Stock car leads funeral procession for George Atkins in Dereham

And now a final farewell has been given to George Atkins, from Dereham, who died on September 13 following a battle with prostate cancer, aged 83. 

People watched on as a cortege through the town centre was led by two classic stock cars and two banger cars from Swaffham raceway.  

Scores of mourners then paid their respects to Mr Atkins at a funeral at St Nicholas Church on Friday (October 13).

His daughter, Sharon, said: “My dad was known by lots in the town, and he will be sadly missed by many.

“As my father, he will be fondly remembered as always being there for me and my husband Andy, and children Mark and Shannon.

“He was always happy to help anyone out and with a quirky sense of humour, and he leaves a big hole in our lives.”

George Atkins from Dereham died on September 13 following a battle with prostate cancer after being diagnosed in 2020 (Image: Sharon Brierley)

Mr Atkins was born on February 26, 1940 in Narford to Violet and Jacob Atkins and had two brothers and two sisters. 

He married Daphne on October 28, 1967, at Dereham's St Nicholas Church - they were together for 56 years. 

Mr Atkins had an array of jobs throughout his life. He worked on a farm in Sporle before he got married. 

He worked at Crane Fruehauf in Pickenham and then Dereham as a fitter and welder for 37 years before retiring.

A classic stock car on a trailer leads the funeral procession at Dereham for George Atkins, a track marshal at Swaffham Raceway (Image: Denise Bradley)But he found retirement did not suit him, so he got a new job at Morrisons collecting trolleys, something he did for nine years.

Sharon was born in September 1970.

The funeral service at Dereham for George Atkins, a track marshal at Swaffham Raceway (Image: Denise Bradley)In his spare time, Mr Atkins mended bicycles for individuals and for the Post Office.

He also cut grass for his neighbours on the estate where he lived.

Mr Atkins worked on the track at King's Lynn Speedway, and as a flag marshal at Swaffham Raceway from the early 1970s, until ill health stopped him earlier this year.

He was also a regular visitor to auctions in the area and car boot sales at Bradenham.

A classic stock car on a trailer leads the funeral procession at Dereham for George Atkins, a track marshal at Swaffham Raceway. (Image: Denise Bradley)
The funeral service led by Rev Rachael Dines at Dereham for George Atkins, a track marshal at Swaffham Raceway (Image: Denise Bradley)

Classic stock cars and bangers cars which were part of the funeral procession at Dereham for George Atkins, a track marshal at Swaffham Raceway (Image: Denise Bradley)