Villagers remember 'character' and farmer

TRIBUTES have been paid to a veteran fundraiser and local character who died in a tragic road accident.

Bernard Blashill, who was affectionately known as the “Welwick Relic”, was killed as he got out of his Land Rover in the village on Friday.

The farmer, 82, who was well known for his charity work and the annual Welwick Heritage Weekend, was remembered in prayers in churches in Holderness on Sunday.

For more than two decades Mr Blashill, a parish councillor for nearly 50 years, and his wife, Mary, have hosted the heritage weekend, which includes an auction of vintage machinery, threshing machines being worked, music, refreshments and a vast array of farming's past. Upwards of 1,000 people regularly made a trip to the village in October, including some from the West Riding and Lincolnshire.

Mr Blashill helped to run the Welwick Two Wheelers Bike Ride to Kilnsea and at Christmas accompanied local carol-singers on the organ. He used to open the church every day next to his home.

Church warden at St Mary’s Jean Wilkin said: “If anyone wanted anything they knew Bernard would know. He was the life and soul of the village.

“The mould is broken when these characters go. He had lots of stories. To die in your own village like that just like that is a tragic accident.”

Mrs Wilkin said she hoped the Heritage Weekend would continue. “It won’t be the same, but there are a lot of people who are still interested,” she said.

Auctioneer Ralph Ward said: “It is very tragic. He will be missed by a lot of people.”

Mr Blashill’s funeral will be held at St Mary’s next week.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident in North Lane around 3.05pm on Friday.