Norwich: Friends of Eaton Park's Christine Wilson dies

A key player in setting up one of Norwich's first park community groups, Christine grew up in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.

A linguist fluent in French and German, she spent her early career in Africa, France and Switzerland working for the World Health Organisation and Médecins Sans Frontier.

Christine pictured in her garden (Image: John King)

In the 1970s she moved to Norwich to study at the University of East Anglia and achieved a degree in International Development Studies, later working for the British Centre for Literary Translation at the UEA.

She was an active member of Norfolk and Norwich Rouen Friendship Association and Friends of Earlham Library and enjoyed going to exhibitions, concerts and plays.

Christine was a talented organic gardener and for many years, secretary for Bluebell South Allotments. A keen cyclist and active in the Norwich Cycling Campaign, she bought an electric bike in her early 70s.

Christine was a keen cyclist and active member of Norwich Cycling Campaign (Image: John King)

In 2007 she joined Friends of Eaton Park, becoming its chairwoman between 2009 and 2012 and remaining on the committee until 2018.

As chairwoman, she championed the park’s trees, birds and butterflies by organising surveys and events. She set up a website, collected memories from older residents and led guided walks and heritage open day events.

Friends of Eaton Park, Alan Collett, left, Christine Wilson, and Judith Lubbock, right, plant one of the fruit trees from Waitrose with James Clifft from Waitrose at Eaton Park in 2013 (Image: Denise Bradley)

Friends of Eaton Park's chairwoman Helen Mitchell said: "Christine was a quiet mover and shaker.

"We've all discovered more about her since her passing.

"She's been involved in so many things and quietly been supporting all these different groups and communities in the city - that's what's really remarkable.

Christine Wilson pictured at Overstrand on the north Norfolk coast (Image: John King)

"She was an absolute inspiration.

"Christine had a gentle and playful presence, a good sense of humour and has left a wonderful legacy."

Her much-loved brother Clive loved to visit the park when up from Bournemouth. When he died in 2019 and Christine sponsored a park bench in his memory.

Christine Wilson served as chairwoman of Friends of Eaton Park from 2009 to 2012 (Image: Helen Mitchell)

She died suddenly of a heart attack on Monday, January 9, 2023.

Christine is survived by her partner of 38 years John King and cousins, William, Jane and Karen.