Friends of popular carnival stalwart Andrew ‘Big D’ White will pay their respects to him at his funeral on Tuesday, April 10th.
Mr White, a driver for Somerset Waste Partnership for the last ten years, was a familiar face in carnival circles in Burnham-On-Sea and Bridgwater was a prominent member of the Marketeers Carnival Club and previously Hillview Carnival Club in Burnham.
He died at the age of 46 in March and his funeral will be held at Sedgemoor Crematorium on Tuesday, April 10th.
A spokesman for Somerset Waste Partnership said: “Crews who worked alongside the late Andrew ‘Big D’ or ‘Big Derrick’ White for Somerset Waste Partnership recycling and rubbish collections contractor Kier will be paying their respects on Tuesday 10th April at Sedgemoor Crematorium.”
“Popular among his colleagues and those who knew him on the carnival circuit with the Marketeers club, Mr White died suddenly and unexpectedly in March, having worked on waste collections – most recently, recycling from schools – for around ten years.”
Phil New, Burnham-On-Sea Carnival Chairman, said: “A tragic loss to one so young. He was a gentle giant and will be badly missed, my thoughts are with family and friends. It was a privilege to have known him.”
Chris Hocking, Bridgwater Carnival’s co-ordinator, added: “Big D – or Big Derick to give him his full title – was the name Andrew White was best known by his friends in carnival, in particular by the members of Marketeers Carnival Club where he was a giant of a man, not just in stature but also in his huge commitment to the club. He was a gentle giant, full of fun and always ready to lend a hand wherever possible.”
“He was a character who you would instantly recognise and his familiar face on the carnival circuit will be sorely and sadly missed by the carnival community.”
Somerset Waste Partnership says that rubbish collection times in the Highbridge area may be affected on Tuesday due to staff attending the funeral.
