Hundreds of people are expected to line the streets of South Bristol this afternoon (Friday) as a funeral cortege brings one corner of the city to a standstill. Bristol City fans, friends and family of Stoney Garnett will gather at his beloved Ashton Gate ahead of his funeral today, Friday, September 2.
A horse-drawn carriage will lead the funeral cortege down Marina Dolman Way in front of Ashton Gate's main stand, leaving at 3pm, before heading onto Winterstoke Road, around Parson Street and up the A38 Bridgwater Road to the South Bristol Crematorium. The mile-and-a-half cortege is expected to take around half an hour and bring this part of South Bristol - from Ashton Gate to Bedminster and Bedminster Down - to a standstill.
The details of the funeral procession, service and wake were announced at half time of Wednesday night's match between Bristol City and Huddersfield Town, and it could be that as many as a thousand turn out to walk with the cortege and attend the service.
Read more: Bristol City CEO leads tributes to Stoney Garnett as fans share personal stories
Mr Garnett was one of South Bristol's most recognisable figures - a postman, comedian, compere, raconteur, teller of tall tales, joker and aspiring politician - he stood for city mayor twice in 2012 and 2016 - as well as being an avid Bristol City fan with his trademark red fedora with a feather.
The service at the South Bristol Cemetery and Crematorium will be a double time-slot, and there is expected to be standing room only outside, given the numbers attending. After the service, everyone will return to Ashton Gate, where the South Stand has been booked out for the wake, which will run into Friday evening.
A spokesperson for the Garnett family has said that people are welcome and encouraged to join the funeral cortege as it leaves Ashton Gate for the mile and a half journey up to the crematorium. They have also asked that, instead of flowers, people who want to should consider making a donation to the Royal British Legion in Stoney Garnett’s name.
“The family would also like to welcome all who knew Stoney to the service and then afterwards on to Ashton Gate, home of Bristol City Football Club, to celebrate the life and times of Stoney Garnett.
“To recognise Stoney’s absolute love and devotion to Bristol City, they have also asked for everyone to wear something red on the day. Seen as South Bristol aristocracy by some, he is a rare character that will be missed by many,” they added. “As Stoney would say: ‘The sky is blue but on this day it will be red’.”
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