Meadow Quality have announced the death of Colin Wooldridge, a well-known and respected character in the pig industry.
Colin passed away on March 1 after enduring a long illness. Always a ‘larger than life’ character – literally and figuratively speaking, he began his long career in the industry running several large pig finishing sites for GA Richards (Wildmoor), who were one of the early pioneers of specialist by-product feeding.
In late 1988, Colin joined Dalgety Agriculture as a livestock specialist, where he remained until 1999, when the Dalgety business was acquired by ABN. Shortly after, Colin became a member of the Meadow Quality pig marketing team – where his expertise and passion for pig grading performance analysis could be fully utilised in a business that was committed to the finest customer service and maximising member returns.
During his time with Meadow Quality, Colin earnt tremendous respect for not only his carcase data analysis skills, but also for the development of computer programmes that were unique in being so ‘farm friendly’ and providing very down to earth practical advice.
Sadly, following a serious fall at home, Colin retired in 2007. However, despite his subsequently reduced mobility, Colin embraced retirement and he enjoyed spending more time with his grand-children and family, he also focused on his other lifelong passions – photography and water-colour painting. It might come as a surprise to many that the ‘loud, larger than life Black Country boy’ should have such an artistic streak, but he clearly had a huge talent judging by many of his pictures.
He was also very proud of his Black Country roots and provided a great many old photographs and anecdotes of his home town, Lye, and during his retirement, worked on a number of published books with local historians.
But most of all – he was a big man, with a big heart that brought knowledge, humour and passion; in equal measure to the pig industry that he loved.
His cremation service will take place at 2.10pm on Tuesday, March 21, at Stourbridge crematorium, South Road, Stourbridge. DY8 3RQ. (Public parking is adjacent).
Our thoughts are with his wife Chris and the family at this sad time.
