A VICTORIAN benefactor whose contributions to Malvern life can still be felt today was commemorated with a plaque by Malvern Civic Society on Friday (May 23).

Charles William Dyson Perrins (1864-1958) lived at Davenham House, Graham Road, before donating the building to Friends of the Elderly.

The son of James Dyson Perrins, founder of Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce, C.W.Dyson Perrins provided Malvern with its community hospital, public library and Rose Bank Gardens.

President of Malvern Civic Society, George Chesterton, called Mr Dyson Perrins "the most amazing benefactor to this town".

He continued: "He was amazingly generous and self effacing. He did not want people to know of his great generosity."

Visitors gathered at the unveiling of the plaque, on the gate outside Davenham House, before retiring to the building for refreshments.

The cord was pulled by Mr Dyson Perrins' great-grandson and former High Sheriff of Worcestershire, Andrew Perrins, who described his memories of meeting his great-grandfather at the age of 10.

He said: "He was a very modest, self-effacing man and he would have been slightly bemused by the fuss.

"Everything he did for Malvern and Worcester he did because he wanted to do it."

Malvern now boasts five blue plaques commemorating Dyson Perrins, Dr A.P.Rowe, Dr Hastings, C.S.Lewis and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Mr Chesterton said there were no immediate plans for a visitors trail, but that the society may consider discussing the matter with Malvern Tourist information Centre.