Evening Post Wed April 11^th 1973

The Vicar of Cheddar, the Rev. Ronald Denman, will be flying to Switzerland tonight. Five members of his Mums’ Night Out Club are feared dead, leaving a total of 12 children motherless. His wife, Mrs. Jean Denman said today: “I should have been on that plane.” Mrs. Denman booked to go on the trip, but had to cry off when the flight was postponed until yes terday. 

Tonight a big Confirmation service the reason for Mrs. Denman’s cancellation will take place in Cheddar parish church as planned. “Cheddar is hit very badly,” said Mrs. Denman. “It will take a long time to get over this.” Mrs. Denman believes that at least 21 Cheddar women are on the death roll. Only three Cheddar people have survived as far as they know. “I have been on the telephone and door answering the for many hours,” said Mrs. Denman. “My husband is visiting relatives of those on board the plane. “There have been no end to offers of help, but so far as I can see, there is nothing people can do.” 

Mr. Gerald Robertson, manager of the Caves which have helped to make Cheddar famous, is believed to be among the dead.  Mr. Robertson had friends in Switzerland and, it is understood, he was taking advantage of the locally organised trip to visit them. Cheddar businessman Mr: Kenneth Lane flew out to Switzerland today. There was no news of his wife Hazel. Cheddar, like Axbridge, is a village in shock. Villagers stand in gloomy groups discussing the tragedy.