Parish News - Cotton Parish

IN MEMORY OF TERRY SPALDING
No one knew what a chore it was to edit the parish magazine until the new
editors took over from Terry Spalding. Terry had carried out the task,
apparently effortlessly, for 15 years. Terry did not believe in making a fuss,
but his contribution to village life was enormous.
Terry came from a Lowestoft fishing family and spent most of his career
teaching meteorology. He ended up as chief weather forecaster at
Heathrow Airport. When he and his wife Hazel retired to Bacton, as
planned, in 1996, he immediately engaged with village life. Terry played
an active role on the Parochial Church Council, Deanery Synod, Village
Hall Committee, Over 60s, the Local History Society and more recently
helped to set up the Bacton Good Neighbours Scheme. His devotion to
the parish magazine was such that he planned holidays to avoid clashing
with the deadlines. Without people like Terry, villages would have no
community life.
Terry’s death occurred at a time when he seemed to be recovering from
major spinal surgery. A great patriot, he had enjoyed watching the
Jubilee celebrations at the Paddock House nursing home in Eye, in the
company of his family. He died at Paddock House on June 6, aged 75.
Faith was an important part of Terry’s life and he attended both St. Mary’s
in Mendlesham and St. Mary’s in Bacton. Services were held for him in
both churches.
Continued from page 29.
In addition to the music played by the brass band, youngsters living in
Bacton who attend the middle school sang and played their music too.
The afternoon concluded with the National Anthem being played and the
Union Flag being lowered.
Cllr Philip Jeffries had the idea to celebrate the Jubilee and took the lead
in organising all the events, which Cllr Bernard Gant promoted within the
village.
The Parish Council would like to thank everyone who helped in any way to
make the two days such a tremendous success
.
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