From Martin Clough, Tower Secretary of Silverton <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are sad to announce the death of Derek at his home in Cullompton on Friday 5th<\/sup>\u00a0March.\u00a0 Derek, who was in his mid-eighties, had been a keen ringer (preferring Call Changes) for many years.\u00a0 Before joining the Silverton band, he had been Tower Captain at Bickleigh for many years and frequently rang at other towers including Pinhoe and Thorverton.\u00a0Derek enjoyed his ringing and would be the first to volunteer if needed for extra duties, weddings and special occasions. \u00a0\u00a0It was not uncommon, before coronavirus restrictions, for Derek to ring at three towers on a Sunday morning (after having listened to the ringing on the radio at 06:00!).\u00a0Derek was a likeable \u201cone of a kind\u201d character who will be greatly missed in the tower and branch activities.\u00a0 He would often regale anyone willing to listen to anecdotes relating his previous working life as an agricultural contractor (as a result he knew the Mid Devon farming community well) and his views on keeping fit and healthy.\u00a0 He was also an enthusiastic bowls player.\u00a0Derek leaves behind his partner Brenda to whom we extend our sincere condolences.\u00a0 Her address should you wish to contact her is;\u00a0Brenda Lancaster, Lea Lodge, Old Tiverton Road, Cullompton, EX15 1LW\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the time of writing no details are available about Derek\u2019s funeral.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" From Martin Clough, Tower Secretary of Silverton We are sad to announce the death of Derek at his home in Cullompton on Friday 5th\u00a0March.\u00a0 Derek, who was in his mid-eighties, had been a keen ringer (preferring Call Changes) for many …<\/p>\n