Tributes paid to farmer killed by combine harvester
TRIBUTES have been paid to farmer Michael Greaves, who died
in a combine harvester accident.
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The 54-year-old was working in a field off Pigeon Lane,
Overbury, near Tewkesbury, when it happened.
It is thought he was trying to unblock the machine while
cutting a field of weather-flattened oats at 4pm on Monday. A
single man, Mr Greaves shared his home with his widowed mother,
Anne, at Manor Farm in Conderton, near Tewkesbury.
It's the second time she has lost a son in a farming
accident.
In June 1984, Neil Greaves died along with another man in a
silo at Toddington.
Yesterday Mrs Greaves was being comforted by family
members.
She said: "We are coping, but it is very sad. He was a good
lad."
Michael Greaves was a lifetime tenant farmer and much-loved
local character.
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said:
"Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of ambulance staff,
nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at
the scene."
West Mercia police said a postmortem was due to be carried
out today and that the Health and Safety Executive had been
informed about the accident.
Mr Greaves' death has shocked the communities of Conderton
and Overbury.
Neighbour and former farms' manager at Overbury, Andrew
John, said: "He was the sort of guy you always felt better
having talked to.
"He was a wonderful stockman, knowing an animal was sick
before it even realised it itself."
Mike Pullin, who runs an agricultural engineering business
in Bredon, added: "I'm devastated. I would see him two or three
times a week.
"You couldn't have met a nicer bloke. It's horrendous. It's
a great loss and very sad."
He added: "This type of accident is rare, thank goodness,
but farms are dangerous places."
Mr Pullin said news of Mr Greaves' death had spread quickly
and he had received phone calls from farmers, asking if there
was anything they could do to help.
Mr Greaves' friends say he was devoted to his farming,
following the traditions laid down by his family over three
generations at Manor Farm.
He also leaves two sisters, Susan Burnham from Aston
Somerville, near Evesham and Barbara Millist, who now lives in
Australia.
14 Comments
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by Graham Musto, Bwlchgwyn, Wrexham
Tuesday, February 17 2009, 11:48PM
“Although I left Conderton some 37 years ago, I have been as equally shocked by Michael's death as I was by his brother Neil's. We used to live in Darkes House, across the road from Manor Farm. They were all kind, good people and my heart goes out to Mrs Anne Greaves.”
by Marion Lock (Turbefield), Drakes Broughton Worcestershire
Thursday, September 04 2008, 11:16AM
“I have just arrived home after going back to Conderton to say my last farewell to Mike. I met my son Andrew at the garage in Conderton where we would serve Mike and his family regularly. I particularly remember Mike going up the back lane from Conderton up to work in the fields on Bredon Hill and we would be behind him all the way as there weren't many places to pull over. Today on my way around Bredon Hill, I came through Kemerton and there in front of me was the hurst carrying Mike on his last journey to Conderton. To follow him this morning brought back those memories and I found a comfort knowing Mike was in front of me leading the way. God bless you Mike I will remember you always with great warmth. May peace be with your Mum and your sisters Barbara and Susan at this very sad time.”
by Andrew Turbefield, Broadway, Worcetsershire
Thursday, September 04 2008, 9:41AM
“Mike, though you will always be Grubby to me, I will never forget you. My earliest memory was of you bashing a trackrod in the back of Dad''s garage trying to remove a ball joint. You were sweating and beating this thing for what seemed like hours. By the end you succeeded but it was well bent!. For years I kept your old Hillman on the road but before that I remember yours and Neil's Mk1 Fiestas. Your seat was always as far back as possible, so much so you were practically lying down while driving!
I don't think I will ever know a more genuine, warm and honourable freind than you. As I sit hear tears are falling down my face. I can't believe you have gone. I wish all of the family the strength to overcome their greif. I'll always remember you my freind.”
by Jez Bretherton, Worcestershire
Monday, September 01 2008, 12:45PM
“I am so saddened to hear Mike has gone. I know Mike through his agri-environment scheme. He was one of those characters who understood his land so well. Farewell and god bless.”
by martin and helen kelsall, overbury
Sunday, August 31 2008, 10:38PM
“We lived next door to mike -alias grubby greaves -when we lived in conderton .Every year he would let us know when he had some orphan lambs so that we could take our daughters to see them and feed them .He would always stop his tractor for a chat or just give you a friendly wave when you drove past him and he was an amazingly hard worker the only time we ever saw him relax was at local parties where he was always great fun and game for a laugh .! mike is going to be a much missed character ,and conderton will not be the same without him .Rest in peace Mike x x”
by Arthur Turbefield, Conderton
Sunday, August 31 2008, 9:49AM
“I have known Michael from a baby and he has been the best friend I could have ever had. He used to come to my garage most days for a bit of banter. We used to borrow each others tools and help each other out a lot. I will miss him deeply.”
by Andrew Bryson, Hockley Heath
Thursday, August 28 2008, 11:05PM
“Mike was a also a member of the Worcester Country Link group and was always ready to help organise walks and other events for us whilst still being busy with farming. He wasn't able to come to everything, but if we were out having a meal say, Mike would suddenly appear with a smile on his face and a pint in his hand ready for a good natter. We will all miss his smile and his humour and send our condolences to his family at this sad time.”
by Anna Lyford, Warminster, Wiltshire
Thursday, August 28 2008, 3:02PM
“I grew up in Overbury and have know Michael all my life. He was always full of fun and a real laugh to be around. Michael would regularly visit my Dad's garage just to see what mischief could be had.
When I return to the village with my children we would always pop round the farm to see what animals were about and walk up the lane to see Michael in his tractor. This was something I did with my Dad when I was a little girl and it is very sad to think of Conderton and Bredon Hill without Michael.”
by John and Jacqui Ludlow, New Zealand
Wednesday, August 27 2008, 11:57PM
“My wife and I used to see Mike on a regular basis on Bredon Hill when walking our dogs. He was always a gentleman and we respected his love of the countryside and the farm. Very sad news.”
by Annie Clarke, Hampshire
Wednesday, August 27 2008, 7:45PM
“I am shocked and so sad, Mike had been a great friend to me for years and his visits on the way to or from his holiday will be missed. We had a huge laugh going back to a school reunion to Dean Close together nearly 20 years ago. Whenever I came home in the spring we always went to visit Mike and Anne so my gilrs could feed and cuddle the pet lambs. He was a true countryman will be greatly missed.”