Love Andover is sad to learn of the passing of local author Norman Townsend.
Norman was a friend of the organisation and we learn today that he was unable to recover from a heart attack last Tuesday.
Norman passed away at Basingstoke hospital yesterday morning.
His first book, Trashed, was published in 2018. He recently published his second novel, Lethal Response.
The novels introduced lead character, ex-military man Paul Stafford who discovers his small recycling company is up against a ruthless criminal gang who have relied on his tips as a cover for their ‘frightening catalogue of villainous activity’.
In his life, Norman worked as a photographer, milkman, salesman, warehouse manager. Ahead of the launch of his first book, he shared, “I’ve been self-employed, I’ve bought and sold trash when working in the waste industry for thirty or so years. Although I’m now retired, I still buy and sell stuff. ‘Trashed’ is my first novel and it’s based around the waste industry, recycling centres, to be specific.”.
Norman was the former manager at the Shepherds Spring Lane Tip in Andover previously told Love Andover that his books “stretch the reality of what actually happens in recycling and waste disposal.”
Lots of local references to Andover are made in his books. A kindly and gentle man, given his 6’ 7” stature, Norman was a member of ‘The Charlotteers’, a weekly support group for people over 60, held at the Queen Charlotte Inn.
Quietly spoken Norman was never specific about his age, even his closest friends are unsure of which year he was born in.
One of Norman’s last kind offers was to assist landlady Victoria Harber with temporary living arrangements as she leaves fulltime tenancy at short notice later this month.
Norman is survived by Daughter Amy and grandson Stanley.
Our thoughts are with Norman’s family and many, many friends at this sad time.
NORMAN TOWNSEND ???? – 2021
