Tribute unveiled to popular TV star (From Haringey Independent)

Tribute unveiled to popular TV star

6:53pm Thursday 12th October 2006 in News By Neeta Dutta

Nearly 100 people attended the unveiling of a memorial bench for actor and former Hornsey resident Paul Eddington, in Priory Common, on Saturday.

Best known for his roles in BBC comedies Yes, Minister and The Good Life, Mr Eddington lived with his wife, Patricia, and four children, in Park Avenue North, for 17 years before the family moved in 1984. Mr Eddington died in November 1995, aged 68, of cancer.

Mrs Eddington, who attended the ceremony with two of the couple's sons, said: "I am very touched that after all this time, they have decided to do this. We moved out of the area such a long time ago but when I went on Saturday I saw so many people that I recognised. I couldn't believe how many people came. He was held in such high esteem and it was just wonderful."

Members of Warner Estate Residents' Association (WERA) organised and raised the £500 needed for the bench, which is located in Priory Common, Priory Road, Hornsey.

The WERA secretary Joyce Rosser said: "We wanted to improve the area and that little stretch of land that is Priory Common. Paul Eddington was such a well-loved resident and people still remember him that it seemed the right thing to have this bench. It will give people a sense of civic pride."

Mrs Eddington was a teaching assistant at Campsbourne Infant School, in Boyton Road, Hornsey, where two of the couple's children attended.

She said: "The parents of some of the children I taught made themselves known to me and it was delightful to catch up. We had some very fond times in the area and all the neighbours were always sweet to us. People were just wonderful then and it doesn't seem to have changed at all."

Lynne Featherstone, the MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, cut the ribbon on the bench, which has an inscription reading: "In memory of Paul Eddington (1927-1995). Much loved TV and stage actor and local resident."