AGRICULTURAL engineer Ken Watkins, who died on July 1, could truly be said to be a man of Cheverell'.

From schooldays through into his early 80s Great Cheverell was the pivot of his life, and he has left a lasting legacy in a number of ways including the village recreation field, which he spearheaded.

He went to the village school and then at an early age went straight into agriculture, working on farms in the village. It was the foundation for a lifetime's involvement with the industry.

He went into the Army in the Second World War and at one time served with the Parachute Regiment. He went over to France after D-Day with the Canadian forces. After the war he joined Wilts Agricultural Engineering in Market Lavington, where he worked as a fitter.

When the business closed he set up his own engineering and fabrication business next to his home in High Street, Great Cheverell, and was soon in demand across Wiltshire.

He was a member of Devizes Rural District Council and then was a member of Kennet District Council from 1974 until 1987 and again from 1991 until 1999. He served on the council's housing committee for many years, from 1976 until 1986 and again from 1992 until 1995 and especially championed the needs of the elderly.

He also served on the council's environmental services committee for eight years from 1991 and the planning and development committee for four years.

He was chairman of Great Cheverell Parish Council, and with Brig Brooke as chairman of a playing field committee, it was Ken who became the driving force for clearing the triangle opposite for a sports field and he supervised and directed villagers every Saturday morning until the ground was cleared.

He later acquired an old building from Kennet which became the pavilion. He was the driving force behind the setting up of the annual fireworks display and would always be willing to help anyone out, and for years he serviced the church clock, saying he liked to see time going on the same.

A great raconteur, he would gather an audience quickly, and he will be remembered for his generosity, kindness, humour, compassion and commitment to village wellbeing. He leaves his widow Marian, two sons Raymond and Victor, and grandchildren. His funeral was held at the West Wiltshire Crematorium at Semington yesterday.