Tributes to Trimley St Martin stalwart Beryl Merrett

Tributes have been paid to Beryl Merrett who lived for many years in Felixstowe and the surrounding villages.

Beryl will be remembered by all who knew her for her warm, welcoming presence, her generosity – and her dedication to helping others. 

Over the years, Beryl Merrett worked tirelessly for her community, throwing herself into church life, girl guiding and raising money for charity. 

“Mum never worked full-time, but she was always hard at work in her community,” said Beryl’s daughter, Stephanie Merrett. 

Beryl and her husband, John celebrated 60 years of marriage in October 2022. (Image: Beryl Merrett)

Beryl was originally from London, having been born in Catford, London, on February 25, 1934. She was the first child of parents Ada and Charles Sidery, and had one younger brother, Graham. 

The family later moved to Dartford where Beryl and Graham grew up.

It was here that Beryl met the man who was to become her husband of 60 years, John Merrett. The couple welcomed their first child, Stephanie in 1965, while Richard arrived two years later, completing the family of four. 

By this time, John had begun working at the Port of Felixstowe, commuting each day from Gravesend. So, he and Beryl made the decision to make their home in Suffolk, and moved to Thorpe Lane in Trimley St Martin, surrounded by fields and just a stone’s throw away from the River Orwell. 

Later, they moved to Kirton, which was how Beryl came to be a part of Trimley Methodist Church in Mill Lane.  

Beryl Merrett as a young woman, aged 18. (Image: Family of Beryl Merrett)

Faith was always very important to Beryl, and she became a huge part of church life, organising hunger lunches and cycle rides in support of Christian Aid, and helping to run the church Sunday School. 

When the chapel roof was destroyed in the gale of 1987, Beryl was among those to rally around the church. 

“Mum was one of the first on the scene,” said Stephanie. “She cycled down to have a look, and she was a big part of having it rebuilt.” Beryl and others in the congregation pulled together to raise funds, and the new, modern building was completed in 1989. 

Beryl was also the leader of the 1st Trimley Guides 1976 to 1988.  

Generations of girls in the village attended the group under Beryl’s guidance. Stephanie said that since her mother died, she has been inundated with messages from those who remember Beryl from their guiding days.  

She is fondly remembered by countless people in the community for her warm, kindly manner and endless patience.  

Beryl and John made their home in Suffolk after meeting in Dartford in Kent. (Image: Family of Beryl Merrett)

Beryl also helped to organise the floats as part of the Trimley carnival for many years. (Image: Family of Beryl Merrett)

“Mum had such a warm presence,” said Stephanie. “She always had a friendly smile and welcome for everyone – and a piece of cake.” 

Beryl was a keen baker, and many people will remember her for delicious fare she would make for church bake sales.  

“I would always be sent back to college with a cake in a tin,” remembered Stephanie. 

Beryl was also a talented knitter. She never made clothes, but loved to knit toys and dolls for children.  

Later, John retired from working at the docks, and he and Beryl moved to Haverhill, where John had begun working as an electrician maintaining the swimming pools at the leisure centre. 

However, they only stayed in Haverhill for a short time, and moved to Felixstowe just a few years later. 

In October last year, Beryl and John celebrated 60 years of marriage. They were among the first couples to receive a card of congratulations from the new King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort. 

Beryl Merrett died on January 25, 2023, aged 88.  

She is survived by her husband, John, her daughter Stephanie, her son Richard, and their partners, Stephanie’s husband Tim, Richard’s partner Angie, and Angie’s daughter, Lauren.