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We have sadly learned that well known Punch and Judy man Norman Morris (Norman Prof Morris) passed away on the 25th July 2010.

Norman may be known to a number of our older members, and our thoughts are with Norm's familly and friends.

Norman suffered a heart attack mid-show during Punch's Picnic, and died later in hospital, he was appearing as part of the Basingstoke Punch and Judy Festival that he was organising.

We have been advised that the funeral will take place at Basingstoke Crematorium, Stockbridge Road, Basingstoke, RG25 2BA, at 11.45am on Tuesday 10th August.

We recieved some information from Eliza Berry who paid tribute to Normans professionalism, his love of what he did, and had achieved:

Norman collapse during his show at Punch's Picnic, but he died afterwards at the hospital and not on site.  In fact he knew he was seriously not well when he announced ' Sorry, boys and girls I can't carry on with the show', which were his last words and evidence of his thoughtfulness and professionalism to the end.  I know because I was there.  

The other point to clarify is that Norman's last deed on this earth was dedicated to offering something he loved - amusing entertainment and, judging from the raucous laughter emitting from his show from children, families and friends, he did it very well.  

Norman created and organised Punch’s Picnic, a new event for Basingstoke’s Punch & Judy Festival and we worked together towards his vision: to bring together a larger audience using fun and humour with a dollop of cheekiness. He literally put his heart into this event and despite the tragedy, the success of Punch’s Picnic at the end of the day is a tribute to this man with the big smile who died while fulfilling a dream.