A LIFE-LONG farmer at Spreyton, Wilfred Brimacombe, celebrated his 90th birthday with a party at the Waie Inn, Zeal Monachorum - a Sunday lunch with family and friends.

His parents moved to Spreyton when Wilfred (the oldest of five) was of school age, going to the local school.

On leaving school he began his working life on his parent's farm and during the winter months was a part-time rabbit trapper.

When his other brother, know as Dick, left school, it soon became clear that more land was needed to employ his dad and both boys.

Land became available during the war years at Fuidge Manor (which was an hotel) and with part-time contracting, made enough employment for them.

When the whole Fuidge Manor estate went up for sale their father had passed away. The two brothers' South Beer Farm was close-by and Wilf was lured there with Dick and his wife, Ruth and their mother was still living.

In the meantime Alice came on the scene and Wilf and her were married and lived on in their present house at Stockhay.

His nephew, Richard, proposed a toast at the birthday lunch, saying "although Uncle Wilf was a farmer, he was never keen on milking; that part of the enterprise went to Dick."

Wilf was much happier with machinery and poultry and was also a very keen beekeeper. Many years ago he tried to remove a swarm from a local church roof without much success.

He also mentioned that Wilf had no family, "but may well have seen enough, living with four of us at South Beer."

He said everyone knew Wilf was a very keen gardener and that in spite of having a knee replacement earlier in the year, he still had a excellent garden, growing vegetables and fruit.

It was also mentioned that Wilf was an active member of Spreyton Parish Council for well over 20 years and represented the council at various other meetings.

Wilf is the oldest of five and the only surviving member of that family.

Wilf and his wife expressed their sincere thanks for the presents they had received and for the many donations received which would go to the Spreyton Churchyard Fund.

KJV