Derek Mead, the well-known entrepreneur in the farming sector and businessman, passed away following what the family described as a tragic accident at their firm in Hewish. Enquiries are currently being made by the Health and Safety Executive. The family owns a variety of interests including the Puxton Park, the award winning attraction.
Among those who have paid tribute to Mead who passed away on 4th of June is the CEO of Visit Somerset, John Turner who spoke on behalf of the board of Visit Somerset and he described the news as shocking and saddening. He offered his condolences and said that their thoughts were with the Mead’s family during this time. According to Turner, Mead was remembered fondly both by him and by the team at Visit Somerset. He described the deceased as a person who was very much passionate about the leisure business and tourism and one who helped those in power to understand that the visitor economy was important to everyone.
He also talked about him being a successful farmer who encouraged people to eat and drink from local sources. He concluded by saying that Mead’s passing meant it was a dark day for tourism and farming in the Somerset area.
According to their website, the history of the Mead family farming in Somerset goes back close to 400 years. It was under Derek Mead’s leadership that the family farm grew from the small enterprise it was to a major brand in the sectors of agriculture and tourism that has brought many visitors to the area each year.
Another person who also paid his respects to the deceased was chief executive of the Bath and West Show, Rupert Cox, who stated that he was very sad to learn of the passing of Mead who was among the show’s sponsors. He described Mead as a person who had a very busy and active life and that his death was going to be a major blow to the farming community.
The North Somerset Council also paid tribute to Mead and they describe the sudden death as shocking to the council. They passed their condolences to the friends and family of the deceased as they described him as a person of great enthusiasm and energy and one who was always trying to do something to help the local economy grow.