Bench Unveiled to Remember Prominent Watton Citizen

Residents at Watton’s newest community will be able to take the weight off their feet – thanks to a bench which has been donated by former Round Tablers in memory of one of the town’s leading citizens. 

The bench in memory of auctioneer and horse-lover Noel Abel was unveiled by his widow Rita and son Tony on green space on Shire Horse Way, part of the hus46+ development of new homes which is being built by Abel Homes. 

The new homes have been constructed on land which was once home to the Abel Removals shire horses, made famous by Noel Abel, who died in 2012.  The bench carries the inscription ‘In memory of Noel Abel (1929-2012) and his Shire Horses on this open space’. 

The bench was funded by donations from Mr Abel’s former Round Table colleagues, friends and family, and faces the recently unveiled life-sized shire horse collage created by leading wildlife artist Harriet Mead, which was commissioned by Abel Homes to mark the site’s heritage. 

“This place was where my dad was always happiest, looking after his beloved shire horses, so it’s entirely appropriate that this bench is sited here,” said Tony Abel.  “I’m sure that my father would have been proud of what we have created here – a new community with plenty of open green space. 

“The family is very grateful to all the Round Tablers and others who undertook this initiative to mark my father’s passing, and who generously donated towards its cost.” 

Noel Abel was best known as a sharp-witted auctioneer, estate agent and for founding the removals company which still bears his name.  Whilst born in 1929 near Acle, when he was eight years old his family moved to Watton and that’s where he stayed for the rest of his life. 

He formed the company which became Abels of Watton in 1961, and famously helped the newly-married Prince Charles and Princess Diana move into their new home at Highgrove.  In 1989 the company received the Royal Warrant. 

From 1978 the Abels shire horses were a familiar sight at shows throughout the UK and Europe, with appearances at the ‘Horse of the Year Show’, Windsor Great Park, Sandringham and the Salon du Cheval in Paris amongst the highlights.  He had many magnificent shire horses, all named after kings, and collected and restored various wagons from far and wide. 

He was a founder member, and past Chairman, of both Watton Young Farmers and Watton Round Table.