Denis Turton 1919–2016
Founder member and Trustee of Leominster Museum
Denis was a founder member and Trustee of Leominster Museum when the Trust Deed was signed in 1970.
The Museum exists because of this determined group of people who thought the history of Leominster and the local area should go on display in its own home.
In 1972 the old Mission Hall was opened and over the years a Stable Block was acquired and a building to house the Cider Mill was built.
All of this was overseen by Denis from the legal point.
Wilfred Denis Turton was born in the Newcastle area and the family moved south to Canterbury where his brother Eric was born. (Eric became the Curator of the Museum after his retirement to Luston.) Denis and Eric as well as their middle brother Basil went to Caterham School in Surrey.
Both Denis and Eric had a great interest in the history of Leominster and as well as the Museum both were involved in the Historical and Civic Societies.
Denis had moved from Hertfordshire to take over the firm of Lloyd and Son, Solicitors, in the late 1960’s and it was in Lyonshall that Denis with his wife Kay lived and their three sons Paul, John and Bob were raised.
In Denis’ work he became Registrar for Leominster District and as such performed many marriages, as well as his duties as a solicitor. Denis also was extremely interested in maps and in particular local maps of which he had an extensive collection (at one time reputedly the largest privately owned collection in Herefordshire).
In latter years, although his health was not too good and mobility became a problem, he still retained a great interest in the Museum, Historical Society and Rotary where he served as President. Unfortunately he was unable to attend meetings but he still was interested in all that was going on.
