documentary of her illness, Making A Song And Dance About Cancer. She also wrote and recorded the Thank You Song, with all proceeds going to Gentle Touch.
Clive said: "Altogether, she has given more than £4,000 to the charity."
He added: "On the anniversary of her death earlier this month, 14 of her friends joined me in a walk from The White Horse in Eaton Bray to put flowers on her grave at the church in Edlesborough. Then we went back to the pub for a roast lunch. We had lots of laughs and it was just the sort of occasion she would have organised and enjoyed."
For more information about Gentle Touch Healing call 01582 663900 or visit the www.gentletouch.co.uk website.
Source: Bev Creagh, Dunstable Gazette, 25 July 2007
Why posh frocks attracted lots of interest - and cash
Dunstable's Liz Farr, who hit the headlines with her brave but ultimately unsuccessful batter with cancer, continues to raise money from beyond the grave for the hospice that was such a help during her final weeks.
A recent sale of her clothes raised more than £700 for the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home.
Liz's husband, Clive Bevins - who she married three days before she died - said "That girl lover her posh frocks and so did the punters. Thanks to the Herald&Post we raised £768 for the hospice who looked after her so well."
Liz's son Rob, who made a moving documentary about his mother called Making a Song and Dance About Cancer, is now in South America filming his adventures from Buenos Aires to Caracas. In an emotional email to Clive, he said he'd celebrated his first birthday on his own with a meal.
"I booked a table on the terrace of a muerte sophisticato - dead fancy - restaurant but started feeling pretty angry. Not sure if it was because it was the first without mum, it's difficult to pinpoint.
"Eventually shook it off and all of a sudden it was 5am and the sun was up."
The talented young film maker is learning Spanish and attempting to blend in by buying locally made clothes "so I don't look so much of a gringo."
He expects to be back in Britain in May.
Source: Herald & Post, 21 December 2006
Liz's still fundraising... from beyond the grave
Even after her death, Dunstable's brave cancer victim Liz Farr is still making a difference.
An auction of her 'posh frocks' on Saturday will raise money for the Iain Rennie Hospice in Tring.
Liz's devoted husband Clive Bevins - whom she married three days before she died - is organising the event.
He said: "It is now more than four months since I lost my Liz and I am still so grateful to the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home team who nursed her through her last weeks.
"She was surrounded by family and friends and the centre of attention to her last breath."
Donations at her funeral amounted to £320 but now Clive, 64, would like to do even more to help the hospice.
He said: "Liz was a lady who lover to shop.
"Her family have selected what they wanted from her five double wardobes but there is still lots of good quality stuff, including a dozen 'posh frocks', winter coats, suits, jackets and blouses as well as scarves, handbags, shoes and costume jewellery.
"There will be a guide price which you're welcome to exceed.
"And anything not sold by 5pm will go under the hammer of well-known auctioneer Mike O'Sullivan."
Liz's courageous battle with cancer was really well documented.
Shortly before she died she starred in Making a Song and Dance about Cancer, a film about her inspirational and uplifting journey.
Clive asked her to marry him on stage at the premiere in Berkhamsted.
Prior to that the 55-year-old Eaton Bray mum wrote and recorded The Thank You Song as a tribute to the family and friends who had supported her during her long ordeal.
Source: Herald & Post, 21 November 2006
'Thank You' CD plays on
Liz Farr may have lost her brave battle with cancer but the Eaton Bray mum's music lives on.
Her Thank You Song, recorded as a tribute to all the friends and family who'd supported her during her long illness, is still available.
All you have to do is log on to www.thankyousong.co.uk for an order form. The CD costs £6.95 (plus p&p) and all proceeds go to Gentle Touch Healing.
Source: Herald & Post, 27 July 2006
Opera star's last tribute to brave Liz
The glorious voice of international opera singer Gwen Jeffers filled St Giles Church in Totternhoe at the funeral of Liz Farr (pictured).
The celebration and thanksgiving of last week followed her death on July 8 after a brave battle against cancer that lasted 17 years.
Her husband Clive Bevins, whom she married at an emotional bedside ceremony only three days before she died, wanted it to be a happy occasion.
He said afterwards: "We gave her a good send-off.
"I was so proud of her son, Rob, who decorated the church and the churchyard with blue and yellow banners that echoed the colours in the stained glass windows."
Clive had the packed congregation laughing at his anecdotes about life with Liz.
He also read a poem she'd written for Rob, entitled My Son. She'd intended to set it to music - like her Thank You Song which was played during the service, conducted by the Rev Janet Spicer - but had run out of time.
Liz, who lost two husbands to cancer before being diagnosed herself, attended the premiers last month of Making a Song and Dance About Cancer, a moving tribute to her inspirational life made by her son Rob.
She and Clive had been together for four years.
Clive said later: "I always knew this was where our train would terminate. I just hoped we'd have a few more stops."
Source: Bev Creagh, Dunstable Gazette, 26 July 2006
Funeral set for bride who died 3 days after wedding
The funeral of Liz Farr, who died on Saturday, will take place at St Giles Parish Church, Church Road, Totternhoe, on Tuesday July 18 at 2.30pm. This will be followed by a family burial at the Church of St Mary, Edlesborough, at 3.30pm.
The Eaton Bray mum, who lost her brave battle with cancer only three days after marrying her partner Clive Bevins, asked for her Thank You Song to be played at the service. She wrote and recorded it just before Christmas as a tribute to the family and friends who'd supported her during her long ordeal and sang it to a congregation of more than 1,000 at a St Albans church in December. Liz, 55, lost two husbands to the disease before being diagnosed with breast cancer 17 years ago.
Her film maker son Rob made a documentary about her inspirational and uplifting journey. Called Making a Song and Dance About Cancer, it premiered at Berkamsted last month.
After the performance, former insurance company manager Clive got down on one knee and proposed. Liz, looking frail but radiant, said: "Clive is my guardian angel. I've never met such a kind and loving person."
He was equally devoted to her. He tells our sister paper, the Dunstabl Gazette, this week: "She was such a bonus in my life, in spite of the cancer.
"It really was the happiest time. I remember lying in bed not wanting to go to sleep, not wanting to waste a precious minute with her."
The family would like as many friends as possible to come to the funeral. But they've asked those attending to put aside mourning black and dress in bright colours to celebrate Liz's life.
They have also requested family flowers only - donations to Iain Rennie Hospice at Home, 52a Western Road, Tring, Herts HP23 4BB.
Source: Herald & Post, 13 July 2006
Farewell, my lovely Liz
Eaton Bray mum Liz Farr has lost her brave battle with cancer - only three days after marrying fiance Clive Bevins at an emotionally charged ceremony.
Clive, a former insurance company manager, proposed last month after the premiere of Making A Song And Dance About Cancer, documenting her positive attitude to the disease that had already robbed her of two husbands before she herself was diagnosed 17 years ago.
Liz, 55, became ill two days after embarking on a pre-honeymoon Mediterranean cruise.
Her film-maker son Rob flew out to Lisbon to join them when her health deteriorated.
Clive, 64, said: 'Our cabin was like a luxury prison. I knew she didn't have long and we came home from Southampton by private ambulance.'
With Liz failing fast, Clive arranged a special marriage licence.
He said: 'There was the most amazing atmosphere, joy and happiness mingled with sadness.
'The registrar sat on the bed at our home and there were about 25 family members and friends gathered round.
'Liz became my wife at 11.10am last Wednesday. But she was too weak to say 'I do,' so she just squeezed my hand.'
The pair, of Woodside, Eaton Bray, met four years ago when they went on a skiing trip.
Clive recalled: 'We decided we'd better get to know each other because we were the two novices.
'I was 60, separated from my wife, and perfectly happy with my single life playing bowls, playing snooker.
'But that first day sealed the rest of our relationship - we met to buy skiing equipment, went shopping, had lunch, went to the cinema and ended up spending 11 hours together.
'By the end of the week we were in love.
'I'd been 'Lizzed.'
'She was such a bonus in my life, in spite of the cancer.
'It really was the happiest time.
'I remember lying in bed not wanting to go to sleep, not wanting to waste a precious minute with her.
'She was very sociable and loved having people around her. She had crowds of friends.
'Even this New Year with just eight of us, we played silly games and the evening was such fun.
'And I remember coming home after one hospital appointment, when the news hadn't been very good.
'I went into the kitchen to make tea and there were gales of laughter coming from the lounge.
'I said: 'We must have these cancer parties more often.'
'She loved being the centre of attention, and she was, right to the end.
'I was holding her hand and she was surrounded by her family.
'Her breathing became very laboured and we were all there with her, to her last breath.'
Liz was equally devoted to Clive.
She told the Gazette: 'He's my guardian angel.
'I've never met such a kind and loving person and there's nothing he wouldn't do for me.'
Now Clive intends burying his bride in the dress she wore to the premiere in June.
He said she loved posh frocks and nice jewellery and he's determined she's going to look stunning one last time, just as she would have wished.
Liz's story was inspirational and uplifting.
At Christmas she recorded a CD of a song she wrote and set to music as a tribute to the family and friends who supported her through her long ordeal.
She sang her Thank You Song to a congregation of more than 1,000 at a St Albans church in December and stipulated she wanted it played at her funeral, with all proceeds going to Dunstable-based charity Gentle Touch Healing.
Gentle Touch founder Ray Wilson described Liz as a brave and courageous person who brought joy to many with her buoyant and infectious personality.
Clive said he's shed many tears since she's died, although it was a relief to see her suffering end.
'I told her every day I loved her and adored her and that she was my best friend. And that will never change,' he added.
Liz's son Rob has appealed to everyone attending to wear bright colours to celebrate his mother's life - no black, please.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 12 July 2006
Liz will you marry me?
There wasn't a dry eye in the house when Eaton Bray's Clive Bevins dropped down on one knee after the premiere of Making A Song And Dance About Cancer - documenting his partner Liz Farr's brave battle with the disease - and asked her to marry him.
"I was totally, totally unprepared," a stunned Liz, 55, said later. "But it was wonderful, at this stage in my life, for such wonderful things to be happening and still to be having such wonderful surprises.
"Clive is my guardian angel. I've never met such a kind and loving person and there's nothing he wouldn't do for me.
"The whole day was magic and the message I want to get across is that if you've got a life-limiting illness, you don't have to give up. You can still have a fantastic time and enjoy every minute you have left."
Clive, 64, said the only person who knew of his romantic intentions before the Rex Cinema screening in Berkhamsted on Friday was Liz's son, Rob, who made the film about his mother's uplifting and inspiring journey.
"I didn't want the premiere to be an anticlimax for Liz," Clive said. "I wanted her to have something else to look forward to, another reason to look ahead."
The happy couple, who met four years ago on a skiing trip, are hoping to have the honeymoon cruise of a lifetime to celebrate their impending nuptials.
Liz, looking frail but radiant, sang her Thank You Song - recorded as a tribute to the family and friends who've supported her - after the credits had rolled on the documentary.
The plucky mum, from Woodside, Eaton Bray, has not only lost two husbands to cancer, but was also diagnosed with breast cancer herself 17 years ago. It has now spread to her spine and liver.
Former insurance company manager Clive said they were so lucky to have got together when they did.
"She's my best friend, the loveliest lady I've ever met," he said. "I do a lot for her but I know if our situations were reversed, she'd do exactly the same for me."
And Liz is equally complimentary about Clive.
"He's the perfect partner," she said. "All my family and friends want to be around him, because he brings something special to our relationship and makes us feel complete. We enjoy being together, even if we're only watching TV." Liz also appreciates the fact he doesn't wallow in her disease.
"He pushes my illness to one side and says: 'Right, you've got this so we'll do that'," said Liz. "If I'm feeling fine, we do things. And if I'm having a bad day, we don't."
Liz was immensely moved by the documentary, which was put together over the past year.
"When it started I had tears in my eyes," she said. "It was so emotional. But as it progressed, I got more used to it.
"It's very powerful. It charts the ups and downs, what it's like to live with this condition. My son and I had some very honest conversations and I think he's done an absolutely fantastic job, bless him."
Rob is hoping to enter the film in various international festivals. And he's hoping a final version - including the romantic ending - will make it on to television.
The premiere raised more than £1,000 for Dunstable-based charity Gentle Touch Healing, whose hands-on approach has helped and strengthened Liz as she comes to terms with what lies ahead.
For more details about Liz's life and to order the Thank You Song CD, visit the www.thankyousong.co.uk website.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 14 June 2006
Film and song sum up Liz's brave battle against cancer
A brave mum who has fought cancer for 17 years will attend the premiere of a film about her battle next month.
Liz Farr, 55, of Woodside, Eaton Bray has already recorded a CD of a song she wrote and set to music as a tribute to the family and friends who have supported her through her ordeal.
She lost two husbands to cancer, before being diagnosed with the disease herself. It was discovered in her breast and has now spread to her spine and liver.
Liz sang her Thank You Song to a church congregation of more than 1,000 at St Albans in December. All proceeds from the CD are going to charity and she wants it player at her funeral.
"It sums up how I'd like to be remembered - as someone who always managed to smile and be positive, no matter what, she said."
But in the meanwhile she's too busy living to think about dying. She and her partner Clive are doing all in their power to fight the disease together. They've adopted a new lifestyle and a strict cancer-friendly diet to accompany and complement her conventional medical treatment.
Now her son Rob, a film graduate, has made a documentary about her positive and holistic approach to her illness. He wants to share it with others so they can be uplifted and inspired by his mother's journey.
Making A Song And Dance About Cancer will be shown at the beautiful art deco Rex Cinema in Berkhamsted. Tickets are free but all donations will go to the Dunstable-based charity Gentle Touch Healing, whose hands-on treatment has helped and strengthened Liz as she comes to tems with what lies ahead.
She said: "I known I'm dying of cancer, but I'm going to spend whatever time I have left helping others cope with it."
Gentle Touch founder Ray Wilson said: "Liz is a very brave and couragous person who brings joy to many with her buoyant and infectious personality."
Making A Song And Dance About Cancer will be shown on Friday, June 9 at the Rex Cinema, High Street, Berkhamsted. Tel: 01442 877 759.
Visit Liz Farr's website www.thankyousong.co.uk to order the CD and for more details about her life.
Source: Bev Creagh, Leighton Buzzard Observer, 16 May 2006