WELLINGTON’S only freeman of the town, Richard Fox, has died peacefully in hospital, after a short illness.

Richard was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, almost three weeks ago after collapsing at home and did not recover.

He died on Boxing Day evening with family at his bedside.

Richard was the fifth and last generation of his line of the Thomas Fox family which owned the former Tonedale Mill in the 18th and 19th centuries.

He was involved in a huge number of community organisations and gave his time voluntarily to benefit the town over many decades.

The Fox family gave Wellington its award-winning park and founded the town’s rugby club, both of which Richard was heavily involved in helping, along with the community centre and local museum.

His family had hoped to care for him in a nursing home for his final days but his condition deteriorated rapidly and he died before he could be moved.

Wellington Mayor Cllr Marcus Barr was among those paying tribute to him on Wednesday.

Cllr Barr said: “Richard was one of the last great gentlemen of Wellington.

“He was a legend in the town, the salt of the earth, who would do anything to help anybody if he could.

“So many people knew Richard and as a community we owed him so much.

“Richard had the freedom of Wellington, now he has the freedom of Heaven.”