TRIBUTES have been paid to John William Greenslade (80), otherwise known as “Farmer John”, from Bickleigh, Mid Devon, who died following an accident on Saturday, September 19.

He was a much loved familiar voice to listeners of BBC Radio Devon, having been a regular contributor to the station for more than 20 years.

He would share stories of rural life and his award-winning conservation work, always signing off with his signature saying: “t’was a proper job”.

AWARDED AN MBE

Farmer John said in December 2016 that he was “over the moon” that he had been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honour's list.

He was honoured for his services to agricultural education and conservation in the West Country.

Mr Greenslade began taking an active role in the Devon Young Farmers’ Club, speaking at a number of events and promoting good agricultural practice throughout Devon.  He was chairman of Devon YFC in 1966.

He became involved in the Prosecution Service and served as a Magistrate on the bench for 20 years, mainly at Cullompton, leading to a keen interest in the well-being of young offenders.

He maintained an active interest in the Tiverton Agricultural Association and, with their support in 1994 re-started the show as the Mid Devon Town and Country Show, to which he became the President.

The Mid Devon Show has proved to be an extremely successful event attracting around 16,000 visitors each July until it had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.

Farmer John later opened up the woodland Byways Woods, at Way Farm at Thorverton. The woodland is currently closed due to Covid-19.

CHARITY

He organised walks in the woodland in aid of local charities, such as the Children’s Hospice South West, opening the woodland for people to see the bluebells for more than 20 years in aid of the charity.

Local schoolchildren visited the woodlands regularly to learn, in a very practical way about their environment. He and his wife Jeanette, raised thousands of pounds for charity over many years by giving the guided walks.

John and his wife maintained the 80 acres of stunning woods and meadow land.

In recent years volunteer students from Petroc supported learning unit at Tiverton enjoyed finding out about woodlands and helped to plant a variety of trees, including Lime, Hornbeam, Cherry, Whitebeam, Crab Apple and rare Wild Service (or Chequer) trees.

AWARD WINNING WOODLAND

In July 2013 it was confirmed by the Forestry Commission that the award-winning woodland, Byway Woods at Bickleigh, had Ash Dieback, the first reported case in Devon.

Swift action was taken to burn 1,500 ash saplings and it was hoped that this had helped kill off or suppress the disease from spreading.

Sections of the woodland won first and second prizes in the woodland competitions at the Devon County Show.

The woodland was planted and nurtured by John and his family during the past 30 years.  They started planting trees after the farm was struck by TB and cattle were destroyed.

As a result fertilisers were no longer needed on the land, so wild flowers which dislike rich soils made a welcome return.

This inspired John to enhance an environment which had much of the wildlife he remembered as a child, to be enjoyed by future generations.

The woodland is now a wildlife haven that consists of 80 acres of stunning wood and meadow land with a number of wildlife ponds.

It was John and his family’s passion to share this amazing place with the wider community to allow everyone to see the countryside in a “natural” state and learn about the diversity of wildlife in Devon.

At Byway Woods you can see everything from wild orchids to dormice or stunning ancient oaks to newly planted saplings.

PLOUGHING JUDGE

Previously John had also been a ploughing match judge and a few years ago he published his memoirs entitled: “T’was a Proper Job".

An avid reader of the "Crediton Courier", John said he was so shocked to receive the letter in 2016 telling him he was to be made an MBE, explaining: "I almost fell off my chair".

He added: "I just could not believe it. I didn't know I deserved anything like this and I just never ever imagined or thought about it. It really is a big honour and I am literally over the moon.

"So many people have helped me along the way and I can't thank them all enough for all their help and support.

"It was a lovely Christmas present to hear about the award but you could have knocked me down with a feather!"

A HUGE LOSS TO THE COUNTY

The Lord Lt of Devon, David Fursdon, led the tributes to Farmer John on BBC Radio Devon on Monday, September 21.

He described John's death as a "huge loss to the county of Devon".

He added: "He was an asset to the community and meant so much to so many".

Mr Fursdon continued: "He was well-respected and well-known in the farming community. John was an understated man of wisdom with a lot of experience to share. He was a great communicator and was involved in charity work, conservation work and educator who talked with ease to the younger generation."

KNOWLEDGEABLE

Bill Murray said on social media: "I was very sorry to hear on the radio this morning that John had died. He was very knowledgeable and also approachable.

"He had time and consideration for others, for example, several years ago, I received some documents relating to Gidleigh Parish from him via Tony Beard. He could have put them into a sale but he realised that they were of a particular local importance and he made sure that they ended up in the right place.

"He'll be ploughing a furrow in some happy place now 'vor zartain'."

His family said: "Farmer John passed away in a tragic accident on Saturday on the farm where he was born. His family would like to thank the neighbours, the Air Ambulance, paramedics, the police and the fire and rescue service for their care and diligence.

"John was a much loved husband, dad, grandad, great grandad, brother and uncle.

"He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. RIP

"Jan, Sally Reed, Wendy Kerslake, Julie Greenslade and Margaret Leach."

Mr Greenslade was recently preparing to publish a second book following the huge demand of his first title.