Michael B Norman OH 1956-1963
Tuesday 01 October 2019
Mike Norman was in The Old Deanery from 1956 to 1962. He played Rugby, Fives and Cricket for the school and held the record for throwing the javelin. Cricket was a life-long passion for Mike. He was an extremely good all-rounder and for many years had a house where he converted a field into a full-size cricket pitch and formed his own team – The Dragons – made up of like-minded friends from Tunbridge Wells. It was and still is, a highly respected cricket team. Mike qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1968 and spent much of 1969 travelling with another O.H. around Europe. This included some months working on the passenger liner SS Arcadia as a steward and waiter – an entertaining experience that he never forgot. The “sailors” shared a flat in London for some 4 years and Mike eventually moved back to Tunbridge Wells. He joined a small Accountancy Practice as a partner and continued as a sole practitioner after his partner retired. He was highly regarded by all his clients as a helpful, effective and friendly adviser, with a good sense of humour, who made a strong contribution to their businesses. Many of his clients became firm friends of Mike.Mike was an active member of life in Tunbridge Wells. He played cricket, he was a trustee of charities, he helped organise and supported Arts and cultural events and was active in the business community.Mike had some relatively minor health problems over the past 12 months but a stroke in October came as a shock to his family and friends. Mike was a much loved husband, father, brother, step-father and friend. His widow Diana has received very many warm expressions of condolences and affectionate memories from friends and clients.