MAJORETTES all over the Felixstowe area have been shedding tears after the death of one of the activity's best-known leaders.Arthur Harvey, who was greatly loved by those involved in majorettes, died suddenly at his home.

By RICHARD CORNWELL

richard.cornwell@eveningstar.co.uk

MAJORETTES all over the Felixstowe area have been shedding tears after the death of one of the activity's best-known leaders.

Arthur Harvey, who was greatly loved by those involved in majorettes, died suddenly at his home. He was 79.

His wife, Barbara, said he had had a mild heart attack recently and had suffered from angina, but his health had been improving.

"I went up to bed and left him downstairs, and the next morning I found him still sitting in his chair and he had died during the night," said Mrs Harvey, of Pond Close, Felixstowe.

Mr and Mrs Harvey founded the Debenaires majorette troupe in the early 1980s when majorettes became hugely popular, based on the routines of the cheerleaders which were so well-loved at American sports events.

The Debenaires were hugely successful, winning hundreds of trophies – including 99 in one day on one occasion – at competitions all over the country.

Mr Harvey, who was for many years until his retirement a local milkman, was also a UK Federation of Majorettes judge.

"So many people have contacted us to express their sympathy – including lots of the girls who were majorettes, many of them now married with their own children. People have been so kind and it is nice to think how much Arthur meant to them all," said Mrs Harvey.

Both he and his wife, were also involved in fundraising for good causes and both served on Felixstowe Carnival committee for nearly ten years.

A funeral service for Mr Harvey, who leaves two children and four grandchildren, will be held at Ipswich Crematorium at 2.30pm on July 11.