A memorial bench for Dale Woodhouse has been unveild on the Dereham Recreation Ground by his friend and family. Picture: Matthew Usher.

Relatives and friends of a popular young Dereham man who hanged himself gathered to unveil a bench in his memory on Saturday.

Dale Woodhouse.

Saturday marked the one-year anniversary of the tragic death of Dale Woodhouse, who died at the age of 22.

His mother, Jackie, who attended the bench unveiling with Dale’s father David and two older brothers, Adam and Max, said she was delighted to see so many people turning out to pay tribute to him.

She said: “It is really nice to see so many people here.

“Perhaps if Dale knew how well-loved he was, he wouldn’t have done what he did.”

A memorial bench for Dale Woodhouse has been unveild on the Dereham Recreation Ground by his friend and family. Picture: Matthew Usher.

It was reported at the inquest that Mr Woodhouse made a final telephone call to his mother on March 16 last year and told her: “I can’t take it any more.”

His brother and mother rushed to Poppy’s Wood at North Tuddenham, near Dereham, where Mr Woodhouse, of Winburgh Road, was found hanged.

The inquest heard that Mr Woodhouse’s relationship had broken down shortly before his death.

It was said that this caused him great distress but he had never spoken of taking his own life.

The bench has been placed at Dereham Recreation Ground, off Station Road.

It cost just under £800 and was funded through donations from friends and relatives.

Everything was organised by Louise Whistlecraft, who was a good friend of Mr Woodhouse.

There is a plaque on the bench, which states: “Dale Jack Woodhouse 4th October 1989-16th March 2012. Always in our hearts.”

A party at the Coachmakers Arms in Dereham on Friday night, held in memory of Mr Woodhouse, raised £381 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Mrs Woodhouse said: “It does not get any easier to come to terms with what happened, and I don’t think it ever will.

“In my mind I know that Dale is dead, but I just can’t accept it.

“But his friends have been so supportive. Young people often get such a bad press, which is often unfair.

“Dale used to always come down here and he was really into his skateboarding and his music, so this is a great way of remembering him.”

Miss Whistlecraft said: “I think this is a really good way of showing how much we all cared about Dale and I want to thank everyone who has donated towards the bench.

“Dale will be remembered for his smile. He had the biggest smile and he was always such a friendly, loving person.

“He always seemed very happy and outgoing and you’d never expect someone like Dale to do what he did.”

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