Tributes paid to former restauranteur and singer

Brian Jewell, who lived on Henlow High Street, died at home in his sleep on Saturday, August 13.

Brian, 81, was best known for owning and running the Old Barns restaurant in the village with his wife, Norma. The business was sold when they retired.

He was born in Kingsbury in 1929 and came to Henlow when his family returned to their native Bedfordshire to avoid the war in 1939.

He attended Henlow schools and on leaving worked at the Cooper family farm, which left him with a life long love of horses and farming.

After national service in the Royal Horse Artillery he served an apprenticeship as a mechanic at Owen Godfrey’s at Biggleswade.

Brian married Henlow girl Norma Ransom at St Mary’s Church in 1952.

He left the motor trade and joined his father as a builder, going on to build housing estates and factories, but his first love was restoration and his handiwork can be seen on many churches and houses around the district.

He restored churches at Meppershall, Hitchin, Old Warden, Hinxworth, Ashwell, Arlesey and Blunham, doing repairs to stonework, roofs and internal refurbishments.

As well as serving two terms on Henlow Parish Council from the late 1960s to the 1970s, Brian will also be remembered as the former churchwarden and choirmaster.

A tenor voice, he joined the choir in the early 1960s and was an active member until the time of his death. He also sang with Biggleswade Choral Society and the North Herts Guild of Singers and took part in the National Eisteddfod of Wales festival.

Son Philip said: “He built the pavilion at Henlow Cricket Ground so he has left something behind.

“He was a very creative person. He loved fine wines and food and he tried to create that atmosphere at the restaurant.”

Brian is survived by his wife of 59 years, their four children, Philip, Nicholas, Lorraine and Andrew and their seven grandchildren.

His funeral will take place at Henlow Church at noon on Tuesday, August 30.