Hedley Cullimore

Today is the funeral of a fellow stall holder at Hatherell`s Yard Market. Sadly we lost Hedley Cullimore in December.
Hedley was a wonderful character, willing to help anyoe. Always a cheery word and smile. He will be very much missed.

TRIBUTES have poured in for a beloved market stall owner in Chipping Sodbury after he passed away just before New Year, aged 71.

Hedley Collimore, who was well known in the community for his antiques stall in Hatherell’s Yard Market, died from a heart attack in the early hours of Thursday, December 29.

He had run the weekend stall at the market for the past two years, also making popular appearances as Father Christmas in the grotto there.He also dabbled in other businesses including owning a hotel in Bournemouth and even jumping in front of the camera with extra work in shows like Casualty.
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A service for Hedley will take place at Westerleigh Crematorium on January 18 at 12.30pm, followed by a gathering at the Codrington Arms to celebrate his life.

“He was such a special guy,” said Lianne Abbott, owner of Hatherell’s Yard. “Always friendly and great to be around. We loved him, shop owners and shoppers alike.

“I think to him the stall was more social than business – he was always there to chat away with us, would be involved with fancy dress, and was a fantastic Father Christmas for the past two years.

“It will be really weird going back without him there. He was very much part of the yard and will be greatly missed.”

Following the announcement of his passing, many of his colleagues and customers took to social media to pay their respects, with tributes flooding in to the Hatherall’s Yard Facebook page.

Fellow market stall owner Katie Custard said: “What awful news, he was such a charming and excellent person.

“I used to look forward to seeing him for a gossip and a laugh every time I visited the market with my stall. He will be greatly missed.”

Boulton Spirit said: “I’m so terribly saddened and shocked by this. Lovely genuine and offbeat gentleman. We had such laughs every time I was at the market.

“Hedley, you will be so very greatly missed. I will raise a glass to you, lovely man.”

Describing Hedley as “a lovely man,” Geraldine Miller said: “Santa’s grotto won’t be the same without you.”

Richard Bennett paid tribute to “a really nice bloke”, adding that he would “miss his banter and all his innuendos about my plums! Rest easy old friend!”

Both Jon and myself, will miss Hedley, he was always there with advice, stories and a cheeky smile