HUNDREDS of well-wishers have said their farewells to a much-loved Suffolk teacher as they packed a village church.A solemn and emotional service was held at St Mary's Church in Tattingstone on Saturday to commemorate the life of Kate Talmadge, who died aged 27.

HUNDREDS of well-wishers have said their farewells to a much-loved Suffolk teacher as they packed a village church.

A solemn and emotional service was held at St Mary's Church in Tattingstone on Saturday to commemorate the life of Kate Talmadge, who died aged 27.

Police officers needed to be called to the village to deal with the sheer number of cars that arrived, and most people had to stand during the service because so many mourners wanted to be able to say goodbye to the inspirational art teacher.

During the service reverend Chris Wingfield asked everyone to remember a positive image of Kate, to make them smile.

While Dr Peter Hayward, a family friend, said: “I'm sure that everyone here has very happy memories of their relationship with Kate.

“We have come here to celebrate her life and she left an amazing legacy for so many people.

“Our love and regard for Kate is revealed by the presence here of so many people.”

In memory of Kate, who died suddenly in her sleep, the Kate Talmadge Art Travel Award has been set up by her family and backed by The Evening Star, Suffolk County Council, the East of England Co-op and Ipswich Hospital.

It will offer an annual bursary for less advantaged art students to give them the opportunity to travel to art galleries.

At Saturday's funeral hundreds of pounds was collected for the cause.

During the service Kate's father, Steve, read a psalm which had been sung to her as a child, while two poems were read and everyone joined in the hymns, Morning has Broken and Great is Thy Faithfulness.

What are your memories of Kate? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.