DEDICATED Hordle councillor, cricket-lover and dairyman Roy Bowring has died, aged 88.

Mr Bowring served on the New Forest District Council from 1976 until 2003 and became widely respected for his great knowledge and experience in planning matters.

Then he joined Hordle Parish Council and served the community there until his death.

He grew up – the youngest child of six – at Lavender Farm in Hare Lane, and remained there at work in the family business for the rest of his life.

While at Hordle School he joined his father delivering milk in the area. After leaving school, and a short spell working as a telegraph boy, he returned to the farm.

During the Second World War he continued working there in a reserved occupation, and the year the fighting ended – 1945 – he married his childhood sweetheart Iris and they continued to expand the business.

For more than 50 years Mr Bowring supplied milk to the community in Hordle, producing 8,000 pints a day at Lavender Farm and buying in more from other dairies in the area.

He officially retired six years ago for health reasons, aged 82, but continued to work at the family farm for several years afterwards.

Not content with supplying daily essentials, he started a campaign to build new retirement homes in the village, which resulted in the Westmoreland Court sheltered housing scheme on land he located in Stopples Lane.

As well as his work for local authorities, he served with committees for Tiptoe County Primary School, Hordle School, the Lymington Area Joint Committee and Everton Grange Old People’s Home.

He and his wife would regularly drive to visit properties involved in planning applications to gain a more thorough understanding of the situation.

They had two children, Roy and June, although June sadly died in 1971, aged 25.

The farm was popular with youngsters as it hosted many different animals and pets, including cats and dogs, ponies and even a parrot, which sat on Mr Bowring’s shoulder.

He was a great animal lover and for 25 years the family hosted regular events where people would bring their animals to be blessed by the local vicar, raising funds for the RSPCA.

Mr Bowring was also a passionate cricketer and a member of Hordle Cricket Club for around 30 years.

He served as groundsman and secretary as well as playing and was a keen supporter of Hampshire Cricket Club and Portsmouth Football Club – attending matches with his son.

He was a great family man and was well-loved in the community.

His wife said: “I have been amazed at all the lovely tributes people have made, they do help. Roy would have been very surprised too as he was a very quiet man.”