Arthur Henry Hannabuss (1940 – 2008)

We were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Arthur Hannabuss, one of Devon’s finest Master Thatchers, when he suffered a brain haemorrhage and fell from the roof he was thatching on Tuesday 27th May. Taken into hospital, Arthur was on life support until Monday 2nd June, when he passed away, peacefully, in his wife’s arms.

Born 24th November 1940, in Crediton, Devon, Arthur Henry Hannabuss spent his childhood in Uplowman, near Tiverton and was educated at Heathcoat, Tiverton. Leaving school at fifteen, Arthur followed in his Grandfather’s and Father’s footsteps and went into the family business before meeting his wife, Wendy and establishing AH and WA Hannabuss Thatching Contractors, in the early 1970’s.

As well being as a member of the National Society of Master Thatchers, Arthur also belonged to the Devon and Cornwall Master Thatchers Association, where, in the past, he stood as Chairman. Arthur’s thatching knowledge and skilled workmanship is reflected on many a roof across Devon, where he thatched all his life. He never took on work that would keep him away from his family, his wife, Wendy, their children, Susan, Sonya and Sarah and he took great pride in his grandchildren, Anthony, Amy and Hayley, with whom he loved to spend his time.

A clever and practical man with an interest in sciences, Arthur always came up with a solution and had advice to hand. In his workshop at home, Arthur liked to turn his hand to carpentry and made his own tools and in the early years, in the evenings, would make his own spars. Always taking a great pride in his work, Arthur was a stickler for getting things done properly and paying attention to detail. A characteristic for which he is fondly remembered at home, too, having great energy and drive to see things through.

In the garden, neat rows of beans, potatoes, onions, rocket, carrots and cabbages do justice to Arthur’s ‘green fingers.’ The season’s first crop of potatoes and beans pulled and picked eagerly, as soon as they came through ‘and still a little early,’ Wendy recalls, ‘they enjoyed them for lunch the same day,’ (and just a week before Arthur’s fall) - a treat Arthur savoured and one which Wendy is glad he had. Arthur enjoyed growing and eating his own fruit and vegetables and was a keen shooting and hunting man, ‘policing the pests’ that threatened them: pigeons and rabbits.

Married 2nd April 1966, Arthur and Wendy recently celebrated their Ruby Wedding Anniversary in Mauritius and had plans to travel when Arthur retired in November. Sociable and popular, Arthur had a passion for Sequence dancing and he and Wendy regularly attended dances, where ‘he would dance all night’ never slowing or letting up pace! Arthur had many friends and acquaintances, above all, Jason, his work colleague and friend, with whom he had worked everyday for the last twenty-three years. Arthur’s strength of character and energy and his kind and caring spirit will be warmly remembered and sadly missed by everybody.

His funeral took place on 26 June at St Andrews Church, Cullompton.

Obituary by Claire Tozer