Potton prepares to say farewell to pillar of the community Eric Jakes – stalwart councillor, churchwarden and …
08:54 05 January 2017
Eric Jakes, photographed in 2009.
Archant
Potton is set to say farewell to a true pillar of the community tomorrow at the funeral of a stalwart councillor, churchwarden and charity fundraiser who could claim the title of ‘Mr Potton’.
Frederick Jakes – a lifelong Potton man and freeman of the town who was known as Eric – died in a Sandy care home last month aged 88 after a life in which he, among other things, served on Potton Town Council for 53 years.
Eric’s funeral will be held at St Mary’s Church in Potton, where he worshipped from childhood and was a churchwarden for 36 years, as well as teaching Sunday school and sitting on the parochial church council.
Dave Thompson, speaking on behalf of the St Mary’s congregation, said: “Eric had lived in Potton for nearly all his life but it was in later years that he