ON Saturday, 1 March 2025, family, friends, and colleagues gathered at Pets’ Corner in Harlow Town Park to honour the life and legacy of Bill Weston, a devoted volunteer who dedicated more than 40 years to the popular visitor attraction.

The event, attended by around 45 close family members – including Bill’s daughter Tracey, son Robert, grandsons Beau and Ike, and great-grandson Edward – along with friends, former work colleagues, and past and present Pets’ Corner staff, marked the unveiling of a memorial plaque in Bill’s name on what would have been his 87th birthday.

Bill, who passed away in August 2024, made Harlow his home in 1960 and had lived in Fold Croft since 1967.

Bill’s eldest son, Dean, delivered a heartfelt speech before unveiling the plaque, reflecting on his father’s enduring connection to Pets’ Corner, which began long before his volunteer work.

He shared stories of Bill’s deep love for rare breed farm animals, his passion for passing on knowledge, and the friendships he built over decades.

Speaking after the unveiling, Dean said: “Dad never sought recognition for everything he gave to Pets’ Corner – he just loved being here, surrounded by the animals, the people, and the work he believed in.

But as a family, it means so much to see his dedication acknowledged in this way. This plaque is a lasting reminder of the years he spent here, the friendships he built, and the passion he had for rare breed animals.

“We’re grateful to everyone who came today to share their memories of him, and we take comfort in knowing that his presence will always be felt at Pets’ Corner – not just in this plaque but in the work that continues and the people who carry it forward.”

Justin Hopwood, former Pets’ Corner Manager and Harlow Council’s Community Leisure and Cultural Services Manager, also paid tribute to Bill’s unwavering dedication and contributions to the attraction, highlighting the impact he had on both the site and those who worked alongside him:

“Bill was not just a stalwart volunteer and a true friend of Pets’ Corner – he was also a great support to me as Manager. We had many conversations and shared a passion for all things agricultural, both past and present, with Bill often showcasing bygone artefacts at our open days.

It’s dedicated volunteers like Bill, along with staff, who have helped shape Pets’ Corner into what it is today. He is sorely missed but will never be forgotten.”

After the unveiling, guests gathered in the Learning Centre to enjoy light refreshments and watch a poignant video tribute to Bill’s life. The film included rare cine footage from 1967showing him at Pets’ Corner before he became a volunteer, as well as clips of him working

as a Harlow Council Park Warden in 1974 and photographs capturing his many years of dedication to the site.

Fittingly, Bill’s plaque is displayed on one of the pig pens – paying tribute to his lifelong fondness for pigs. For years, he sponsored two of Pets’ Corner’s most beloved former residents, Emily and Rita.

Dean Weston concluded: “It was a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much of himself to Pets’ Corner – his time, his knowledge, and, most of all, his love for this place and the people in it. As a family, we take comfort in knowing that his legacy will live on here, in the animals he cared for, the friendships he made, and the many lives he touched.”