Tributes have been paid to a "true gentleman" who served his church community for more than half a century. 

Roy Bullen died on October 17 in hospital, aged 88.

He leaves behind a huge hole in Hindringham and its parish church, St Martin, where he was a churchwarden for 42 years and served on the parochial church council for more than 50 years.

Mr Bullen was born in Hindringham and lived there almost his entire life, apart from his two years of national service in Malta.

He attended Hindringham's village school where he got to know fellow pupil Esme Rowe – also born and bred in Hindringham.

They started courting in their teenage years after Roy walked Esme home one evening from a village hall dance.

Fakenham & Wells Times: Tributes have been paid to Roy Bullen from HindringhamTributes have been paid to Roy Bullen from Hindringham (Image: Supplied)

They had a prolonged engagement while he oversaw the construction of what was to become their home, on Blacksmith’s Lane in the village, where Mrs Bullen still lives.

The couple was finally able to move in, in 1977, after tying the knot at St Martin’s. They had marked 46 years of marriage just a few days before his death.

Mrs Bullen said: “He meant everything to me, he was my carer before he went to the hospital, did a lot of jobs and ran about for me, he was always here for me.

“He was a perfectionist and he had to be right, he is wrong now though, he shouldn't be where he is.”

Fakenham & Wells Times: Tributes have been paid to Roy Bullen from HindringhamTributes have been paid to Roy Bullen from Hindringham (Image: Supplied)

He had enjoyed a long career as a carpenter and also developed his engineering skills, which he regularly also used in his own time, often to help others.

Mr Bullen hand-made some of the fittings that grace St Martin's including a large-scale candelabra lining the nave and robust, and made-to-measure doors for the church porch.

People from the village and beyond packed St Martin’s for Mr Bullen's funeral on November 3.

A eulogy which was read out for him said: “Roy had many a tale to tell of his beloved Hindringham and its characters.

"Now he takes his place as something of a Hindringham legend in his own right. Treasured by the church and community with deep respect and immense fondness.

"And his memory is cherished as a husband, uncle, godfather, friend, and a true gentleman.”