Farmer Bunny held court to very end

FARMER Bunny Burcombe has died just two days after celebrating his 90th birthday.

Born to farming parents in Edge, Mr Burcombe worked the land there and at Hammond's Farm near Wick Street all of his life.

An outspoken character, his booming voice was heard for decades at auctions around the county.

His son Godfrey said: "He lived his life through the cattle auctions. He went three or four times a week.

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"Later he went to Cirencester market every week until only three weeks ago. He used to hold court in his wheelchair by the ring."

Christened Harold, Mr Burcombe was nicknamed Bunny as a small child because his sister was unable to pronounce 'sonny'.

Mr Burcombe left the former village school in Edge aged 12 or 13 to enter farming at a time when horses were still in regular use.

As mechanisation arrived Mr Burcombe launched an agricultural contracting business which he operated for about 40 years.

He dealt widely in hay and straw and was for years a familiar face around the annual Painswick Show ground, his son said.

Mr Burcombe his wife Rona enjoyed ballroom dancing in their younger days.

He survived by his 92-year-old wife, his son, two daughters, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mr Burcombe died at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. His funeral will take place at St Mary's Church in Painswick on March 13.