Obituary: Hon Richard Cabbell Manners
One half of the couple credited with rescuing Cromer Hall and its estate from destruction in the latter half of last century, the Hon Richard Cabbell Manners has died aged 84.
One half of the couple credited with rescuing Cromer Hall and its estate from destruction in the latter half of last century, the Hon Richard Cabbell Manners has died aged 84.
The second son of Lord and Lady Manners, of Avon Tyrrell in Hampshire, Mr Cabbell Manners was educated at Eton and in Switzerland and served briefly in the Grenadier Guards as a young man.
His surname and other family names such as Bond have become woven into the fabric of Cromer through the names of former lifeboats, street names and other community facilities such as the football ground.
Mr Cabbell Manners took on the famous flint walled Gothic property in 1960 alongside his wife Juliet, who had inherited the estate from her grandmother Evelyn, widow of Benjamin Bond Bond Cabbell.
The challenge which followed inheritance was made all the more difficult because the estate had lacked any male influence for more than 60 years, which at the time made management extremely demanding. The result was the estate and hall was tired, largely derelict and in desperate need of renovation.
The hall is considered particularly significant because its design was the beginning of the Gothic revival of the 1820s and the man behind its creation, the Norfolk-born architect William John Donthorn, was well known for his work on grand houses both in the county and around the country.
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Buying more land, building and converting houses and a major restoration of the estate woodland were among the main works necessary to save the estate, all undertaken by Mr and Mrs Cabbell Manners over many years.
Away from the estate, Mr Cabbell Manners was heavily involved in the St John Ambulance, both at a senior level and as a volunteer ambulance driver.
He was also a keen field sports enthusiast and horseman, hunting with the West Norfolk Foxhounds and the North Norfolk Harriers, as well as enjoying whippet racing and greyhound coursing.
Family members said Mr Cabbell Manners' 64 year marriage was a particular source of pride and enjoyment.
Mr Cabbell Manners is survived by his wife, three sons, a daughter, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
A service of thanksgiving will be held at Roughton Church on March 30 at 2.30pm.
