Remembering popular Andover man Norman Townsend

Norman Townsend, who was a friend to many Andover residents, passed away at Basingstoke hospital last Wednesday (October 3).

He is survived by his daughter Amy Townsend-Blackman and grandson Stanley.

Born in Oxford, Norman moved to Andover in the 80s. Fascinated by renovating houses, Norman has moved around quite a bit in Andover. He has lived in Enham, Roman Way, Pilgrims Way and recently in Weyhill.

His first job in Andover was at Express Dairy as an assistant manager. He later decided to branch out on his own and became Andover’s first and only independent milkman.

Many would remember the Townsend Milk Services and his milk van painted in psychedelic colours.

A feature story of Norman that appeared in Andover Advertiser in 1983

Norman has done a variety of jobs in the town since then. But the most important of those was his role in helping Enham Candles enter the Guinness Book of Records for the world’s largest candle.

“It was my dad’s idea to make the world’s tallest candle to help raise money for the Trust,” Amy told the Advertiser.

“He did a lot of fundraising for Enham back then. He was a sales manager for Enham Candles when they made the world’s largest candle.

“As I was going through his papers, I found a whole folder of newspaper clippings and letters from celebrities like George Cole, Cliff Richard and Margaret Thatcher, relating to his fundraising activities for Enham. They all told him it was a great idea and sent him signed pictures to help raise money for the Trust.”

The letter Norman received from Margaret Thatcher

Norman later worked around tips and waste industry, managing the Andover Recycling Centre. It was the experience from the waste industry that motivated him to pen his first book – Trashed – a crime thriller that came out in 2018. His second novel – Lethal Response – was published recently.

He also loved music, around which Amy has many sweet memories of his dad.

“In my early teens, he used to take me to rock music concerts,” she said.

“The first ever concert he took me to was Roxy Music. Our second concert together was Alice Cooper. He influenced my music taste. He was also really supportive of my writing.”

Norman with his grandson Stanley

Norman’s funeral will be held at Charlton Park Crematorium at 10.30am on December 3.