Recently one of the fathers of a member of Wem Rural Parish Councl passed away.
Tony Matthews was a true Shropshire Lad. He was so proud of his county and in particular, the areas of Barkers Green and Aston, where he lived all of is 88 years.
Tony was a farm and factory worker with great knowledge of the local history and ways of the countryside and enjoyed passing much of this knowledge onto Andrew, who serves as a Parish Councillor.
To help support their friend one of the fellow parish councillors offered to make the lunch for those attending the funeral and an SOS was sent to the rest of the team to see if anyone could possibly help out on the day.
The response was remarkable.
Several councillors rallied and it was an honour and a pleasure to work as a team.
The centrepiece on the table was this fabulous pork pie, which had been commissioned from The Pastry Box in Wem.
It was perfect.
When people come together in support of each other, somehow things don’t seem quite so dire.
Tony leaves behind his devoted wife Sylvia of 55 years, son Andrew and the wider Matthews family along with many friends and memories.
Tony never drove a car but could regularly been seen riding his bike. He always worked locally. He spent 12 years working as an engineer at Rubery Owens in Prees which was his favourite job…other than working at Moat House farm in the 50s. He grew all of his own vegetables and was almost a trend setter for the green sustainer way of life.
Horses and the country way of life was his passion and he would tell his son and grandsons (and anyone else willing to listen) how to maintain, preserve and continue the country way of life , farming and its sports for other generations to come in the future .
Tony always had time to chat to locals and people had who moved into the area and told many stories and local history. He new every drain, ditch or hedge and was a true quiet countryman, horseman and family man. Not landed gentry by any means… but rich in his life and ever grateful for his life on the Green, which has changed very little in over a hundred years. A good simple, quiet country life was his only wish in life shared with Sylvia and his family.
This much-loved photograph is of Tony and his son Andy Damson picking around 1979 which they would then sell for pocket money and trips out.
Tony will be missed by many people and his Andy will no doubt continue to share his father’s passion for local history which he will continue to share with his own children.
#communityspirit
