Tributes were yesterday paid to a “kind and considerate” man who was a “stalwart of life” in East Harling, near Thetford.

Tributes were yesterday paid to a “kind and considerate” man who was a “stalwart of life” in East Harling, near Thetford.

Born in Swaffham, Arthur Sheldrake moved to East Harling as a boy with his family in the mid-1920s. He went to school in East Harling and then on to Thetford Grammar School.

During the war he served in the RAF and on his return started work for Wayland District Council, which later became Breckland Council, as a public health officer. When he retired he was deputy chief environmental health officer.

Mr Sheldrake, who died on January 5 aged 84, was an EDP correspondent for at least four decades and was involved in all walks of village life.

In 1965, he became a parish councillor and served as chair-man between 1968-70. He joined St John Ambulance as a boy and continued with the organisation. He became superintendent at East Harling and was area commissi-oner. Mr Sheldrake was awarded the Serving Brother of the Order of St John.

His wife, Varlie, said: “The parish is missing him already. He fulfilled his life. He was a kind and considerate man.”

Philip Edge, chairman of the parish council, said: “He was a stalwart of village life. He was very active.”

Mr Sheldrake also leaves children Will and Julia.

His funeral service will be held tomorrow at 12.30pm at St Peter and St Paul Church, East Harling.