Tribute to family man who was one of Peacehaven's ‘best known-figures’

Norman Ayass joined the Newhaven, Peacehaven & Seaford Lions Club in 1985 and remained a proud Lion for the rest of his life. His involvement included playing Father Christmas at festive fairs held at the Meridian Hall in Peacehaven.

Alongside his work with the Lions, Norman ran his shoe shop, Caligula, in Rottingdean from 1990 until his retirement in 2013 and was also well known at Dallingers Shoes in Saltdean, of which he was co-owner. He was an avid fund-raiser and often put his skills as a shoe salesman to good use, persuading people to buy raffle tickets or advertise their businesses in Lions event programmes.

Away from work and volunteering, Norman was a devoted family man. He was married to Brenda for 58 years and was the proud father of two sons. He was a lifelong wrestling fan and was still watching wrestling on television during his final few weeks.

That passion was passed on to his younger son, Dean, who went on to enjoy a long career in British professional wrestling as an MC, manager and commentator. For many years, until his health no longer allowed it, Norman could often be found proudly watching from the audience as Dean caused chaos at ringside.

Dean wanted to do something to honour his father's memory and recognise the fact that, without him, he may never have developed his own love of wrestling or enjoyed the stellar career that followed. And so on Saturday the Ayass Invitational, a tournament featuring wrestlers personally invited to compete by Dean, is being staged in the same venue that Norman performed as Father Christmas.

The tournament, involving the UK's best technical wrestler, Jordon Breaks, international star Jack Moody from Ireland, giant wrestler Big Country Ben and "Muscles" Mansfield, is part of a show that will also feature a match for the Premier Wrestling Federation tag team championship as The Beards defend the title against two local stars, Sussex champion P. J. Reeves and Isaac Freyda.

Tickets for the event that starts at 7.30 and will also include a last man standing American Rumble are available at www.ticketsource.co.uk/premier-promotions or telephone 0333 666 3366. There are discounts for advance bookings, including family tickets.