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ROBERT
JAMES PAYNE, the seventh in a family of nine children, was born at
Wood Dalling 82
years ago, and has
been
known
in Cawston and
the
surrounding
area
as a friendly,
quick-witted
and
efficient
farmer,
with a remarkable
capacity
for
hard
work.
He
demanded the
highest standards
of himself and
of those who
worked
with
him, and
the quality
of his
efforts
was
more important
to him
than
the financial
gain.
Members
of the
farming
community
have
paid
tribute
to his
integrity,
generosity
and fairness.
During
his
long
working
life Jimmy saw many
changes
and
as new ways
replaced
the old he accepted
them
readily.
He
was
always
quick off
the mark,
and
aimed
to
be
among
the
first
with
his ploughing,
sowing
and
harvesting,
moving on from one
job to
the next
with
as little delay as possible.
Visits
to Norwich
for the Speedway and wrestling,
with
a few
good
"shoots"
during
the season, occupied
the little leisure
he allowed himself.
He
married
his dear wife,
Peggy, in Cawston Church
nearly
48
years
ago and she proved to be
the
good woman
who,
we are told,
is
behind
every
successful
man. Together
they saw his life's work
as the
effective
stewardship
of the land he was
called
upon
to
farm,
and this commendable
attitude
stood them
in good stead. It is
nearly 40 years since
their
niece,
Beryl
came to work
at
the
farm,
and her
assistance
has been invaluable, particularly
during
Jimmy's
illness in
recent years.
Only those
who
know
her well can have
any idea of the wide range
of her accomplishments.
Jimmy
had a host of
friends of all ages, from the
children
living nearby to the
senior citizens who
had known him
all
their lives.
Living as he did
under
the shadow of the
great Church of St Agnes,
he
lost no time in making the acquaintance
of a succession of Rectors, entertaining
them
with his rural wit, and no doubt occasionally shocking them slightly
too.
Those of us who were
privileged
to sit
in
the kitchen at
Church Farm,
listening
to Jimmy's
reminiscences,
will never forget
the
experience,
and
it is not surprising
that
Peggy's
tea-pot
was
in great
demand.
Peggy,
Beryl
and
all
members
of the family are
assured
of our love and prayers
as Jimmy
moves
on
to pastures
new,
beyond
the
wonderful experience
that
awaits
us
all.
We
give thanks for the life
of
this remarkable
man,
and for the
way he enriched
our
lives
with
his
dry humour.
He took
with
him
the
Wart-charmer's
Secret, but
he left us
a fine example of good stewardship of
God's
Creation.
 John
Kett (April 1995)
Donations and Collection at Jimmy's funeral service amounted to £860.00
towards repairs of St. Agnes', Church Tower.
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