Much-loved Worlington and Mildenhall community figure Peter Merrick will be 'sorely missed by all who knew him'

A much-loved village resident, former parish council chairman and museum president has died, aged 89.

Peter Merrick died on May 19 at West Suffolk Hospital after many weeks of illness.

Born in Sherborne, Dorset, he became a Suffolk resident during the 1960s and lived in Worlington, for 39 years.

Known throughout the community, he held many roles aside from running his own meat wholesale business, including chair of Worlington Parish Council, volunteer, chair and president of Mildenhall Museum, member of Mildenhall Rotary and Probus, chair of the local Conservative Party and supporter of the children’s charity, Action Medical Research.

In his early life in Devon, Mr Merrick managed pedigree herds of Large White and Wessex Saddleback pigs. He then moved to Bury St Edmunds where he became advisor for the Pig Industry Development Authority.

He later co-founded his own wholesale business, buying a site in Linton, near Cambridge. As the company grew, it bought facilities throughout the country, including Bury St Edmunds, supplying supermarkets and London’s Smithfield Market. The company diversified and imported fresh lamb from New Zealand.

In retirement, Mr Merrick became ever more involved in Worlington village life and Mildenhall Museum where he helped secure a Lottery grant, allowing refurbishment. He was also a keen member of Mildenhall’s Rotary Club and Probus and organised countless fundraising functions.

He also helped wife, Julie, who ran the Mildenhall branch of Action Medical Research for many years.

Mr Merrick’s passion, shared by his two sons, Chris and Oliver, was Lagonda Rapier cars and for 25 years he acted as the unpaid spares registrar for the car’s fan club. Wife Julie describes him as having an ‘infectious laugh, kind, generous, humorous, enthusiastic with a can do attitude’.

Stephanie Palmer, chair of the trustees of Mildenhall Museum, said: “Peter was made chairman, which he fulfilled until ill health forced him to retire, and he was made president.

"The society has raised many thousands of pounds over the years with annual supper talks, quiz nights, garden parties, hog roasts and also provided a programme of talks and visits.

“He was always a ‘doer’. The most time consuming project was the recent redevelopment, following the application to the Lottery Fund for grant aid. His powers of persuasion came into force and he gained us a volunteer project manager and project treasurer.

“Another of his strengths was his enthusiasm for communicating with young people. When we had school groups he could engage the interest of even the most truculent teenage boy. He was an all-rounder with an infectious laugh and zest for life. He will be sorely missed.”

Ken Lucas, vice chair of Worlington Parish Council, said: “He was was always interested in the village and always very supportive. If anything was happening, he would go to it. He was a joyful chap and would speak to everyone. He was a good ‘ole boy, and will be missed by the whole village.”

Mr Merrick leaves behind wife Julie, sons Chris and Oliver, grandchildren Eddie and Amelia and stepdaughter, Paula. A service will be held at All Saints Church, Worlington, on June 9 with donations to Samaritans of Bury St Edmunds and West Suffolk.