August 1, 2005
Funeral held for pioneering Burnham-On-Sea policeman

The funeral of Bernard Doolan, a Neighbourhood Watch pioneer and former community police officer from Burnham, was held on Monday August 1st.

Mr Doolan, 59, died after collapsing at Burnham's swimming pool last week. Staff found him in a changing room and tried to resuscitate him. He was taken by ambulance to Weston General Hospital.

Friends paid tribute to his love of "grassroots policing" which led to his own brand of Neighbourhood Watch to be copied around the world.

Mr Doolan, who previously lived at Love Lane before moving to Brent Knoll, was a manager with Clarks, the shoe manufacturer, at Street before joining Avon and Somerset Constabulary over 30 years ago. He retired from the force six years ago.

He is survived by his wife, Judy, and three children, Ami, Gyles and Sebastian.

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Avon and Somerset Constabulary