Stalwart of rural Herefordshire life dies aged 81 (From Ledbury Reporter)

Stalwart of rural Herefordshire life dies aged 81

8:00am Tuesday 29th January 2013 in News

AN award-winning farmer who gave much of his life to rural organisations has died, aged 81.

Lawrie Whittall, who was born in Moccas, joined Staunton-on-Wye Young Farmers’ Club before later becoming county chairman of the Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs in 1957.

He was also a county delegate of the NFU and a lifelong stalwart of the Weobley Agricultural Improvement Society.

In 1972 Lawrie helped establish Wyeside Parish Council and he was its chairman for 29 years.

He loved village life and spent his entire adult life on Moccas Village Hall committee, as well as becoming churchwarden in 1989 when he succeeded his father Tom.

Lawrie’s son Owen Whittall said: “He was one of those men who threw himself into looking after everybody else and a lot of people have called me to say he did this or that for them.”

Lawrie is also survived by his wife Rene, children Dawn, Carol and Jane, and nine grandchildren.