A RIGOROUS Minehead historian has died at the age of 84 following a long cancer battle.

Daphne McCutcheon is succeeded by her husband Ian, her son Paul, her best friend Fay Atkins, and her dog Floki.

A businesswoman at heart, Mrs McCutcheon is well known for her eclectic endeavours, including her online archive of Minehead’s history, at Minehead Online, and the creation of her jewellery brand.

Having met her husband Ian working at the Clarks shoe factory during their mid-teens, the couple also established their own van removals business.

Ian recalls that over their 62 years of marriage, Daphne was also a keen painter as well as a pianist, although, he said “she’d never play in front of people.”

The two were also keen travellers, and spent 20 years, on-and-off, caravanning around Europe with their dog at the time.

Later on in their lives, Ian and Daphne both faced varying health issues, and the local historian’s good friend Fay spent much of her time caring for the couple, even moving in for the last two months of Daphne’s life.

Fay said: “We first met in 2015. Daphne had been doing her Minehead research for years. That’s how we got friendly, talking about local history.

“She and I just connected. In fact, we used to spend most of our time together. She was a lovely friend. She was the best friend someone could have really.”

For 12 months, Daphne tackled her cancer with chemotherapy and spent the last few weeks in hospital before her passing on June 10.

Isobel Waby, one of Daphne’s friends, shared: “This wonderful lady has left a great Legacy to West Somerset.

“She collated and wrote the history of Minehead and the surroundings areas. The work that she put into that alone deserved the highest accolade.

“She will be remembered in years to come.”