Norfolk woman appeals to former school colleagues after asbestos cancer diagnosis

Judith “Judy” Boughtflower, 76, is a wife and mother of two who lives in Litcham , Norfolk. She volunteered and worked as a special education assistant at Great Ellingham School in Attleborough from 1978 to 1997.

There is no suggestion Great Ellingham Primary School currently poses any asbestos-related risk to pupils, staff or visitors.

Judy recalls maintenance work taking place in the school's main hall during her time there. She remembers asbestos water tanks being brought down from the loft and ceiling tiles being removed to allow access to the roof space. She said the work created dust in the hall and that, on occasion, teachers had to clean it up.

She also recalls working in demountable classrooms where repair work was carried out to cladding on internal walls. Judy remembers vinyl linoleum flooring being frequently pulled up due to wear and tear.

Leigh Day is now keen to hear from anyone who worked at Great Ellingham School between 1978 and 1997 and may have information about the conditions at the site during that period.

Following her time at Great Ellingham School, Judy went on to work for:

• British National Life Insurance Society in London - 1965/66 to 1969/70
• M E Rutty Underwriting Agency Ltd in London - 1969/70 to 1972/73
• Tey Pottery in Banham, Norfolk - 1990s
• Age Concern / Age Cymru Ceredigion in Aberystwyth - 2001/02 to 2015/16

Anyone who worked with Judy during these periods is also being urged to come forward.

In May 2026, Judy began experiencing symptoms like tiredness and lethargy. Weeks later, in June 2026, she was diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Judy has instructed Andrew Cooper from the asbestos team at law firm Leigh Day to investigate how she may have been exposed to asbestos.

Andrew Cooper, a solicitor in Leigh Day's asbestos team, said:

"Judy's mesothelioma diagnosis has come as a devastating shock to her and her family.

“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who worked at Great Ellingham School between 1978 and 1997 and may remember maintenance or repair work taking place in the main hall or the demountable classrooms.

“Even the smallest detail about the building, repair works, materials used or the conditions at the school could prove important in helping us understand how Judy may have been exposed to asbestos.”

If you can provide information that may help Leigh Day in its investigation, please email acooper@leighday.co.uk or call 020 3780 0430.