Tributes have been paid to a popular Gorefield farmer who has died at the age of 81.
Graham Ward was well known across Wisbech and beyond for his devotion to shire horses, involvement with hockey and cricket clubs and the Wisbech Operatic and Dramatic Society.
He was a founder member of the Gorefield Show and enjoyed showing his shire horses across the country.
The National Shire Horse Society said: “We are very sorry to learn of the passing of one of the breed’s most loyal servants. Graham Ward passed peacefully after a short illness.”
“Graham was a very kind man and a stalwart of the breed. “Our deepest sympathies go to the Ward family at this very sad time.”
A spokesman for the Heavy Horse Herald said: “It is with sadness the HHH reports the passing of life long shire stalwart Graham Ward of Decoy Shires.
“A council man for over 60 years serving the shire breed all over the world. Our sympathy goes to the family at this sad time.”
Wisbech Town Hockey Club described him as “a true legend; Graham had been a stalwart for many years and was former chairman, second team captain and valuable coach at both the club and Wisbech Grammar School.
“He was a remarkable character who will have touched and affected many lives at Wisbech Town Hockey Club and will be sorely missed.
“The men’s first team will be holding a minute’s silence before their home fixture with Waltham Forest and we invite all friends and family of Graham to the game to honour a truly wonderful man.”
Mr Ward appeared regularly in the Wisbech Standard and in 2006 we ran a ‘getting to know you’ feature in which he said he would like to be remembered as an understanding father and loving grandfather.
Mr Ward was born and farmed at Decoy Farm, Gorefield until he retired 10 years ago at the age of 71.
At one time he had 10 shire horses and in 1980 won the shire horse of the year title with family horse Decoy Royal Surprise.
He was Wisbech Hockey Club team captain in the 60s and was chairman of the Hockey and Cricket Club for 25 years finishing in the early 90s.
He continued playing until he was in his late 50s and continued to coach students at Wisbech Grammar School until the age of 70.
He was back stage manager and chairman of Wisbech Operatic and Dramatic Society, president of the Eastern Counties Hockey Association and chairman of Cambridgeshire Hockey.
One of his proud moments was working for 10 years to get an Astroturf hockey pitch for Wisbech (1985-1995) in conjunction with the late Ashley Whitteridge and Geoff Beel.
He was married to Janet, who died two years ago, and leaves children Andrew, Stephen, Matthew and Rachael.
He has 10 grandchildren,
• The memorial service is at St Peter’s Church, Wisbech on Friday November 17 at 1pm. All welcome.
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