NOT in living memory have so many people attended a funeral service at Coldridge Parish Church as they did for that of respected farmer and countryman, Lewis George Quick.

More than 220 people crowded into Coldridge Parish Church for the service, held on Wednesday, January 27, while more than 150 others filled Coldridge Village Hall where the service was relayed by loudspeaker.

Lew was the son of Lewis and Lucy Quick who farmed and lived at Lower Burston Farm, Bow.

He was the youngest of three children all born there - Margaret, Bill and Lew.

They moved to Loosebeare Manor in September 1942 where the children all walked to Zeal Monachorum School.

On leaving school Lew went home to work on the family farm.

He joined North Tawton Young Farmers' Club and Lapford Football Club and also a six-a-side football team.

Lew was a keen competitor in Young Farmers' Shows, mainly in stockjudging, representing Devon at Smithfield and the Great Yorkshire Show, amongst many others.

When married he moved to Birch Farm, Coldridge, with his wife, Wendy and two sons David and Alan, and a year later John was born.

Lew became passionate about hunting, joining the Eggesford Foxhounds initially, but then often rode with the Tiverton Staghounds.

He was Joint-Master of the Eggesford Hunt for nine years.

He also hunted with the Taw Vale Beagles and they met regularly at Birch for more than 40 years.

Later he married Valerie and together they enjoyed hunting, point-to-points, farming and his family life.

Lew enjoyed his time farming and was regarded as a very good farmer.

He also enjoyed showing stock at North Tawton Christmas Fatstock Show and helping John show his British Belgian cattle at many agricultural shows.

Lew was a gate steward at point-to-points for many years and also a racing steward.

He was a Coldridge Parish Councillor for 44 years and for some time served as chairman.

He was also a keen whist player and would MC at the Eggesford, Tiverton Staghounds and Coldridge Village Hall whist drives.

Lew passed away peacefully on January 18, aged 70 years.

He was the dearest husband of Val, father of David, Alan and John, father-in-law of Sarah and beloved grampa to his grandchildren.

Master of the Taw Vale Beagles, Jeffrey Cox, gave the eulogy and blew the hunting horn at the graveside.

The funeral service was conducted by the Rev Lindsey Starrs and the Rev Jane Lucas.

Donations at his funeral service were for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust and Coldridge Parish Church. Donations may be made through C Burrows and Son (J. J. Burrows), Funeral Directors, Coldridge, Crediton, Devon.