The Museum is very sad to announce the death of Remus, its Suffolk Punch and thought to be the oldest in the world. Remus was brought to the museum as a one-year old in 1980 and on April 27th celebrated his 28th birthday.

Museum director Tony Butler says, "Remus will be sadly missed not just by staff but by generations of Stowmarket children who have grown up recognising him as a symbol of the museum. In his prime Remus was the museum's working horse and was used for harrowing, logging and cart rides for the public. For the last seven years he has enjoyed a well earned retirement."

Remus will be cremated and his ashes interred upon the museum site.

Here are some tributes we have received

“Regards to all at the museum. I am a local Morris Man and my side, East Suffolk Morris Men, have performed at the museum over the past few years, in addition my wife, Rhen, came and gave Remus Reiki therapy on one occasion. We only had the chance to meet Remus very briefly but were impressed by his stature and character, a magnificent beast. He was obviously more than a museum resident, more one of the family and we would like to pass on our commiserations to you, especially those who worked close to him. All the best “. Adam and Rhen Garland

“I was so sorry to hear that Remus had passed on. He was only four or five when I came to work at the Museum under Rob Shorland-Ball in 1985 and Remus was a main-stay of the establishment then. I seem to remember badges stating that, "I have seen Remus at The Museum of East Anglian Life"! How often did one hear him kicking his stable door when he wanted to get out and do something else. Poor old lad! I think he was a bit frustrated in those early years and spent some time at a equestrian psychiatrist to make him more amenable. Sometimes he was a bit reluctant to get between the shafts and I remember one other occasion when he was on the field outside Boby at a schools day when he was stung by something nasty and he took off like a rocket down the hill towards the river only to be brought up short by the wire stays of an electric pole near the wind pump. Could have been a lot nastier, but all was well in the end.  My condolences.” Mike Marsh. The Wood Turner 1985 - 1992

“Sad, indeed, though increasingly to be expected but he had a good and a full life and I have very happy memories of him. I think he contributed much to the earlier years of MEAL. With financial help from the MEAL Friends, I obtained him for the Museum and enjoyed helping to look after him. Giving him a night-time haybag in his original loose-box stable was a privileged experience, especially when I had learned that 1 ton of heavy horse gently leaning against me was easily discouraged by a punch in the neck that would have floored a human but, as the vet confirmed, simply caused Remus to move away! Many folk have happy memories of Remus and I hope that the publicity arising from his death will help your cause to improve and enhance the Museum. Should you require a valedictory address recalling Remus I would be happy to oblige!

Best wishes “ Rob Shorland-Ball former director of Meal

“Just a few lines to say how sorry we are to hear about Remus. We have recently been collecting newspaper cuttings about his landmark birthday for the SLHG Scrapbook, then the next one was this sad news. He was a dear old thing and never, ever bit me when I regularly fed him with carrots. I (Sue) remember riding him bareback one Boxing Day, with Robert in attendance, thinking no-one saw me, but I got a real telling-off when I got back to work!!”
Sue and Steve Williams (who run the Stowmarket Local History Group)

“So very sad to hear the news about Remus – he certainly had his likes and dislikes, including some people! I remember when Jim Lovejoy used to look after him and would take him around the town for a change of scene – it used to take ages because everybody wanted to talk to Remus.  He even went to Tesco’s!  When I used to say where I worked, people would often ask after Remus – he really was the symbol of the Museum and will be missed by so many.”
Pat Davis, Museum Secretary 1989-2004.

Kind regards to all at the Museum.  So sad to hear the news about Remus.  I was on a training programme at the Museum between 1989 and 1990 and Remus became a good friend of mine.  I remember helping Robert look after him, feeding him and mucking out on occasions,  When Robert was not in and I had gained his trust, I was allowed to take Remus from the stable to the field in the morning when I arrived and return him to the stable before leaving off.  I found him kind and gentle and he was happy to let me walk him around.  I recall one day he was happy to go to the field but stubbornly refused to be taken back later so had to stay there until the next day.  When I passed the stable and saw him looking over the door I often stopped and had a few words with him and he seemed to understand what I said and was always happy to see me.     R.I.P. Remus.  You may be gone but you will never be forgotten...  xxx

David Lyas  Conservation Trainee, Suffolk Employment Training.  1989-90.