THIS year’s 10th anniversary Stockton Heath Festival will be a tribute to its founder Tudor Pole who sadly passed away recently.
Ian Simpson, who is Tudor’s son-in-law and Chairman of the Trustees said: “This year will be the 10th annual Stockton Heath Festival and this was all due to a great man Tudor Pole, who sadly passed away on the 5th January, aged 85.
“We all owe Tudor a great debt for being one of the founders of our very successful annual festival which has gone from strength to strength, based on the strong foundations that he helped set up.”
Tudor died at home on January 5 after battles with a number of illnesses. His wife Joan, his daughter Karen and his son Julian were all with him.
Ian added: “The health services and friends and neighbours have all given fantastic support, particularly over the last month; this has been much appreciated. Tudor was of course one of the founders of the Stockton Heath Festival, previous Director, Trustee and our Honorary President.
“Tudor was always there to give advice and guidance to us, the Committee, and a great ambassador and supporter of the Festival following his retirement from the Festival Committee in 2015. Only last year we saw him on the Festival Field on the Sunday giving out the raffle prizes with his usual beaming smile, and a special prize for the Art Exhibition has been named in honour of him. He was also honoured with the ‘freedom of Stockton Heath’ in 2016 and will be much missed by all who knew him.”
Tudor’s funeral will be on Friday, January 20 at 1.15pm at St. Thomas’ Church, Stockton Heath.
Festival Director, David Craggs added: “ Tudor, when I moved to Stockton Heath, inspired me as a volunteer to take on the role of Festival Director. With all the Committee’s support in memory of Tudor we will ensure that our 10th Anniversary Festival to be held 29th June to 2nd July will be a fitting tribute to a true Community inspiration.”
If any would like to join the festival team visit their facebook/Twitter pages or website www.stocktonheathfestival.co.uk
Picture shows Tudor with local craftswoman Ally Noble displaying the annual Honorary President’s prize, created 2015, awarded to art work receiving the most public votes at the Art exhibition held during the Festival at St Thomas’ Church.
