Basingstoke news and sport from the Basingstoke Gazette

Tributes and tales on Ron flooding into cyberspace

From the archive, first published Saturday 16th Dec 2006.

THE funeral takes place tomorrow of one of Winchester's best-known characters.

Ron Purse, 71, known to many as Burping Ron', died last weekend.

Tributes have been pouring into the Daily Echo with some 50 on the website alone. A Burping Ron Appreciation Society' has even been set up, with a reported 600 members, from those who appreciated his individuality.

Many people have been recalling stories about Mr Purse, of Fivefields Road, whose funeral will be at All Saints' Church, Highcliffe, at 12.30pm.

Joanna Lovegrove e-mailed: "I remember Ron knocking on my Granddad's door when they lived in Portal Road, Highcliffe. He said: Taff, have ya got some pliers?' I remember my Granddad saying: You doing some DIY, Ron?' No', was the reply, "I've got toothache!"

Jackie Allen, of Raymond Road, Shirley, Southampton, said: "I lived in Winchester from 1966 to 1988. Every Friday morning us young mums would gather for coffee in Wilkens, often seeing Ron there. One day he told us it was his birthday. I wished him a happy birthday, whereupon he launched a big birthday kiss on me.

"I never lived down snogging Ron Purse, but he was such a genuine, kind man that I felt somewhat honoured."

Oliver Gray, of Finches Lane, Twyford, said: "As a self-employed writer, I was delighted when a publisher from Germany arranged to meet me back in 1979 to discuss a potentially lucrative project.

"After a pleasant lunch, I was conducting my guest past the Buttercross when we were spotted by Ron, who rushed over and conducted a high-volume conversation about the state of health of his rabbit."

Patricia Haste, of Mountbatten Court, Andover Road, Winchester, said: "I know most people think that he was a scruffy old man but a few will remember him in his younger days when he did work hard for his living."

Stuart Thorpe, of Braishfield, near Romsey, said: "They certainly broke the mould when they made him.

Recollection

"My first recollections were when he worked in the butchers' just before St Swithun's bridge at the bottom of the town. I was just a small lad and had never before heard anyone with a voice like his. He sounded like Steptoe on steroids.

"Over the years I suffered many a direct hit from Ron's burps' but that was part of his charm.

The last time I saw him was in The Royal Oak about a year ago.

"He informed me it was his birthday whereupon I bought him a pint.

"He thanked me and said in his loud squeaky voice my birthday is always on the same day as my birthday'. Who could argue with that? May he burp in peace."