TWO parties were held to mark the 90th birthday of Richard Rice from North Tawton.

Richard was born on September 27, 1928, at Copplestone, the third child to Charles and Nellie Rice.

Within a couple of years, the family moved to The Rectory Lodge at Morchard Bishop, where Charles Rice was the gardener and caretaker for the Rectory. A further nine children followed completing the Rice family; eight boys and four girls.

Richard went to school in the village leaving at the age of 14.

He went to work at his Uncle’s butchery for four years before receiving his "call up" papers.

He was conscripted into the RAF, aged 18, as an armourer; part of the BAFFEL forces he was posted to Luneburg in Germany at the end of the war for 12 months.

When he returned home, he went to work at the bakery in the village, learning the trade very quickly, he progressed to chief baker and took over the running of the bakery; making everything from doughnuts to wedding cakes. He worked there for six years.

In 1954 he and a friend went to North Tawton, thinking there was a dance on, only to find there wasn’t!

They went to the local chippy and that’s where Richard first met his wife to be – Jean Bowden.

They married at St Peter’s Church in North Tawton in 1953 and lived for a short while in Morchard Bishop before returning to live in North Tawton.

It was at this time that Richard had a change of career from baker to dairy worker and moved to Ambrosia at Lapford.

His only means of transport was a push bike – no gears, he cycled to and from work every shift for six years.

Richard and Jean had five children; four boys and one girl, who all attended school in North Tawton and still live in the town today.

When Ambrosia closed down in 1973, Richard was offered a job by the Watts family of Torquay to spearhead their new venture at their purpose-built factory in Okehampton.

He worked there for the remainder of his working life, retiring in 1991.

Richard loved his family life, work and his sports and was highly thought of and regarded by everyone he met.

Very much a "man manager" and a "team player".

He was a keen sportsman all his life playing football, cricket, darts, pool, snooker and in later years bowls; he still enjoys the odd game or two still!

He won many competitions and trophies over the years and several times represented Devon.

His family hosted an afternoon tea party at The London Inn, Morchard Bishop, on Friday, September 28, where several members of his family, friends and work colleagues joined in the celebrations.

On the Sunday his children surprised him with another party at the Waie Inn, Zeal Monachorum, where he was joined by all his children along with his 12 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.