THE Parish Hall at Cheriton Fitzpaine was full to bursting last Sunday, when friends and family came together to celebrate Ken Sandford’s 90th Birthday.

Ken had been adopted as a baby by Mary and Tom Rayment, who lived in a small cottage in the main street of Cheriton Fitzpaine.

Having had 10 children already, (three of which died in a Diphtheria epidemic), the family were poor, but Ken was well-loved.

At 11-years-old, Ken won a Scholarship to Queen Elizabeth’s School in Crediton.

At that time, the pupils from our village boarded during the week, and his parents could not afford those fees, plus uniform and books.

At 14 therefore, he got work at Barnshill Farm. Most of the land around was owned by the Arundells, but the farmer was a manager.  There were pigs and cattle, and Ken learned to care for them, the worst memory being of the continual need to get water from the pump, and carrying it back to the land.

A local contractor owned several heavy horses, which at harvest time would be used on the land.  The rest of the year, they were working for the council at a quarry beyond Hollywater.

When War came, Ken was ordered to attend an interview in Crediton.  He was directed to be a Bevan Boy, but he refused, saying he was willing to join the Army, but not go underground, all his experience was in farming.  In the end, he stayed on the land, but was a member of the A.R.P.

Decisions for the good of the Parish were often made by the big landowners.  Mary Rayment remembered a small, rickety wooden bridge at Hollywater, but one day, Rev Arundell, and Squire Moore, who owned much of the surrounding land, decided to build a proper bridge, going half and half with the cost.  Once the bridge was built, they asked a contractor from Poole Barton to drive his heaviest steam engine onto the bridge overnight.  As the bridge survived this test, it was deemed safe!

Ken enjoyed attending Old Tyme dances in the village and even as far as Tiverton and it was at a dance that he met the love of his life, June, who lived in Cruwys Morchard.  She worked at Banbury’s in Tiverton, which then had a large restaurant, and gardens at the back, - very "posh".  June worked in the café, where well-off ladies would take sons who boarded at Blundells for tea.

Meanwhile, Ken was cycling the six miles to Cruwys - all uphill to see June.  Eventually they married and moved into a newly built council house at Wordland Cross, just outside the village, where Ken still lives.  Ken went to work for the Carr family, as a cowherd, and stayed there until retirement.

Ken and June had one son, Stephen, and when June went to work for Mrs Moore at Stockleigh Court, her son also went with her.

June was a stalwart member of the local WI and Ken greatly admires the organisation.  He remembers how kind WI members were taking him to see June in hospital after an operation. Since June’s death, Ken has always been invited to special WI events.

Both Ken and June were marvellous gardeners, and won many trophies at the Garden Club shows.  They were stalwart members of the Church of England, and walked down to the service every Sunday.

When June became ill with cancer, Ken nursed her at home until a few days before her death.  He misses her terribly, but his faith has helped him enormously.

He is supported by his much-loved son and daughter-in-law, Carol and neighbours.  Pictures from his life were displayed on a lap top at the celebrations, and Ken was in pride of place, welcoming guests, which included one of the bridesmaids from his wedding.  We all hope he will stay in good health to enjoy a few more years of a life fulfilled.

Mary Nunn