Percy Takes The Biscuit Barrel For Village Work

Bury Free Press 2002

Percy Nunn [Credit Bury Free Press]

A popular Wickhambrook resident has been rewarded for his contribution to the village over the years. Percy Nunn, 84, has been presented with the Alfred Hicks Crystal Biscuit Barrel for more than 55 years of service to the village. Ever since moving to Wickhambrook in 1946, Mr Nunn has plunged himself into village life, as treasurer of the flower show, churchwarden, firefighter and, more recently, chairman of the history society.

"I was completely surprised to get this. I'm fairly low profile in what I do although most people know me in the village. I feel honoured to get this. It is very nice of them to give me the award," said Mr Nunn, who lives at Nunnery Green. Former Wickhambrook Parish Council chairman, Cllr Peter Bayman, presented the award to Mr Nunn last Thursday night at the Memorial Social Centre Pavilion.

Current chairman, Cllr Julian Wilson, said: "The award is given annually to one prominent person who has been in the village a long time and who has made a specific contribution to village life."

"Percy is a very prominent member of the village and he has done a lot to contribute to life here."

Mr Nunn gave up some of his village duties to devote time to looking after his wife Vivien, who suffered from multiple sclerosis for more than 20 years. Sadly, she died six years ago.

The Wickhambrook village correspondent for the Bury Free Press and other local newspapers for more than 60 years, Alfred Hicks, after whom the award is named, founded the local history society around 20 years ago. He had also worked with Mr Nunn at the Justin Brooke farming enterprise in 1934.

"It was a bit nostalgic for me receiving this award as I knew Alf very well," said Mr Nunn. When Mr Hicks died in the mid-1990s, Clement Fuller had a short spell as history society chairman before Mr Nunn took over seven years ago.

"I've got a very active, wonderful committee who work very hard and are very enthusiastic. The society has got so popular. When I joined we used to get 30 people at the meetings now sometimes there are as many as 70," said Mr Nunn. And the success of the society means it will soon be moving its meetings from the pavilion, to the larger Women's Institute Hall.

More about Alf Hicks & his award

http://www.wickhambrook.org/alf.htm