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A friend and work colleague died suddenly last Friday

I’m not really sure this is the sort of stuff I should write about but I suppose the blog is supposed to give you an insight into what we do at Adnams, usually we use it to shine a light on the good stuff, how great the beer is, what seasonal is next and some good old fashioned waffle. But occasionally we have our bad days, when reality puts it all into context, when something more important happens. Friday was one of those days.

Robert Palmer worked at Adnams since he was 17 years old. Back then we had a farm and he started there. He then moved to the Brewery and worked here for the past 19 years. For many years now he has been the team leader on the cask filling line. He made sure we had enough casks to fill, that the racker was cleaned and maintained properly, that the beer was ready to go out, that the paperwork was all in order for Customs and Excise as well as managing the rest of the racking team. If you’ve ever drank a pint of Adnams in the pub it’s likely that Robert kicked the cask it came from.

He did a great job, I could always count on him to look after racking the beer and he wouldn’t leave until it was done. He was Suffolk and Southwold through and through, apart from a touch of a Spaniard in his looks, which he claims to have come from the Spanish Armada.

You always knew when winter had arrived because Robert would only have four buttons of his shirt undone rather than the usual five.

It’s fair to say that he was a character but more importantly he had character. He was opinionated but annoyingly was right enough times to make his opinion worth listening too.

He loved being self reliant and his dream, was to run a small farm. When he wasn’t here he was fishing or working on his allotment or at the Horse-racing or watching Emmerdale.

He will be greatly missed but not forgotten.
Goodbye Robert.

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  • Harvey Gould (Murphy&Son)

    Rob was a real character and will be sadly missed by the drivers from Murphy & Son who had the pleasure of dealing with him. His humour was infectious, and he was always warm and welcoming, from the first ‘alright my Darling’! We were shocked to hear of his sudden departure, and our condolences go to his family and friends.
    Rest In Peace Rob, Harvey, Tony, Paul, Alan, and Ken

  • Harvey Gould (Murphy&Son)

    Rob was a great charecter and will be sadly missed by all the drivers from Murphy & Son who had the pleasure of dealing with him. His humour was infectious, and he was always warm and welcoming from the first ‘Alright my Darling’! We were all shocked to hear of his death, and send our condolences to his family.
    Rest In Peace Rob,
    Harvey, Tony, Paul, Al, and Ken

  • Corrine

    On returning from annual leave I was shocked to hear of the sad loss of Robert. It is a difficult time for Robert’s family and this extends to his working family at Adnams. Although I didn’t know Robert, my thoughts are with you all and I am sure that Robert has inspired each and every one of you at some point in his life. As you so rightly say, he is gone but never forgotten.

  • Mark Stedman

    It was a shock to hear about the loss of Robert I had the privilige of working with robert for many years and only saw him a few months ago. Robert was always a happy character and I know will be sadly missed. RIP Bob you will be sorely missed.

  • Susie

    It was lovely to read. A huge part of Roberts life was spent at Adnams so to put him into the newsletter is a wonderful tribute. He sure was a character and was loved by so many people xx

  • http://www.peopleenergies.com Richard Morrice

    Of course you are right to share this with us. People are an important part of business life and when we lose them it casts a cloud over us all. I didn’t know Robert but you have shared some of the essence of him and we are the richer for it.
    Keep up the good work and honour your friends.
    Richard

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