Norman Wellens - Rochdale ‘Man of the Year’

Norman Wellens when he recieved The Avenues of Service Citation for outstanding efforts of service to Middleton Rotary Club

Retired funeral director Norman Wellens was named as Rochdale Man of the Year at the Springhill Hospice luncheon held at the Town Hall.

As well as being a funeral director, taking over the long-established family business, Mr Wellens has been heavily involved in community activities for many years and has been very active within Middleton Rotary Club. He is a former President, as was his father before him.

Speaking to Rochdale Online, Mr Wellens said: “I am rather surprised and deeply honoured to be given this award. I have been involved in community activities all my life as a way of giving something back. It has also given me much fun and fellowship over many happy years in the area.”

He is proudest of all of helping to set up the Middleton and Heywood Bereavement Support Group in 1998. This organisation is run by six volunteers and helps people come to terms with the death of a loved one.

Wellens and Sons Funeral Directors owes its origins to Norman’s great-grandfather. Records show that he sold his first coffin for 14 shillings (70p) to a Mr Joseph Nutt in 1837. Joseph was a master tailor as well as an undertaker and Mr Wellens told us that coat hangers still occasionally turn up, embossed with his ancestor’s name and dual profession!

At one time there were 17 funeral directors operating in Middleton but today there is just one or two despite the massive increase in population. The Wellens family opened up Middleton’s first chapel of rest and the company still operates from the same Long Street premises it moved into in 1955.

Although Norman has formally retired, he still helps out when asked to do so by daughter Katherine Turner and son Kit Wellens.