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Lord Walpole, descendant of Britain’s first prime minister and Norfolk public figure – obituary
A modest and unassuming custodian of his estates, he served as a councillor and was actively involved in arts and community organisations
Lord Walpole outside Mannington Hall
Credit: Martin Pope
Lord Walpole, who has died aged 82, was a descendant of Britain’s first prime minister, a custodian of his family estates in Norfolk, and an active figure in public life in the county.
A charming, unassuming man who wore his hair in an extravagant ponytail and liked to be called “Robin”, he was born Robert Horatio Walpole on December 8 1938, the son of Robert Walpole, the 9th and 7th Baron Walpole (from two different creations) and Nancy, nee Jones.
Mannington Hall, 1988. Picture: Archant Library
- Credit: Archant Library
He also served on Norfolk County Council from 1970 to 1981, during which time his roles included that of chairman of the museums committee.
One of his Conservative colleagues for part of that period was Baroness Shephard, later to become South West Norfolk MP.
Paying tribute, she said: He was not obliged to take a role in public life, but he did so. I admired him greatly and we have lost someone who did a great deal for Norfolk. He was absolutely full of humour and fun and he always saw the comic side of local government and he was much-loved by me for that.