New man will take over fish supply (From Gazette Series)

New man will take over fish supply

A NEW face is set to take over the supply of fresh fish to towns and villages in the Dursley district after the tragic accident that killed one member of the father and son partnership who previously served the community.

Jeff Kirwin, who runs Jeff's Fresh Grimsby Fish, is set to take over the rounds of fish merchants Ray Hilldrith and his son Andrew.

Andrew was killed when their van was involved in a head-on smash on the A46 near Stratford-On-Avon last month.

Ray was due to be released from hospital earlier this week with a broken collarbone, but at 69 years old has decided to draw his working life to a close.

Mr Kirwin knew both men for 25 years, dating back to when he worked on the Grimsby trawlers and Ray worked on the docks.

He said: "I aim to carry on from where they left off. I intend to sell my fish at the same place and same time as Ray and Andrew did in Dursley, Wotton and Berkeley.

"I also want to do the same kind of door to door deliveries that they did, so if anyone wants me to come to them they can get in touch with me."

Mr Kirwin, who has also worked as a singer in the Canary Islands, actually delivered fish around the area nine years ago and helped set up Ray and Andrew in the area.

More recently he has been delivering across the South West and is going to work his current schedule around his new duties.

He will start his rounds in the Dursley area from Wednesday, January 21.

The funeral of Andrew Hilldrith took place in Grimsby on December 23. His mother Rita has said that she will try to reply to all the cards and letters of condolence that she has received.

Wildwood Flowers in Parsonage Street, Dursley, has started a collection in aid of Mrs Hilldrith's chosen cancer charity.

If you would like to donate money to the charity collection you can call into the shop at any time.

* Anyone wishing to have Mr Kirwin deliver to them can contact him on 07970 177943 or 01793 538531.