The SUDBURY SOCIETY

Caring for the Past and the Future

Visions '09 - Terry Patrick - 'White Van Man - with a difference'

One of the exhibits at Visions of Sudbury 09 (13 -18 October) was this large, striking painting entitled Market Van by J.S.B. Hawkins depicting the familiar sight of the white van belonging to market trader, Terry Patrick, who trades under the name of Torcross Wholefoods.

(Painting at Visions '09 with chairperson Sally Freer)

“It was all a bit of a surprise,” admitted Terry. “I was very touched that someone should want to paint me and my van. People keep coming and asking me if I’ve seen the picture.”

Terry began his market trading selling eggs from home-reared hens – which he still does – but expanded when he joined forces, “almost by accident,” he said, “with a wholefood business specialising in spices.”

Terry retired at the end of October 2009 but his van will still be a part of Sudbury market for his colleague, Jane Felton, will take over from him. Terry has been something of a landmark in Sudbury’s market for the past 35 years – and so surely must be up there with the best of them through the generations of traders who have sold their wares on Market Hill during Sudbury’s thousand year-old market.

The market will continue, the white van will still be there – but Terry will be greatly missed.

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