Tributes to Edward "Eddie" Page, Little Paxton’s bingo caller

Edward “Eddie” Page would be ready with his microphone every Thursday night for the regular community event at Little Paxton.  

Most weeks, the small village hall was packed with familiar faces from the community, sitting at the tables, ready for eyes down at 8pm.  

'...a very traditional bingo caller'

Eddie Page would make sure everyone at the bingo nights in Little Paxton enjoyed themselves. (Image: Supplied by the family of Eddie Page)

Paying tribute to her Dad, his daughter Karen said: “Dad was very passionate about the village and absolutely loved the community.   

“He was a very traditional bingo caller. I will always think of Dad when he called ‘both the fours, droopy draws’ - which he would then follow by saying ‘pull them up’!   

“When he called the classic numbers, he’d expect the correct reaction back from the crowd.  

“Legs, 11, had to have the wolf whistle and, of course, ‘two little ducks’ 22 had to be followed by two quacks.  

“He really did his best to make sure everyone enjoyed themselves and had a great time. Dad would also call the bingo numbers at a local care home too.”  

The Bingo Club will continue to run in the village on Friday evenings in Eddie’s memory.  

Karen, and the ladies who helped Eddie, are determined to keep the sessions going and there will be a framed photograph of him in action placed in the hall. 

Entertaining the community in lockdown

Eddie with the organisers of Little Paxton's bingo club. (Image: Supplied by the family of Eddie Page)

Eddie was also well-known among the community for his entertaining antics during lockdown.  

For example, he cycled around the village dressed as Elvis.  

Dressed as iconic singers, he also filmed himself miming along to pop classics and posted the videos on his Facebook page. 

“He loved making people laugh,” Karen added.  

Eddie's early years

Eddie was born on March 31, 1950, in Great Paxton.  

His grandfather was a signal man on the railway and trains were a huge part of Eddie’s, and his brother Ivan’s, lives.  

Their father, Ted, who is in his early 90s, would make toys for his children using his woodworking skills.  

For example, he would build sledges for them to play with during the icy winters.  

He also built Eddie’s first bike from the parts of four other bikes. In fact, Eddie never learned to drive and cycled everywhere throughout his life.

Eddie Page, pictured with his late wife Denise, who also enjoyed bingo. (Image: Supplied by the family of Eddie Page)

Many of their family members worked at the Samuel Jones paper mill, and Eddie also joined when he left school at 15.  

There, he met his late wife Denise, and the couple married in 1976 at St Neots Church.  

They settled in Little Paxton and went on to have two children, Karen and Martin. 

George and Alice are their grandchildren, though he was also known as “Grandad Eddie” to the many children who are friends of the family.  

Little Paxton Bingo Club

Denise enjoyed going to the bingo with her friends and helped set up the Little Paxton Bingo Club.  

Karen said: “When Mum was suddenly taken ill and died in 2002, Dad was adamant he wanted to keep the popular club going. 

“He took over the calling, and with support of Georgie and Janet, the bingo club has been going from strength to strength.” 

Bingo caller Eddie was a familiar face at the weekly bingo club in Little Paxton. (Image: Supplied by the family of Eddie Page)

When Samuel Jones relocated, he switched jobs and retrained as a carer at The Hillings residential home in Eaton Socon.  

“He loved caring for people and making them smile,” Karen added. “He was such a kind and generous man.  

“Even though he was struggling with his own health during lockdown, he still did the dressing up and fun stunts to entertain people during a really difficult time. It meant a lot to him.”   

'On the day of his funeral, the sun was shining...'

Eddie passed away on January 8 at the Royal Papworth Hospital. His funeral was held on February 15 at St James' Church, Little Paxton. 

Karen said: “On the day of his funeral the sun was shining, which was wonderful.  

“He was such a happy and positive person so that weather felt right.” 

Eddie's family have been accepting donations for the Royal Papworth Charity, British Heart Foundation and the Stroke Association.  

The funeral director was T L Cobbold, of St Neots.