A FARMER who campaigned for farming and conservation to coexist side-by-side has died aged 94.

John Willmer OBE was a recognised expert in ecology, conservation and alternative energy and managed his family home – Friars Court, near Bampton – as a model of how a modern farm could combine the three.

The 650-acre site boasts clean energy projects, including solar panels and a wind turbine, as well as being one of Natural England’s “higher level stewardship” sites – where a strict agreement to adhere to good conservation practices exists.

He first converted the farm to its present model with his wife in 1989, in a radical step which saw them sell off their entire herd of 60 dairy cows.

John Willmer was born at Friars Court on November 11, 1920, to parents Richard and Mary (nee Honour). He was the eldest brother to three sisters, Joan, Molly and Ruth. As a boy he was a pupil at Kingswood School, after which he went to Bradford to learn the workings of the wool trade.

He returned to Friars Court at the outbreak of the Second World War to produce food and join the Home Guard.

He had tried to enlist in the Royal Air Force with a few of his friends, but because of his “reserved occupation” – one considered essential to the domestic war effort – was not allowed to. Within the year all his friends were killed in action, which drew Mr Willmer closer to the Methodist church and also farming.

He became a preacher in 1949 and preached for more than 65 years. His sermons often included observations on nature.

He was known as a progressive farmer and became county chairman of the Oxfordshire branch of the National Farmers’ Union, as well as chairman of Oxfordshire Young Farmers.

He also joined the board of West Oxfordshire Technical College and was on the governing body of Westminster College, Oxford, the West Oxfordshire Further Education College and a long-serving member of Clanfield Parish Council.

Mr Willmer met his wife, Frances, in 1963 during a stay at the Acland Hospital in Oxford. He was the patient, she his nurse. They married on February 8, 1964 and had three children, Carol in 1966, Mary in 1967 and Charles in 1970.

Tragedy struck in 1975 when Mary died of leukaemia. Another bitter blow followed a decade later when Carol was killed in a cycling accident, while travelling in Australia.

Mr Willmer’s response was to establish a memorial trust in their names which aids different charities around Oxfordshire. Mr Willmer was also known for his talks relating to wildlife and conservation.

In 1989, following a difficult few years in farming, he and his wife decided to develop this interest into a new business and sold their dairy herd, converting their farm outbuildings into a small tearoom and visitor centre.

Mr Willmer would then take groups on educational tours, explaining how farming and conservation could co-exist, before Mrs Willmer would serve her home-baked teas.

As this led him into the areas of ecology, conservation and alternative energy, he became an acknowledged expert in the field and was awarded an OBE in 1989 for his work.

Two years later he was elected to be a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society.

Mr Willmer ran his family home, Friars Court, his entire life, even after being diagnosed with a heart condition at 90.

He died peacefully at home, in the room in which he was born, on August 11. He is survived by his two sisters, Ruth and Molly, and his son Charles. His wife died from a brain tumour in 1997.

A ceremony celebrating his life will be held at St Mary’s Parish Church, Bampton, next Tuesday, September 16 at 2pm.

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