We used to know David well through his connections with the Methodist Church in Hethersett. Haven't seen him for quite some time though.
David and his wife Lorna along with my other four-fifths were at the forefront of what was termed Operation New Look which changed the Methodist Church from a very old antiquated building into a very modern one.
Out went the pulpit and the pews and in came a bright new building with new organ, chairs and a modern front. In fact the church changed set-up direction as well.
Looking back it seems amazing what was achieved and I dread to think how much the changes would cost today.
A couple of weeks ago I came across a written history of the church and I believe part of this is on Hethersett's Wikipedia page if any one is interested.
I remember lots of fundraisers, some of which I helped to organise. David and Lorna lived at Whitetails Farm which is on the back road between Great Melton and Wymondham. I remember summer fetes where we had five a side football competitions which were refereed by Norwich City players like Mick McGuire and John Deehan whom I asked along through my contacts at the club at the time.
There were Christmas Fairs and ceilidhs (pronounced caleys) and I remember one of these in a barn where we all sat on straw bales when not dancing. I'm sure food and drink was involved. One dance was designed so that couples sat out at various points. It was a deliberate set up so that we were the last couple standing or dancing. It was a set up due to the fact that it was our wedding anniversary.
I have a photograph of the other four fifths putting baubles on a Christmas tree in the church. It appeared in the local newspaper and was probably taken around the time of Operation New Look.
Lorna Richardson died a number of years ago. I remember at her funeral the family paid tribute in a rather unusual way. They highlighted her life by going through the alphabet, assigning a skill or ability or facet of her character to each letter in turn. I can't remember what they did for x or z. Perhaps they didn't do the entire alphabet.
It's a long time since we visited Whiterails. David Richardson no longer lives there although it may still be in the family. I have fond memories of the place and our younger days.
The book details David Richardson's travels as a farmer and journalist to different parts of the world and I'm looking forward to reading it. Norfolk people may remember David for his time presenting Farming Diary on television. We also remember his father Bob who was a leading light in Methodism in Hethersett and also the annual Hethersett Pantomime which I will write about tomorrow. Bob had a booming singing voice and was also an author, writing the book Some Fell on Stoney Ground which documented his upbringing in Norfolk and his days farming.
When his first wife died Bob remarried to local Methodist preacher Brenda. When Bob died Brenda remarried and became Brenda Kelsey. She died just before Christmas and we will be attending a memorial service in Hethersett Methodist Church in a few days time. Perhaps we will see David Richardson there.