RESIDENTS of a rural area gathered to say “thank you” to a well-known and respected GP who has retired from full-time practice after 33 years.Dr Stephen Norton trained at Charing Cross Hospital Medical School and moved to Framlingham in 1973 when the town's surgery staff consisted of two GPs and two part-time receptionists.

By David Green

RESIDENTS of a rural area gathered to say “thank you” to a well-known and respected GP who has retired from full-time practice after 33 years.

Dr Stephen Norton trained at Charing Cross Hospital Medical School and moved to Framlingham in 1973 when the town's surgery staff consisted of two GPs and two part-time receptionists.

When he retired as senior partner in August this year the practice had six GPs and 20 ancillary staff.

Dr Norton, who is still undertaking locum work at Framlingham, said he had thoroughly enjoyed his career.

“I have taken great pleasure in living and working in a lovely community and helping to build up a patient-friendly team,” he said.

A collection among his patients raised a large sum of money and at a ceremony attended by a big crowd in the parish church on Thursday night, he was handed a watercolour painting by John Joseph Cotman and a cheque. The presentation was made by Patsy Hunt, a retired nurse.

Married with three children, two of them now doctors, Dr Norton intends to spend part of his retirement pursuing his love of the arts, travelling and gardening.

His successor at the Framlingham practice is Dr Darryl Peel, married with three children, who had eight years as a GP at Halesworth before spending 18 months in Australia.