TRIBUTES have been paid to former president of the Melplash Agricultural Society Marjorie Rowe after her death at the age of 95.

Friend, historian and former Melplash Agricultural Society show secretary Elizabeth Gale said Mrs Rowe was a charming woman with old world graciousness.

She said: “She was a pleasure to work with. She had fine manners and was a stickler for correct etiquette.

“She also knew all there was to know about farming and the countryside.

“She had a sharp sense of humour and was a great judge of character and she was devoted to her family who meant so much to her and they were devoted to her.”

Mrs Rowe was born on January 9, 1916, one of six born to Henry and Minnie Bright, of Coaxdon Farm, Axminster.

She went to school at All Saints in Axminster, leaving in the 1930s to train as a telephonist at Axminster Post Office Telephone Exchange then Lyme Regis and Taunton and Ilminster during the war where she was often seen on her bicycle or Royal Enfield 148cc motorbike.

During the war she met her future husband RAF pilot Frank Rowe and after his return from South Africa, they were married on October 6, 1945.

They had three children Rosemary, Pamela and James and lived at Uphay just outside of Axminster.

Life revolved around her family while Mr Rowe concentrated on the auctioneering business of R & C Snell which he bought in 1950.

Mrs Rowe was a former member of the Inner Wheel Club of Axminster and she enjoyed cooking and prepared supper for many hunt balls and Axminster Cricket Club teas.

She also organised street collections and coffee mornings for the Church of England Childrens’ Society.

She belonged to the WRVS and did Meals on Wheels and was involved with Axminster Operatic Society.

In her 60s, she took up golf and spent many happy hours at Lyme Regis Golf Club.

On news of her death the club flew its flag at half mast.

She leaves three children and their spouses, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.