Somerset Standard - 09 April 1965

Three Generations Link Ended

The retirement of Mr. Wilfred George Carter, who has been licensee of the Victoria Inn, Paulton, for nearly 31 years, has ended a family association with the trade in Paulton which has concerned three generations.

On Wednesday Mr. Carter, who must hold the record for a wide range of public service in the village, and his wife, moved to a new home at Banwell near Weston-super-Mare and Mr. B. Hawkins, licensee of the nearby Rising Sun - which has recently been closed - became the new licensee of the Victoria.

Mr. Carter's late father, Reuben James Carter, held the licence of the now closed Britannia Inn for nearly 30 years and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Brook, were at the Winterfield Inn for a number of years. In addition. Mr. Carter had two sisters who were connected with the trade for some years.

There has also been a strong link with the farming industry, for Mr. Carter, like his late father, farmed in the village for many years until recently when the land was sold for housing development.

Joined choir at age of seven

A native of Paulton, Mr. Carter became a member of the Paulton Parish Choir at the age of seven and, although he is now 65, he has remained a member of the choir ever since. He has always been a devout worshipper there and has been a member of the parochial church council since soon after the end of the last war and during this period, apart from one year, he has carried out the duties of churchwarden.

He has also served the church for about ten years as delegate at the Wells Diocesan and Rural Decanal Conferences and on two occasions conducted services at the parish church when illness prevented the vicar officiating and when no other minister could be engaged.

Apart from a short break, Mr. Carter has been one of the Paulton representatives on Clutton Rural Council for 18 years and he has served on the parish council for a similar period.

Many acts of generosity

Many village organisations have benefited by his generosity. He supplied milk free of charge to every parish church organisation from 1927 until 1963. He allowed rooms for meetings and other events at no charge to many local organisations and there is little doubt that his services to the community will be greatly missed.

His interests have been varied. He served Paulton Rovers as their president for a number of years until about two years ago. In a similar capacity he has served Paulton Homing Society, to which he has rendered valuable service for very many years, and he has been president of the bowling club for 12 years.

Mr. Carter has also supported the work of the local branch of the British Legion as an honorary member and one of his proudest possessions is a branch certificate which was presented to him in appreciation of his services.

He is also interested in education and has been a member of the board of governors at the local secondary modern school.

Conveyed meals to aged

He has used his car to transport the older residents to various village functions and for the past 15 months he has supported the newly-introduced "Meals on Wheels" service sponsored by the W.V.S. He has conveyed hundreds of meals to the aged and sick without any thought of reward. It seems that Paulton will indeed be losing a friend, but Mr. Carter said this week: "I shall not be severing all my connections with the village. While I am happy to be retiring, I shall still be prepared to serve the parish in some directions and help whenever I can. When I am at Banwell, Paulton will still be in my heart and my greatest wrench is leaving the parish church which has been a valuable part of my life.

"I intend to continue my local district council work, for I have enjoyed it in spite of the criticism I have received from time to time. My conscience is clear, for I have never been associated with any political party and I have always tried to serve the public to the best of my ability without fear or favour."

Mr. Carter says he could not have done so much public work without the co-operation of his wife who, in her quiet way, has also endeared herself to the village.

Farewell Gifts from Darts Team

Popular "mine hosts" of the Victoria Inn, Paulton, Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Carter, who have retired to live in Banwell, pictured with Mr. Gordon Minall (centre) and Mr. Trevor Francis, who made farewell presentations to Mr. and Mrs. Carter on behalf of the Inn darts team.