Wilfred John Pointer 28th August 1915 – 16th February 2009
From the Parish News – April 2009
A large congregation gathered on Wednesday March 4th at St. Mary's Church Denton for the funeral service for one of the few remaining truly rural characters of the Village. The Rev. Barry Cramp officiated at the service, and in his address told how John was born in Denton lived his whole active life in the village. Aged 93 yrs. he was in fact the most senior citizen, his life spanned from the cart-horse and horse plough, through the ages of steam and what are now "vintage" tractors, to the modern sophisticated models we know today, from the scythe to the combine, and through two world wars.
John's father Percy came from London with a wish to live in the country, having taken a tenancy at "Street Farm", he later married Eva Revell whose father farmed at "Chapel Farm". John was born at Street Farm and grew up there with his brothers Percy and George. From an early age he was helping on the farm, and while still at Denton School he would help milk his grandfather's cows both before and after lessons.
In 1931 the family moved to Lodge Farm, now known as "East Acre", which had the advantage of more acres. On leaving school John and George worked full time with their father on the farm, these were hard times for farming in the thirties and they worked for little more than their keep. Money was never an important factor in John's life; his satisfaction came from pride in his work.
During the early forties a young lass whose father and mother worked at "Herringfleet Hall", Somerleyton, came to stay during her holidays with her auntie Kay Fairhead at Chapel Corner. Kathleen and John became acquainted and with a little persuasion John began to venture out for cycle rides to the nearby towns to dances, Bungay May Fair and similar attractions, courtship was very frugal with little money to spare.
They married in Somerleyton Church in 1947 and Kathleen joined with George and his wife Dorothy to help at Lodge Farm. When John's father died in the mid sixties the tenancy at Lodge Farm ended, and Kathleen and John, who now had two children, Brenda and Michael, moved to Paynes Hill Farmhouse, John found casual employment around the village, his farm and gardening skills standing him in good stead, they later established a Bed and Breakfast business at the farm house.
John always had a deep commitment to the Church. His grandfather had been Churchwarden. He sang in the choir for a while, he occasionally pumped the organ at various churches for his musically talented brother Percy and when Kathleen became Churchwarden for a period of thirty years, he supported her throughout. His great enthusiasm was for nature, his kindness to all living creatures was passionate, whether wild or domestic, he was never happier than when tending his animals, crops or his garden. This kindness reflected on all he came in contact with, his love for his family, his children and grandchildren was profound, as it was to all his fellow men.
He will be remembered as a kind, thoughtful and selfless man, a true country gentleman. Our sympathy and condolences go to Kathleen, Brenda and Roy, Michael and grandsons Darren and Mark, and his many friends and loved ones.