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MOTT Eric Thomas John

Eric Mott 1929 - 2016

Eric Thomas John MOTT

Passed away peacefully on Boxing Day at Hunter’s Down Nursing Home in Huntingdon, aged 87,  27th January 2016.

After serving in the Royal Air Force, Eric returned to Fenstanton and became very committed to parish matters.  He worked for several years as the school caretaker.

A devoted member of the Parish Church congregation, he sat on the PCC.  

Eric also served on the Parish Council and his years of contribution to the parish were recognised with the naming of Eric Mott Way. He was a much respected member of Fenstanton village community and many will remember seeing him  driving around the village in his pony and trap.

Dearly missed by all family and friends. Funeral service to take place on Friday 29th January 2016 at 12.00 noon at The Church of St Peter & St Paul, Fenstanton, followed by cremation at Cambridge Crematorium, East Chapel at 1.00pm.

Flowers most welcome. For further details please contact Dennis Easton Funeral Service 01480 463019.

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PENDRED Michelle

Michelle PENDRED of Fenstanton. Passed away unexpectedly in Papworth Hospital on Thursday November 12th 2015, aged 60 years. Dearly loved partner of Geoff, and a dear friend to many.

Funeral Service at St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire on Wednesday December 2nd at 1.00 pm followed by interment.

Family flowers only please, donations if desired for Wood Green Animal Shelter or The Dog’s Trust may be sent c/o F W Cook Funeral Service, 49 Church Street, Willingham, Cambs, CB24 5HS.

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THE LOCKED PEW – HILTON

To many in 20th century secular England, it may seem unbelievable that there was a time when people bought seats in church for their exclusive use. All may be equal in the sight of God, but in a village hierarchy the high and the humble did not mix. For those aspiring to the gentry, a private pew in church gave social status.

There is no detailed description of whatever private pews there had been in Hilton Church but any could have been quite solid affairs, allowing that occupant to have a small charcoal burner for warmth in the winter and sufficiently private for a quiet sleep through an over long sermon.

It was in 1736 that William Sparrow, nephew of William who had cut the Maze seventy six years earlier, convinced the Bishop of Lincoln that he was “a man of substance and fortune” and was so granted a licence to to build a pew at the western end of the north aisle of Hilton Church for the exclusive use of the Sparrow family which would of course include his daughter who married Joseph Sutton.

Was there a family argument that after Miss Sparrow became Mrs Sutton she and her children no longer had access to the pew?

In those days of large families, one pew would not accommodate two or maybe more families. Be that as it may, Joseph Sutton put a lock on the Sparrow pew to exclude his brother -in-law, Joseph Sparrow. Joseph Sparrow appealed to the Archdeaconry Court in Huntingdon to arbitrate. The ruling was that the pew belonged to the bishop “so that everything had to be done decently”. There the record ends. One interpretation could be that the parties were sent away to settle things peaceably among themselves.

In the latter part of the 19th century, these high box pews were removed and the Victorians installed simpler pews of deal. These were removed in the 20th century and oak pews were from Wyton church were installed.
(Compiled for SPECTRUM by Jack Dady  Feb 1991    Chapter 72)

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ALLEN Mary

Mary ALLEN Passed away at home on 15th October 2015, aged 60 years. Beloved wife of Paul, she will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.

The Funeral Service will take place at Fenstanton United Reformed Church, on Friday 6th November 2015 at 1.00 pm followed by burial in St Ives.

Family flowers only please, but donations, if desired for Cancer Research may be left at the service. For further details please contact Dennis Easton Funeral Service on 01480 463019.

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REES Gwilym

Gwilym REES “Taffy” of Fenstanton. Passed away on Monday June 22nd 2015 aged 85 years.

Loving husband of Pearl and father of David.

Funeral service at Cambridge City Crematorium, West Chapel, on Thursday July 2nd at 3.00pm

Family flowers only please, donations if desired made payable to Alzheimers Research UK c/o Easton & Cook Independent Funeral Service, 2b Harding Way, St. Ives PE27 3WR.

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THATCHER John Warwick

John Warwick THATCHER Aged 65 years of Fenstanton. Sadly passed away on 14th June 2015 at home after losing his battle with cancer, survived by his loving wife Lesley and much loved step-children Sarah and Andrew.

His service will be at 1.00 p.m. on Thursday 25th June at Barton Glebe Arbory Trust.

No flowers please, but donations at John’s request to Born Free Foundation may be sent c/o Dennis Easton Funeral Service, The Lodge, 1 Broad Leas, St. Ives. PE27 5PU. Tel 01480 463019.

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BARNETT William John “Bill”

WILLIAM JOHN BARNETT “BILL”      1921-2015

WILLIAM JOHN BARNETT “BILL” of Fenstanton 1921-2015

Mr William John Barnett, Fenstanton’s well known horse and general dealer, died peacefully at Hinchingbrooke Hospital on Saturday 11th April surrounded by his family and friends. Mr Barnett was known all over the country and more particularly in neighbouring towns where he was always to be seen at weekly cattle markets. Buying and selling horses, cattle and poultry.

When war began, Mr Barnett was first to leave Fenstanton and the last to return. He was in the Royal Buffs and Royal Fusiliers and spent his time in Italy and Egypt. When he returned he followed in his fathers footsteps and became a general dealer.

Although he was a general dealer, and loved all animals, horses were his favourites, from the days he toured the countryside with a pony and cart. Mr Barnett was a witty character and could tell many a tale of his exploits over the years, always enjoying a joke, but at the same time was a much respected man who observed the old-fashioned code of ethics on business all his life.

Although he loved horses, he was never a betting man; if asked what horse he fancied in a race he would reply, “hold fast, hold fast to your money, its a dead cert” He would add with a twinkle in his eye that the only horses he backed went into his red lorry.

Funeral to be held at Fenstanton United Reformed Church on Friday 24th April at 3pm followed by burial at Fenstanton cemetery.
Donations to the Gurkha Welfare Trust and Fenstanton United Reformed Church, flowers welcome.

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GORMAN Cicely Ann

Cicely Ann GORMAN (Cis) Passed away peacefully at Ford House, Eaton Ford on 25th March 2015 aged 98 years after a short illness.

Wife of the late Dennis, mother of Sandra and Ivor, mother-in-law of Steve and Mandy, grandmother of Jason, Paul, Clare and great-grandmother of Noah.

Funeral Service to be held at St. Peter & St Paul Church, Fenstanton on Monday 13 th April at 2 p.m. All are welcome.

Family flowers only, but donations, if desired, to “The Alzheimer’s Research Society” c/o Dennis Easton Funeral Services, The Lodge, 1 Broad Leas, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 5PU. Tel 01480 463019.