A MEMORIAL bench and plaque have been installed at a popular Somerset tourist attraction in memory of its founder, who passed away earlier this year.

Popular businessman and founder of Puxton Park, Derek Mead, tragically died in June after suffering a heart attack after being crushed by his own tractor at The Laurels in Hewish.

After his death, staff at the park wanted to make sure the 70-year-old’s memory lived on for generations to come and banded together to pay for a memorial bench and plaque, which now reside in the attraction’s grounds.

Alistair Mead, son of Derek Mead and co-founder of the park, said the family were ‘truly humbled’ by the kindness of the staff and said it is a ‘beautiful memorial’.

“My family and I would like to thank everyone for their kindness and help we have received since the tragic accident,” Alistair said.

“Dad loved his businesses, colleagues and friends and I know he would love to sit out in the park on this lovely memorial area watching the world go by.”

Widely regarded as the ‘farmers champion’, former councillor Mr Mead was the chairman of the Mead Group, which runs the biggest auction centre in southern England as well as the Puxton Park family attraction. 

He made his fortune in dairy farming, breeding pigs, sheep and three dairy herds across 2,000 acres of land in Somerset alongside his son.  In 2010, the well-known businessman famously resigned from the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) in protest at what he said was its failure to support dairy farmers. 

He was also involved in the construction sector and local politics and in 2013 was elected as an independent to North Somerset Council. 

A spokesman for Puxton Park said a further tree-planting ceremony and plaque in Mr Mead’s memory will take place in the next few months.