SANDFORD Parish Church had rarely been more full than for the service to celebrate the life of Dodie Huxter who had farmed near Sandford and been instrumental in the success of Crediton Farmers’ Market among much else.

Born in Iron Acton, South Gloucestershire, Dodie went to Bath High School until going to Rolle College in Exmouth to train to be a teacher.

That was when, in 1968, Dodie met Roger, the love of her life, who was studying at Seale Hayne Agricultural College. Three years later they married, moving twice in Somerset before finding South Ham Farm on the Somerset Levels where they could achieve their ambition to have some land where they could keep some sheep.

They moved there in 1977, renovated the derelict house, at first living in one room. They converted a barn into two apartments as holiday lets and did B and B in the house where their two daughters were born and grew up.

One daughter said of growing up there: “We enjoyed an idyllic childhood - with ponies, tame lambs, fruit trees and our own vegetable patches.”

Dodie was teaching part-time and had also established herself as a Master Upholsterer undertaking projects for clients as well as teaching upholstery, later developing her own workshop at home, bringing together groups of people at her weekly classes who remained lifelong friends.

After 20 years or more the time came to sell South Ham Farm. They had long talked about getting a farm in Devon and with Welland Down Farm near Sandford, they did just that.

They farmed sheep and beef cattle for local farmers’ markets and, as was said at the church, as if all this was not enough, Dodie also joined the WI (which she also chaired), the Farm Women’s Group, the Morchard Maids, Spinners and Weavers Guild, Rare Breeds Survival Trust, Small Holders Association and Tiverton Bee Keepers.

All this she did with great grace but also with a great sense of humour – Dodie was always up for trying out anything that looked like fun - such as the time she went on a Saddles and Paddles expedition with the Morchard Maids!

Dodie and Roger were early stallholders at Crediton Farmers’ Market, Dodie taking over as superintendent in 2002, becoming chairman the following year.

In 2005 the market moved from the former car park bounded by Market Street and North Street to Belle Parade as a temporary measure while the town square was built, moving back again in 2007, Dodie at the helm through nearly all of this. She was there when the movement Plastic Bag Free Crediton staged an event at the market which adopted that status, changing its plastic bags for fabric.

A strong interest in Shetland sheep had grown to include all things Shetland. Dodie was a regular visitor to the islands, bringing back sheep and other livestock to spread the Shetland genes among the wider national population.

She was a member of the Shetland Sheep Society, an enthusiastic show competitor, judge and area rep. She was also shearing some very fine fleece, sought after by spinners and knitters.

But her home and family were perhaps the most important of Dodie’s life, using her skills to furnish their home as well as creating a fantastic vegetable garden with polytunnel and fruit cages.

One of her daughters said: “Mum was a really warm and welcoming person who could make anybody feel at ease. She adored her seven grandchildren and she always had dignity and grace.”

The Rev Paul Fillery who conducted the service said he had counted it an immense privilege to have known such a gracious, kind and caring lady.