Farmer Mr Philip Oram died at the Great Western Hospital on January 9, aged 56.

Mr Oram was born on February 6, 1958 and lived in North Bradley.

He went to Roundstone Primary School until he was 11 when the whole family moved to West Ashton. He went on to attend Ravenscroft and Warminster Schools.

Aside from farming, his early hobbies included swimming, surfing holidays in Bude and boating in Poole.

His real passion was driving, and from an early age he would drive anything he could get his hands on and could often be found at the Westbury car auctions.

Mr Oram and his brother Richard, who was also his best friend, had 17 BMWs between them.

He was a member of Trowbridge Young Farmers Club and held the posts of chairman and treasurer.

Every year at the YFC Rally, Trowbridge won the tug of war competition thanks to Mr Oram, who was always the staunch anchor man.

Mr Oram was a member of Devizes Round Table and held the position of treasurer and honorary president.

On April 25, 1981 Mr Oram married Mandy at South Wraxall Church. Their daughter Caroline was born in March 1983 and son Andrew followed in June 1985.

He was a partner in the family farm business alongside his father Bernard and his brother. In 1989 the whole family moved to Manor Farm, Allington, and since then his son Andrew and nephews Nicholas and James have joined the family business.

Mr Oram’s final move came in 2001 when he and his family moved to West Overton as part of the farm expansion.

He spent most of his last days in the comfort of his own home with the support of his devoted and loving family, who would like to thank everyone who attended a thanksgiving service in his memory held on January 22 at St Michael and All Angels Church, West Overton.