ONE of the borough's most outspoken and colourful residents has died after a highly eventful life.

Peter Cadbury, grandson of the founder of the chocolate empire bearing his surname, was 88.

Mr Cadbury, who lived in Upton Grey, was involved in the establishment of Tyne Tees Television and later founded Westward Television.

He had an early career as a test pilot during the Second World War and was a barrister at the Nuremberg war crimes trials, before turning to commerce.

Although he did not enter the family business, he worked for the George Cadbury Fund, a Quaker charitable foundation that has donated to St Michael's Hospice and the North Hampshire Medical Fund in the past.

The famously-frank Mr Cadbury leaves his wife, Janie, five children and six grandchildren.

He and Mrs Cadbury - his third wife - married in July 1976 after meeting at a dinner party in London. They moved to Upton Grey in 1993 and he was well known in the village, regularly seen walking his Great Danes until recent years. His dogs and his parrot were among his great loves.

Following a knee replacement in 2003, he suffered a severe post-operative stroke and was unable to walk.

Mrs Cadbury, 65, said: "He had always been as fit as a fiddle but, since December 2003, he was totally disabled.

"It was tragic because he was such a fun-loving outdoor man.

"But he never complained - he was tremendously courageous and he was a pleasure to look after in the later years. It will be very lonely without him."

Mrs Cadbury added: "Peter could be difficult but he was very good to his friends. He called a spade a spade and was very honest and forthright with his views.

"He did not mind having a good fight with people over something he believed in."

Mr Cadbury attracted much attention for his colourful personal life and for the boardroom rows in his successful business career.

He also battled with neighbours in Upton Grey - once over the use of automatic bird scarers and again over manure spreading.

His north Hampshire home was burgled three times and he famously declared he would "shoot an intruder without hesitation - shoot first, ask questions afterwards".

He told The Gazette in 2000: "A burglar stole my wife's jewellery and he also stole the gun I keep by my bed, but I still have a crossbow, so I would use that."

Mr Cadbury had two children, Felicity and Justin, with his first wife Benedicta Bruce, one son, Joel, with his second wife Jennifer Morgan-Jones, and two sons, George and James, with Janie Cadbury.

Mr Cadbury died at his home on Easter Monday and was cremated at Basingstoke Crematorium on Monday, April 24. All donations are being given to the World Parrot Trust, honouring Mr Cadbury's wishes.

His ashes will be buried where his parents are laid to rest in Bristol and his family is planning a service of thanksgiving in his memory to take place in June.

First published: Thursday, April 27, 2006