Man Loses Dad’s Ashes on Epic 9-Hour Pub Crawl in Essex — Garbage Worker Saves the Day in Unlikely Twist
Southend-on-Sea, England – We’ve all had those nights where one casual drink turns into an all-out marathon, right?
But for Stan Blade, a 39-year-old musician and comedian from Essex, what started as a heartfelt tribute to his late father spiraled into a chaotic 9-hour pub crawl that nearly ended in disaster — losing his dad’s ashes along the way.
A Sentimental Plan Gone Awry
Stan Blade, an Essex-born spoken word artist, singer-songwriter, and comedian, is no stranger to storytelling.
He dropped his debut album “Stan Blade Is All Mouth” in April 2017, blending humor and heart in his performances.
This time, though, the story was personal. Blade set out to honor his father, Stephen Jewitt, who died in 2011 at age 50 after a tough illness.
The plan? Take Jewitt’s ashes, kept in a wooden box, on a “final tour” of their favorite haunts at Southend Pier for a TikTok video tribute.
Southend Pier, the world’s longest pleasure pier at 1.34 miles, is an Essex icon. Built in 1889, it attracts over a million visitors yearly with its arcades, railway, and seafront views.
For Blade, it was the perfect place to revisit memories of riding dodgems with his dad, a man he described as a “really funny bloke” with a contagious sense of humor.
A Pub Crawl Takes Over
Things took a turn when Blade bumped into old friends at Chinnerys, a lively music venue in Southend-on-Sea.
One drink became many, and what was meant to be a quick stop morphed into a 9-hour pub crawl.
As reported by South West News Service, Blade knocked back six cans of Stella Artois and five pints of lager, hopping from Chinnerys to The Cornucopia, a historic pub known for its real ales, and finally to a hotel bar on Marine Parade.
Let’s be real — we’ve all been there, or close to it. A casual catch-up spirals, and suddenly you’re three pubs deep, laughing louder than you should.
For Blade, though, the stakes were higher. The Tesco grocery bag holding his dad’s ashes was along for the ride, tucked under his arm as the night blurred on.
The Morning-After Panic
The buzz faded fast when Blade stumbled home and faced a grim realization: the grocery bag was gone.
His stepmother, Emma Hopkins, who’d safeguarded Jewitt’s ashes for 12 years, was livid.
“I’ve f–king had those ashes for 12 years,” she told him, as Blade recounted to media outlets. “I told you not to take them to the seafront. All you want to do is do things on TikTok.”
You can feel the weight of that moment — the mix of guilt, grief, and family tension. Hopkins’ frustration is relatable; those ashes were a tangible link to her late husband.
Blade’s TikTok obsession, meant to honor his dad, had backfired spectacularly. I can’t help but think this is where grief gets messy — good intentions tangled up in human error.
A TikTok Plea for Help
Desperate, Blade turned to the very platform his stepmom criticized.
He posted an emotional TikTok video, pleading for help to find the wooden box labeled “Stephen Jewitt 1961-2011.”
The video, posted on his @StansToks account, went viral, racking up views as locals and strangers alike joined the search.
It’s ironic, isn’t it? The app that sparked the trouble became his lifeline.
Social media’s role here is fascinating. In 2024, platforms like TikTok aren’t just for dances or pranks — they’re digital town squares.
Blade’s appeal tapped into that, turning a personal crisis into a community effort. I admire his quick thinking, even if it came from a place of sheer panic.
A Garbage Man’s Heroic Find
The story could’ve ended in heartbreak, but enter an unlikely hero: a garbage man whose name remains unknown.
Essex police called Blade with good news — the worker had found the wooden box on top of a trash can along the seafront, though the Tesco bag was gone.
Blade was reunited with his dad’s ashes, a moment captured in a photo where he’s seen smiling at Southend Pier, giving a thumbs-up next to the box.
Essex police noted how rare such recoveries are in a tourist hub like Southend-on-Sea, with its 7 miles of coastline and bustling seafront.
The garbage worker’s sharp eye saved the day, and honestly, it’s a reminder of the quiet heroism of everyday folks.
Bin men, cleaners — they’re the ones who keep our world turning, sometimes literally picking up our mistakes.
A Father’s Humor Lives On
Blade believes his dad would’ve loved the chaos. “My dad was a really funny bloke and he would have absolutely loved the idea of me riding a roller coaster with his ashes by my side,” he told Metro UK.
“I just wanted to do something to pay tribute to that, as I haven’t visited my hometown in a while.” That sentiment hits hard — a son wanting to keep his dad’s spirit alive through shared memories.
Jewitt’s sense of humor seems to run in the family. Blade, a comedian himself, has likely spun this tale into his performances, given his knack for finding humor in life’s highs and lows.
I can imagine him on stage, turning this misadventure into a laugh-out-loud story with a poignant twist.
Family Finds Forgiveness
Hopkins, initially furious, has softened. “My step-mum has calmed down now, and eventually I think she will see the funny side,” Blade said.
The family’s relief is palpable. “Me and my family are all very happy and grateful to get him back — and no more outings,” he added, vowing to keep the ashes safe at home.
Grief experts note that mishaps like this, while painful, can be part of processing loss. In the UK, where 78% of deaths lead to cremation, families often hold onto ashes for years.
Hopkins’ 12-year stewardship of Jewitt’s ashes made their loss especially gut-wrenching, but her forgiveness shows the resilience of family bonds.
A Tale of Essex and Excess
Blade’s pub crawl wasn’t just a personal blunder — it’s peak Essex. Southend’s seafront pubs, like The Cornucopia with its cozy vibe and estuary views, are steeped in local lore.
The UK’s pub culture, dating back centuries, thrives on nights like Blade’s, where camaraderie and pints fuel unforgettable stories.
Social media lit up with reactions. A 2023 tweet summarized the saga: “Stan Blade appeals to find his father’s ashes after downing six cans of Stella and five pints of lager when farewell trip to Southend Pier turned into a nine-hour pub crawl.”
Commenters shared their own tales of lost items, from wallets to heirlooms, making Blade’s story oddly universal.
A Modern Mourning Lesson
This tale is more than a funny anecdote — it’s a snapshot of how we grieve in 2024.
Blade’s TikTok tribute, his boozy detour, and the community’s response show how tradition and technology collide.
I think it’s a wake-up call about balancing sentiment with responsibility. Mixing grief with lager is risky, but Blade’s heart was in the right place.
For now, he’s back to his life as a dad, musician, and comedian, likely weaving this story into his @StansToks content.
And that garbage man? He’s the real MVP, proving that sometimes, the most ordinary people make the biggest difference.
