A member of the society for almost half a century, Pauline Spelman, has died aged 88.
She was also a committee member of the Society for seven years from 2010. Her late husband, Edgar, had joined the committee in 1994 as publicity and postal officer.
He was responsible for dealing with postal sales of the society’s books, greeting cards, tea towels and other goods and every three months, despatching The Round Tower magazine. When Edgar died in late 2010, Pauline took on much of this work and joined the committee herself.
They had joined the Round Tower Churches Society back in the 1970s. Pauline was a regular on the Norfolk Church Tours and the society’s summer church visits. She especially appreciated the opportunity to meet old friends and enjoy church teas too.
Latterly, she became too frail to join the tours.
She died peacefully on January 30, 2021, leaving a daughter, Jasmine. The Society has lost a long-standing member and supporter.
Obituary: Eddie Spelman, who died in 2010.
Popular voice of the Press dies aged 78 – Edgar Spelman
Switchboard operator Eddie Spelman, who died aged 78 in December 2010 at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, was the “voice” of the Press for two decades.
He manned the night switchboard for the Eastern Daily Press at Prospect House until he retired in March 1996. He had joined the former City of Norwich Police, patrolling the streets on foot before switching to two wheels when lightweight motorcycles were introduced.
After his sight was damaged in a work accident, he transferred to the control room at Bethel Street, Norwich. Then, when Norfolk Constabulary was formed in 1968, he took on a similar role at the Martineau Lane headquarters.
Born in Sprowston, Edgar Charles Spelman, who was a middle son, went to St Mark’s School, Lakenham, before winning a scholarship to the City of Norwich School.
He joined Norfolk County Council as an office boy in the county surveyor’s office before doing his two years’ National Service in the Royal Air Force, where he was trained in air communications.
He joined the police, somewhat against his mother’s wishes, and completed more than 30 years until retiring in May 1983. He did return to patrol duty again in Norwich between 1973 and 1975.
A long-serving treasurer of Norwich Electronic Organ Society, he was also a keen amateur wine maker. As a keen photographer, he specialised in taking wedding pictures and chronicled the activities of the Norwich Area Desert Rats Association. And members were so grateful that he was made an honorary member for his many years of photography.
Mr Spelman, who lived in Norwich, was also a council member of the Round Tower Churches Society. As publicity officer, he also arranged distribution of the Society’s quarterly magazine, The Round Tower.
Married to Pauline, he leaves a daughter Jasmine. He is survived by his elder bother, Alan.
Taken from the Eastern Daily Press, December 2010.