PEOPLE in Pewsey are mourning the death of ‘Mr Carnival’, Peter Drinnan, who died yesterday, aged 89.

The much-respected great-grandfather, of Aston Close, poured his heart and soul into the community and has helped organise the village carnival since the 60s, as well as being a driving force behind the new Bouverie Hall in the late 70s.

He died in the Great Western Hospital in Swindon after suffering from pneumonia, with his son Malcolm by his side.

His death comes less than two weeks after the latest spectacular carnival procession rolled down the streets, which he watched in delight with his wife of more than 60 years Esme, aged 84.

Mr Drinnan’s dedication to the community saw him serve as chairman of the carnival committee for nearly 30 years and president for 20 years, before retiring to become vice president with Mrs Drinnan.

He was devoted to Pewsey and, knowing his health was failing, had recently made a last poignant tour of the village.

“He did so much for Pewsey,” said his grandson Jon Veale, 34, of Jefferies Close, Marlborough. “He gave all of his time to the community and he really cared about all generations and was very much for the younger people.

“He was a well-liked and respected man and the community was a massive thing for him. He loved his family and had really strong family values and taught us the important things in life.”

Mr Drinnan was born in Burbage in 1926 and left school aged 14 to work for grocery business McAlden’s as a delivery boy. He then joined the Auxiliary Fire Service in Marlborough in 1943 and a year later joined the First Royal Dragoons before leaving in 1952.

He married Mrs Drinnan (nee Lovelock) and moved to Pewsey aged 26, where he ran a family business with his Irish father, who was known as ‘Snowy’. Mr Drinnan earned the nickname ‘Tar’ because Tarmac was among the products the firm supplied.

He was also a parish councillor for 28 years, chairman of the Bouverie Hall committee for 18 years, a cricketer at Milton Lilbourne and a keen member of the village bowls club, which he joined in the 1950s.

Richard Giles, 71, of Charlton St Peter, has known Mr Drinnan for more than 50 years. He said: “He was a tremendous character and always had a twinkle in his eye.

“It was easy to make Peter laugh and he was always enjoying himself and never looked at the dark side of things. If you wanted something doing you got people like Pete involved.

“He made the most of things and we have lots of happy memories.”

He leaves Esme, his children Malcolm, 57, and Christine, 62, grandchildren Jon, Rachel and Emma, and great-grandchildren Esme, three, Mollie, two, and Zara, eight months.