June and Cecil Lloyd - November 2022 and January 2023
From the Parish News – March 2023.
It is with great sadness that we record the death, in November last year, of June Lloyd and, in January this year, of Cecil Lloyd. They had lived in Globe Close, Denton since the autumn of 1996 when Cecil retired after a lifetime's work in agriculture.
Cecil was born in Bedingham but spent much of his youth living in an old Elizabethan farmhouse in Topcroft, now demolished, known as “The Chimneys”. This was owing to its spectacular ornate brick chimneys. June came from the Dereham area and worked in her youth at a Railway ticket office.
They started married life living in one of the huts on Hardwick airfield used by the American Airforce in World War 2. Later they moved to Ivy Cottage on Longwood Farm, Topcroft, where Cecil worked for the Crawford family for around forty years. They had five children, Edward, Jean, Janet, John and Sylvia. Sadly, John was born with a genetic problem and died in his late teens. June was an accomplished needle-woman and made many of the children's clothes. They were both keen gardeners.
Although he was afflicted with dyslexia, Cecil became a very efficient mechanic, coping with a range of farm machinery from the time of binders and the old “Bagger” combines to the sophisticated machines of the present day. He was completely self-taught and eventually took charge of the farm workshop; his skills even extended to radio and television if required.
Both June and Cecil lived into their nineties. Their Funeral Services and Burials both took place at Topcroft Church, following a life of loyal service.