Hundreds attend Eli Frankham's funeral
HUNDREDS of mourners, including gipsies from all over the country, paid their respects to Eli Frankham this week in a traditional Romany funeral held in Walpole St Peter.
The service, held at the village church on Wednesday, was preceded by a procession of six lorries containing floral tributes to the father-of-five, who died earlier this month from a suspected heart attack.
Wreaths in the form of a greyhound and a boxing ring were included among the tributes, while a yellow-and-red floral arrangement spelling the name Eli took pride of place on the first vehicle.
The service included a heartfelt eulogy from long-time family friend Dave Cooper.
The Rev Michael Cheshire, who led the service, said between 400 and 500 people attended what he described as a "typical Romany funeral."
He added: "It was a very impressive sight. They all walked behind the hearse and are very respectful people. They came out in force to support the family in an incredible way.
"It was just so impressive to see a stream of people walking through the village."
Mr Frankham (43), of Roman Bank, Walpole St Andrew, was dubbed "the King of the Gipsies" by tabloid journalists during the controversial Tony Martin trial.
It is believed he died while staying with his uncle in Swindon as he travelled to see son Eli Frankham junior box in the European Schoolboys' Championships held in Portsmouth.
On Saturday night Eli Frankham junior won gold in a tribute to his father, beating Russian Vladistav Petrov in the 68kg final.
Mr Frankham, a former bare-knuckle fighter, was often on the wrong side of the law, with convictions for burglary, assault and threatening behaviour.
He was given an ASBO for harassing the headteacher or Walpole St Andrew School in 2004 and was on bail for breaching the order when he died.
Having been found guilty of the breach, he was due to be sentenced today.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
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