- Mr Thorpe had welcomed thousands of visitors to Chesterfield along with Ben the horse
By Daily Mail Reporter
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A cancer-suffering trader had his final wish fulfilled when his much-loved market horse visited him at hospital before he died.
Thomas Thorpe, 74, was well-known in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, as the man who welcomed visitors to to the town along with Ben the horse.
Mr Thorpe was diagnosed with a brain tumour in January this year passed away at Clay Cross Hospital last Thursday morning.
Thomas Thorpe, 74, was visited by his shire horse Ben
However, before he died, he was able to see his beloved friend one final time.
Donna Clark - the wife of Mr Thorpe's nephew and owner of the market horses - said: 'He loved it. He was overwhelmed.
'We are going to miss him terribly, but we are just relieved that he is no longer suffering.
'He loved those horses so much. He was always out wanting to spent time with them. He loved being on the market, with Ben and the other horse Sam.'
Mr Thorpe, who was known as Sonny to his friends, started working with the market horses in Chesterfield six years ago, and stayed in the role until falling ill.
One of his last wishes was to see his beloved horses before he died, which was granted him by members of staff at Clay Cross Hospital.
Ward manager Rita Snowdon, said: 'Our patient's family enquired if they could bring Ben to see his owner one last time at the hospital. After negotiations and planning we managed to pull off the special visit.'
The shire horses were introduced to the market over 30 years ago, and the driver was employed to assist with waste collection in the town although for health and safety reasons this no longer happens.
There was controversy in the town earlier this year, when the local council moved to retire the much-loved tourist attraction, sparking outrage.
Fans have this week paid their respects to Sonny. One, Dean Hallsworth, said: 'R.I.P town won't be the same without the horse and cart'.
Julie Rushby, added: 'Sonny you were a legend. God bless you old friend.'
Mr Thorpe's funeral t ook place today.
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With the guy dieing his much loved horse will be glue soon sadly, RIP
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It's so great that they managed to do this for Mr Thorpe. What a good man. I absolutely love these horses, they are just beautiful. I would love gve a home to some, but alas, I cannot!
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I agree with the gesture...but can they do one thing! move the horse out of the way of what looks like the main entrance!?
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What a nice gesture from the hospital RIP Thomas Thorpe you seem a great character
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Beautiful, well done to all involved in making this happen :)
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While I'm sorry of the death of Mr Thorpe, this article has made me curious. What is a market horse? Does being on the market mean something there that it doesn't mean here?
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Utter fool. Just pass away with some dignity - Craig, Derby, 06/7/2012 15:44 .. What a nasty and mean person you are Craig. I hope that you never find yourself in the same position. Mind you, with that attitude I am sure that you have no beloved pet whom you would want to see one last time. Maybe even no people either.
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How nice that this chap got his last wish.
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A wonderful thing to do, if only there was more compassion in this world it would be a better place. R.I.P. Mr Thorpe its obvious your community wont forget you, and that's the best epitaph ever.
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Well done Clay Cross Hospital. What a beautiful horse. I hope he has a long and happy retirement.
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