Funeral held up by flood

FAMILY and friends intending to pay their last respects to well-known Hooe resident Don Baker were affected by Monday's torrential rain and floods.

Don, a member of the former Russells Green Tug O' War team which in the Sixties became champions of all England, died on February 3, aged 90.

His funeral had first to be put back because snow prevented relatives getting to the village.

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Apart from Army service in North Africa and Italy, Don had spent his entire life in Hooe, one of 12 children all of whom attended the village school. He worked at Sandhall Farm in the village after leaving school and for Sargent's small-holding on his return.

Don met his late wife, Ethel, during the war in Carlisle. They went on to enjoy more than 60 years of married life.

In addition to tug o' war, Don's sporting achievements had included playing darts for the Red Lion Inn team and football for Hooe Football Club.

Monday's funeral was intended to be at the village church of St Oswald. But the narrow access lane was flooded so badly that mourners queuing in their cars at the junction with the Hooe to Pevensey Marsh Road were eventually advised that the 10am service had been transferred to St Mary's Church at Ninfield.

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There, at 11am and with the rain still teeming, the Rev Simon Earl, who is Vicar of both churches, explained that the service would have to go ahead - without Don's presence. With a busy schedule to maintain, the undertakers had gone on to their next engagement.

In any case, as the Vicar explained, internment would have to wait until the water table dropped, Don's grave having flooded almost to the brim.

It was a situation which all present noted would have amused Don mightily. In his address, the Vicar referred to Don's ever-present sense of humour.

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