FOR almost 25 years Norman Woodman owned and ran the shop and Post Office at Copplestone, which led to him making friends with many people, as did his love of motor bikes, restoring them and going to rallies.

Norman died last month aged 83. Many people went to his funeral at the Exeter and Devon Crematorium on February 4, which was taken by the Rev Lindsey Starrs.

He had begun writing his life story and it is such a shame he only got about half way through. Born in 1933 at Chawleigh, he would talk fondly of growing up in the farming community with his elder sister and two younger brothers and of living through World War Two.

From school in Chawleigh, Norman had gone to Chulmleigh and then Barnstaple Technical School, where he learned his trade as a carpenter.

He worked first for Hutchings and Son, Witheridge, starting in August 1949. Norman bought his first motorbike and so began his love of motor cycling.

In 1954, he left to help with the milking at home while starting his own building business. In 1960 he married Evelyn Webber, living in Chawleigh in the bungalow Norman built. Their three daughters were born there, then in 1972, they moved to Copplestone, Norman becoming Postmaster of Copplestone Post Office and Stores, Evelyn and the girls all helping.

He later opened a cafe at the side of the shop, catering for the many tourists en route for Cornwall or North Devon as well as local people.

In the late 1970s Norman visited France with Chawleigh Twinning Group, enjoyed it and not long after Copplestone twinned with St Cyr in Normandy, many of the friends made then still friends of the family.

Norman joined the Vintage Motorcycle Club and the Rudge Enthusiasts’ Club, going to motorbike rallies with Evelyn all over this country and Europe, often with the girls. He even did a John O’Groats to Lands End run in 1985.

In the late 1980s, Norman bought a house in France, members of the family helping to restore the French home for Norman and Evelyn, and five grandchildren were born.

Sadly Evelyn died in 1991 and never got to see the house. In 1994 Norman retired, sold the Copplestone business and lived in Brittany, continuing motor cycling and loving the French way of life.

Another grandson was born, then from 2009 two great grandsons and two great granddaughters were born and two more are due this spring.

At his funeral service, his coffin arrived in a motor bike and side car and the sound of a motorcycle disappearing into the distance was played after the Committal.

Donations for Cancer Research UK may still be made via A White and Sons, Albert Road, Crediton EX17 2BZ.

Bearers were Tom and Alex Reed, grandsons, with Simon Camp, Ryan Pym, Danny Causon and Jamie Wyman.

Sue Read