A family is remembering their husband, grandfather, and great-grandfather, an unflappable man who made his home in Ipswich – and brought maggot vending machines to our county’s fishermen. The iconic Mag-It machines will surely be familiar to fishing enthusiasts in Suffolk and beyond. These were the brainchild of Terence Read, an idea that stayed with him from his teen years until he was able to make his dream a reality.
Terry, as he was known to family and friend, wore many hats over the course of his life; from hairdressing to housebuilding to running his own business and raising his children, Terry did everything with passion and a smile on his face. Terry was born in Ilford on December 8, 1944, the first child of Harry and Florrie. Terry was their only boy, with two younger sisters, Joan and Rosemary.
Terry as a boy, with his big, cheeky smile. Image: Family of Terry Read (Image: Family of Terry Read) The children grew up in the east end, and Terry enjoyed being part of a vast extended family, helping his grandad push his cockles and eel barrow. Terry grew up in the East End, and remained proud of his cockney roots.
Image: Family of Terry Read (Image: Family of Terry Read) When Terry was a teenager, the family moved to Basildon where he attended Brynn’s Boys School. After school, Terry enrolled in a hairdressing course at Barratt Street College. He did not complete the course, but found an apprenticeship with Phillips Hair Fashions, where he proved popular with clien.
