Norman Dell Memorial Bench

Our wonderful Dad; Norman Dell a local Felbridge resident for over 47 years, stumbled and had a serious fall backwards hitting his head, just outside the Felbridge Village Hall in the late afternoon of Thursday 24th June 2021, whilst out walking his beloved dog Hector. Five youths from Imberhorne School, came rushing over to help, with one of them Tom cradling my dads head in his hands until the ambulance arrived, which had kindly been called by people using the village hall at the time. Little did we know when we arrived in A & E, that it would be the last evening we would ever see him conscious. Dad suffered what was determined a non-survivable bleed of the brain, that would over the next 4+ days take our beloved Dads life. There can be no adequate words to describe our loss, we will be forever heartbroken.

We would dearly love to put a rustic green oak bench, in the grounds of the village hall, where dad so loved walking around several times, most days with his beloved dog, in the hope that locals can sit & spend perhaps a moment or two reflecting.

We hope the following info will give you a little insight of Dads time in Felbridge.

Our Dad bought us to Felbridge after his and our mothers marriage ended in 1974 & he raised us on his own, something that was very rare in those days. As was described after his death by the local Stay & Play playgroup, Dad & his dog were a familiar, friendly face of Felbridge over the years. After he left his managerial role in London to look after and raise us, he took on the role of caretaker & booking secretary at the Felbridge village hall for 17 years. Dad then went on to be a support worker at a nearby hostel before retiring. Sadly, Dad had his first heart attack when he was only 53 & then went on to have a second, followed by a double heart by-pass at 59. However, Dad got back up and reached out once again, taking on many volunteering roles within the local community and surrounding areas including Zopha playgroup, Heatherley Cheshire home, helping the WI, Age Concern delivering meals and wheels & also as a transport escort, he was the local transport councillor for a few years, he also took local residents shopping, and sang opera for local charities and much, much more. He was also a great classical guitar player, artist and poet.

Dad would save worms from drying out in the sun, to catching flies in a beaker and putting them outside. He regularly picked up glass and rubbish and would kick sticks & stones out of the way, so they wouldn’t trip someone up or flip up and hurt someone as a car passed!

Dad was a great man of faith, who attended the local church St. John’s. He was a unique character, who was never happier than when he was helping or entertaining others, going out with him was always an experience as everyone would know him and we’d have to stop and chat on route!

Many have said they would like to contribute to the memorial bench in Dads memory & we are so grateful for your support to help us achieve this. We now have planning permission & have chosen a unique, rustic style, green oak bench that Dad would have loved as it is environmentally friendly.

Dad leaves behind four children three daughters and a son; Jacqueline, Lorraine, Michael & Jennifer, and eighteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren, he is loved and missed beyond measure.

As a family, we would like to thank you all, the local residents and every person who knew and cared for dad and also for your loving and very special messages of condolence and your kind support, when Dad passed. Knowing how much he also meant to you, has truly meant the world to us. Bless you all.