The seaside village of Mundesley is mourning the loss of the second half of double act who drove the local festival for more than 20 years.

The seaside village of Mundesley is mourning the loss of the second half of double act who drove the local festival for more than 20 years.

Joan Drackett died in the Clarence House nursing home at the weekend, just six weeks after her husband Phil passed away.

Together they had been the powerhouse behind the Mundesley Festival since 1984, until they stepped down last summer through failing health.

Mrs Drackett, a former secretary and shorthand typist also managed a heating firm and edited an RAC publication, as well as having a spell in the Army.

She and her husband, a stand-up comedian-turned-journalist, author and PR man for the RAC, had homes in Mundesley and London before moving to Norfolk full time in 1979 when Mr Drackett went freelance.

They were drafted into the local festival team by founder Charles Loades, who paid tribute to the pair of them.

“They took over the event and the festival became their life - all year round.

“Joan, as general manager used to book the acts and organised things. Phil put it all together and was compere.

“Without them the festival would not have been possible,” said Mr Loades.

Friend and local comedian Pat Nearney, who compered the festival last year when Mr Drackett was too ill, said: “Joan was the power behind the throne. She was a good organiser and always so enthusiastic.”

During their years at Mundesley the couple brought a string of top acts to the village, with jazzmen such as Kenny Ball and Acker Bilk among their favourites.

Mrs Drackett, who was the village correspondent for the EDP for more than 20 years, had undergone heart surgery and recently suffered a fall at home. She had been at Clarence House since Phil died in November.