WELL WISHERS gathered to say one final goodbye to George Bicknell, Solihull’s ‘trolley man’.
George, a well known figure in the town for decades, passed away on December 31 from Covid complications, provoking a huge public response from the people of Solihull.
A funeral mass was held at St Augustine’s Church in Solihull town centre, in memory of the 82-year-old who was often seen across the borough on his routes along Blossomfield Road into Shirley and or to Acocks Green or enjoying the sunshine.
George, christened Sydney Haines, was the youngest of seven and was born shortly before the start of the Second World War.
His dad, George, died shortly after he was born and his mum worked as a hospital nurse.
The family lived in Longmore Road, Shirley, before moving to Edgbaston, then Small Heath and finally, close to the Radleys, Sheldon.
A touching tribute was paid to George at the service.
It said: “How lovely to see such a wonderful turn out for George this morning, he would have been absolutely blown away.
“I have said many times to people over the last few months I think George had the biggest following in all of England and yes he was modest and would have never believed it for one moment.
“George was a great lover of nature for many people would have seen him out on the high street sunbathing on the paving slabs with the sun on his face, he love nothing more.
“He loved the birds and would go and feed them.
“He loved St Alphege Church yard as well, he got a great sense of peace there.
“He loved gardens, he loved open open spaces.
“It very much gave him a sense of being at one with himself.”
If anyone would like to give donations in George’s memory, the following charities are recommended and supported George during his lifetime:
• Age UK, Solihull click here.
• Solihull Churches Action on Homelessness click here.
• CAF donations click here.
• SVP Society, St Augustine’s – donations can be posted to the presbytery, St Augustine’s RC Church, Herbert Road B91 3QE.
