Denton a village in South Norfolk, England

Lenny (Leonard) George Frost 1933 – 2007

From the Parish News – December 2007

On the 15th October a large congregation at Denton St. Mary's paid their final respects to Lenny, a much loved Countryman, at his funeral, where the Rev. Linda Butler officiated. Moving tributes were made by two of his previous employers, Gill Hipwell on behalf of Peter and Adrian Hipwell, and James Servaes. Adrian also read a poem.

Lenny was born at Long Stratton, one of eight children to Frederic and Elsie Frost, they moved to Park Farm Cottages, Earsham, before coming to live in Middle Road, Denton, to the house now known as Twin Cottage. Lenny went to Earsham School before moving on to senior school in Bungay. He did his National service in the Observer Corps during which term of duty he was proud to be commissioned to line the street in London for the Queen's Coronation.

He returned to work at Park Farm Earsham, in the early days working for Major Meade and Rex Carter. While in these early years he was asked to help Joe and Edna Castleton at Green Farm, Middle Road, Earsham where he met and fell in love with their daughter Doreen. Edna must have taken an instant liking to him as when he asked Doreen if she would like to go to the "Pictures" in Bungay, on asking her mother's permission Doreen was surprised to find she agreed!

Doreen's family moved to Mettingham before they were married on June 21st. 1958, when they returned to start their married life in Lenny's old home at Park Farm Cottages. It was while there, that their daughter Tracey was born, who was soon to become a true "Daddy's Girl", being his helper and companion on many of his country adventures.

In 1970 Peter Hipwell and his family took Park Farm, and Lenny became a very loyal worker and friend to Peter and all the family. His experience as a farm worker was a great asset having worked with horses and all forms of livestock, as well as being competent with a tractor and combine.

When James Servaes came to Carlton Hall Farm in Mettingham following his career in the Guards, he was looking for a reliable assistant to help and advise him on the farm, and also to set up a shoot. Lenny applied and was soon to become his right hand man and again a loyal servant and friend. James brought the Massey Ferguson "35" (which Lenny used and treasured for running round the farm) to St. Mary's on the day of the funeral. We heard how shooting days became the great part of his life, with Doreen supplying the lunch in the barn for the beaters and guns, which brought back a host of happy memories for many their friends.

In April 2006 Lenny and Doreen decided to move back to Denton when the bungalow at Chapelfield next to Tracey and Jason became vacant. Lenny quickly settled into Denton life: pursuing his lifelong hobby tending his beloved garden, giving a helping hand to neighbours if required and taking the dog for long rambles, when he would usually return hours later having met somebody to have a mardle.

September 23rd was the Denton "Dentill" and Harvest Festival Day when some of the old timers in the village relived their past! Lenny thoroughly enjoyed this day with the "Troshin" and all the old vintage tractors being brought back to life. But sadly he was taken seriously ill with an aneurysm that night and rushed to hospital but was never to fully recover.

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