Devoted animal fundraiser remembered

A WOMAN from Frome who raised thousands of pounds for animal charities, has died aged 91.

Myrtle Hurle, along with her husband Ken, dedicated their time to raising money for the Bath Cats and Dogs Home and the RSPCA.

Two years ago her efforts were recognised by the cats and dogs home when it named a cattery after her. Liz Oldroyd, the  chair of trustees said,  “Myrtle Hurle was a wonderful supporter of the home and will be greatly missed. Her dedication and commitment to the animals in the care of Bath Cats and Dogs Home was endless and Myrtle worked tirelessly to raise funds for the home and to promote animal welfare in the Frome area, for which we are so grateful.

“In recent years Myrtle held the honorary position of vice-president at Bath Cats and Dogs Home and in 2014 our new cattery was named The Myrtle Hurle Cattery to recognise and celebrate all that Myrtle had achieved for the home, which will forever stand in her memory.”

Myrtle Hurle (née Ackland) was born in Frome on 13th September 1924. After leaving school, she worked at WH Smiths in Frome where she met her husband Ken. He was working at a local solicitors when he popped into the shop and saw Myrtle while buying a Pitman’s Shorthand Weekly.

Myrtle eventually moved to Stocktons the corner grocery shop to work until the war, before returning to work there until her marriage.

Although separated during the war when Ken was serving in Egypt and Myrtle was nursing in Barrow Court Convalescent Home, their relationship flourished by letter. They married on 12th July 1947, living in Rodden Road, Frome, before moving to Windsor Crescent in 1981.

There they remained until November last year when they moved to Gracewell Healthcare in Welshmill Lane, Frome, when Myrtle’s health deteriorated.

Throughout Myrtle’s life she was totally devoted to animals, adopting elderly cats to give them love and security in their final days and adopting dogs from Bath Cats and Dogs Home.

As well as fundraising for the two animal charities, she also set up shops for them in various vacant premises including the current Bath Cats and Dogs Home premises in Stoney Street.

Myrtle and Ken set up stalls at local fetes in Mells, Nunney, Beckington and at the Cheese and Grain in Frome for many years, again to raise funds.

They also organised a team of volunteers in Frome to take collection boxes door-to-door annually and were well known locally for helping pet owners with RSPCA neutering vouchers which was a cause very close to her heart.

Myrtle inherited a love for gardening from her family and took great pleasure in her own garden, as well as visiting garden centres. She also regularly attended the Zion church in Frome. Myrtle is survived by her husband Ken.

Her funeral took place  on Monday 14th March at Wesley Church, which was followed by her burial at East Hill Cemetery.