HETHERSETT WEB

If you wish to remember loved ones with connections to the village please send details by clicking here. This is a free service. This page will also be used to remember some of the characters who have helped to make the village what it is today.

TONY CURSON 1928-1999

Tony Curson was one of the best known residents of the village and totally immersed himself in school and village life. He was fully involved in parish church activities for about 50 years. He was a church warden for many years and treasurer and chairman of numerous church committees.

He was also a long standing parish councillor and vice-chairman at the time of his death.

Over the years he helped backstage with the annual village pantomime and was also involved with the Memorial Playing Field Committee, the parochial charity. He was a former chairman of the Middle School governing body and vice-chairman of Hethersett Choral Society.

Tony held just about every position within Hethersett Cricket Club having notched up over 22,000 runs, taken over 2,500 wickets and held nearly 700 catches.

He died whilst mowing the cricket square on May 10th, 1999

Fred Tuck 1910-2007

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Fred Tuck was held at Hethersett Methodist Church.

Fred, who was an active Methodist and keen supporter of TOC H, died on April 7^th at the age of 96 after what was described as a "life of service."

The service was led by Hethersett Methodist Minister the Rev Derek Grimshaw.

Fred was born in September 1910 and came to Norfolk with his family at the age of two, firstly to North Elmham and subsequently to Dereham. After leaving school he was employed in the accounts department of Hobbies and continued to live in Dereham when his parents moved to Wymondham.

It was at Dereham that Fred became interested in the work of the local branch of TOC H – an organisation founded to provide respite care for servicemen during the First World War.

“Fred always engendered the aims of TOCH which were fellowship, service, fair mindedness and a celebration of the kingdom of God. I have heard some lovely things said about a wonderful man. Fred was a man who loved and was loved dearly,” Rev Grimshaw said.

Fred became secretary of the local branch of TOC H and in 1936 travelled to Great Yarmouth to hear the Rev Tubby Clayton speak about leper colonies in Nigeria.

Fred’s nephew Richard Flower spoke of this meeting being a “defining moment in Fred’s life.”

“Three weeks later he decided to work amongst the lepers and sailed from Liverpool to West Africa. He later said that going to Nigeria was the best thing he ever did,” Mr Flower said.

Whilst in Nigeria Fred met and married his wife Edna and they were married for 54 years before Edna’s death in 1995.

Fred and Edna returned to the United Kingdom in 1958 and Fred worked for eight years for the Methodist Church in London and then for seven years at the Queen Victoria Seamen’s Rest. He later worked for the justice department on the Isle of Wight before moving back to Norfolk to live in Hethersett in 1975.

He became closely involved with the village Methodist Church and was also a founder member of Wymondham Probus Club. Fred was also a keen supporter of Norwich City Football Club and loved music, poetry and literature.

“He had a mischevious sense of humour, but was a true gentleman,” Mr Flower added. The memorial service was preceded by cremation at St Faiths. The readings and hymns featured at both the crematorium and Hethersett were chosen by Fred himself.

Judith Evans - Died August 2007

Judith was born in the Potteries into a musical and loving family. She was a hard working and popular girl. She progressed well with her piano studies which led her to studying at the Royal Northern College of Music. She loved the fun of student life and enjoyed walking holidays and social events.

After Judith married she taught in schools across the country, and also gave private tuition. She had the skill and enthusiasm to greatly inspire those around her into sharing her passion for music. Despite her very small hands she could produce powerful yet expressive, and sensitive music and the high standards she set continued throughout her life. If you wanted to know where Judith was, you could just follow the trail of happy Ladies choirs she set up across the country, the first being in Lymm. When the family moved to Nottingham, Judith also became a keen member of the local theatrical scene.

In 1968 the family moved to Hethersett where Judith taught at the primary school and later became Head of Music at Old Hall School. She has been described by a colleague as “a fantastic teacher who will be remembered for her enthusiasm and good nature by many of the girls she taught, as well as the staff”. Judith also had many years of success directing the Hethersett WI Choir and Music Society.

Judith was always a caring, loving mother and friend, having a special relationship with her children, Gareth and Sian and grandchildren, Leo and Simmi. She was always very proud of her family.

There were many joys and accomplishments in Judith’s life, but also some deep sorrows, and struggles. Three years ago it was necessary for Judith to receive 24 hour care and she moved to Ingham Old Hall, along with her much loved golden retriever Tess, Merlin the cat and her precious grand piano which she played for Hymn singing each Sunday. She was much loved by residents and staff. Her last weekend which was spent in Germany, was a very happy one, surrounded by her loved ones - Gareth and Sian, Leo and Simmi and her new daughter-in-law. She died peacefully on 21st August.

Judith was a lady of great charm who will long be remembered for her passionate love of family, her enthusiasm for and knowledge of music and her lovely and at times cheeky sense of humour.