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Alf was born in Ivy Cottage opposite the school in
1908. He started work when he was seven and still at school looking
after cows grazing at the roadside.
He left school in 1921 and did farm work before going into the grocery
trade at Woollards shop. After three years there he decided to learn
to drive and went to Denston Hall as under chauffeur. The cars there
were kept so clean Alf had to polish the sumps.
After leaving the village for a year or two to follow the grocery
trade he returned to Wickhambrook to work for Justin
Brookes first as a tree planter and later as a salesman.
Following the Second World War which he spent with the N.A.A.F.I.,
having failed is medical for active service, he joined Pearl Assurance
Co. as their local agent. |
Lay preacher at the Congregational Church,
officer in the Boys Brigade, Footballer, Cricketer, founder member
of the Community Council and History
Society, Alf was all of these as well as being the village
reporter for the East Anglian Daily Times and Bury Free Press.
Alf’s death in 1995 left the village so much poorer but perhaps
the erecting of the village sign, for so long Alf’s dream, will
be a fitting memorial to one of natures true gentlemen.
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The Alf Hicks Crystal
Biscuit Barrel
In 1991 the Barrel was presented to Alf as a gift in recognition
of his service to the Village. Alf kept the Barrel for a while but
then returned it to the Parish Council with a request that it be
awarded annually for outstanding service.
In 1998 the Parish Council decided that, as the Barrel has to be
returned at the end of the year, the recipient should also receive
an award certificate. The first certificate was awarded to Michael
Medcalf. Subsequently certificates were presented to all the previous
recipients of the Barrel.
| Recipients
of the Barrel since 1991 |
1992
Gladys Bishop |
|
| 1993
Gladys Alexander |
| 1994 Peter
Bayman |
| 1995
Derek Pope |
| 1996 Ron
and Edna Penhaligan |
| 1997
Colin Bird |
| 1998 Michael
Medcalf |
| 1999 Dr.
and Mrs. Forsythe |
| 2000
Brenda Fairhall |
| 2001
John Bean |
| 2002
Percy Nunn |
| 2003 David
Turner |
| 2004Ivy
Haygreen |
| 2005Barbara
Merritt |
| 2006Julian Gardner |
| 2007Peter and Pam Miller |
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