ILMINSTER NEWS: Pete hangs up his apron strings after lifetime’s work as a butcher

A FAMILIAR face will be missing from Bonners the butchers in Ilminster in the New Year.

Pete Hedges, who is 84, has hung up his apron strings after 19 years as a butcher at Bonners and a lifetime in the business.

Pete, who lives in Bincombe Drive, Crewkerne, first started as a ten-year-old butcher working in his father’s shop in Bristol. He opened his own shop in the early 1950s but then gave up to work with local authorities in environmental health and meat hygiene inspection services.

He retired at 65 but Clinton Bonner, proprietor, said: “Pete’s wife Mary dropped into the shop one day and asked if I could give Pete a few hours work because he was getting bored in his retirement.

“I gave him a piece of beef to bone out and even though he had not done that for 35 years it was perfect and he started immediately.

"Right up until his last day before Christmas he always did his fair share and pulled his weight. He was not there just to make up the numbers and was a very loyal employee until he stepped down. We will miss Pete and his dry sense of humour and our customers will also miss him.”

Pete said: “I will take away a great many special memories. I was able to forge many special relationships with customers and enjoyed working as part of an excellent team.”

Pete originally worked from 6.30am five days a week and more recently from 5.30am on Thursdays and Fridays.

Mr Bonner, whose mother Palma lives next to the Silver Street shop, added: “Pete was always grateful because my mother would always bring him a cup of tea at 5.30am - something she has never done for me!”

PHOTO – TOP: Clinton Bonner is pictured handing Mr Hedges gift vouchers following his retirement at Christmas. Pictured (from left) Pauline Bonner, Amy Rose, Paula Rymall, Clinton Bonner, Peter Hedges, Michael Harris (in archway Jack Watson).

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