£3,000 raised for stroke unit following celebration of the life of former chairman and director of the Woolpit Festival

The celebration of the life of a man who was the former chairman and director of the celebrated Woolpit Festival has helped to raise funds for the hospital where he was treated.

Held at the village’s St Mary’s Church back in October, the celebration of David Cordon’s life raised a total of £2,200 alongside donations.

A further £800 was added thanks to money collected from a “Talking Heads” production, created by Alan Bennett and directed for the Woolpit Festival by Stanley Bates and Michael Elles in memory of David.

Mr Cordon died, aged 76, in the stroke unit at the West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds, last September, and had lived in the village since 1979 along with his partner Stanley Bates and close friend Michael Elles. The pair handed the money over to the My WiSH Charity, which supports the work of the hospital.

The three actors originally set up an antiques and tea shop in Stowmarket when they moved to the area and then Woolpit Interiors, in Woolpit.

The packed crowd in the village church, which included people from all over the country, was treated to a humane service by Mr Bates and Mr Elles who opened the proceedings by saying: “I think David would be surprised, touched and a little embarrassed at the turn out today.”

Su Pollard, the former star of the BBC TV Series “Hi De Hi” and a long-term friend of David Cordon, spoke about David. Then Lady Carla Carlisle, who owns the Wyken Estate, near Stanton, a location which hosted Literary Christmas Evenings compiled and directed by Mr Cordon, gave the eulogy. The pair worked for nearly 20 years together on the annual charity event that raised funds for Sans Frontiers and The Actors Benevolent Fund.

Mr Bates said: “David’s life was marked by his sense of professionalism, presentation and quietly getting on with the things that needed to be done.”

He said they were “overwhelmed” by the 140 cards and letters they received following Mr Cordon’s passing with many finding sensitive words of appreciation, affection, and loss at the death of “someone who gave so much during his lifetime and left an impressive legacy to Woolpit.” These were all placed with David his coffin.

Mr Cordon, who was awarded an MBE in the 2004 Queen’s New Year honours list for services to the community in Woolpit, took over the Woolpit Music Week in 1988 and helped bring a name change, initiated fundraising campaigns, and formed The Woolpit Drama Club amongst other things.

Mr Bates said: “He directed a lot of plays and he always knew what he wanted and he always managed to get very good results from all the actors that he used.

“Everybody knew him – I don’t think he quite realised how much he meant to the community of Woolpit.”

He said he wanted to raise funds for the hospital where his partner was cared for “incredibly well, by a caring and compassionate staff.

And he added: “We were thrilled with the amount money that we raised.”

Sally Daniels, fundraising manager, met Stanley and Michael as they handed over the donation to the charity. She said “It’s been a pleasure to meet Stanley and Michael and hear all about David. To be able to help them say a personal thank you to the staf,f who are amazing and care much, is important and David was well remembered by them. The donation is incredible and will make such a difference.”

Main photo: David Cordon MBE.