Tributes paid to Shropshire farmer

John Link, from Monkhopton near Bridgnorth, dug graves for 20 years, and will even be pictured digging on his funeral service sheet.

His daughter Lorraine believes it would appeal to his sense of humour, and that he'd be quite proud.

She said: "He was proud of what he did. He wouldn't do things by halves, everything had to be done properly."

John, born on February 18, 1924 in Stottesdon, went to Cleobury Mortimer School before growing up to be a talented farmer.

He won the Dingle Lake Hedging and Ploughing Competition seven out of eight years.

He also excelled in sheep shearing, winning the Midland region Competition at the West Mid Show several times, going on to represent the area at the Royal Show.

Lorraine said: "He boasted that, on a good day, he could shear up to 275 sheep in a day."

John met his wife, Kath at the VJ dance in Ditton Priors and they married on April 10, 1950 at Monkhopton Church.

They made their home at Beacon Hill, Monkhopton and Kath ran the sub post office from their house for 47 years up until she died in March 1998.

Happy memories

They had three children, Wendy, Lorraine and Simon.

Lorraine said: "We have many happy memories of dad bringing the Cade lambs home and helping to hand rear them with bottled milk."

John and Kath were avid gardeners, and in 1994 John won the Roy Lancaster special prize in the Shropshire Star Garden of the Year competition, going on to appear on the TV star's Channel 4 show Garden Club.

John was a member of the Cape of Good Hope air rifle shooting team and the Much Wenlock Male Voice.

He played football in his younger days, playing for Ditton Priors, Stottesdon and Brown Clee.

"He had a reputation as a ‘hard player’ and if you saw him running towards you to tackle, it was advisable to take evasive action," said Lorraine.

John took part in Tug O' War for Pentre and Severn Stars, and was a regular supporter of the Wheatland Hunt.

"Even when he had lost part of his leg and living in Bradeney House, he asked if I could bring him a push bike to the home so he could follow the hunt," said Lorraine.

"He will always be remembered as a hard working man. He was a real character and very well known in the area through his work and hobbies.

"But most of all he was a kind man, who would help anyone and a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be very much missed by all his family and friends."

John's funeral is on Saturday, May 18 at St Peter's Church, Monkhopton at noon.