VILLAGERS in Cumnor may remember him as the master butcher who sold them quality meat for more than two decades.

Others will remember Robert Cambrey-Denton for his role under the stage spotlights, performing parts including in Paddington Bear The Musical and even stage-managing for the comedy legend Tommy Cooper.

Mr Cambrey-Denton, better known as Bob, died on January 23 at the age of 92.

He was born in 1927 in Botley, to Harold and Elsie Cambrey.

His father owned Cambrey butcher's shop on Elms Parade, and his parents' forefathers were farmers.

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It was at Botley Youth Club that Mr Cambrey-Denton developed a love for theatrics, but he did not immediately pursue it as a career.

At the age of 17 he had a taste for adventure and joined the Royal Navy, where he was sent on manoeuvres to Scotland.

On his return to Oxford he worked a stint at the Cowley Press but, finding it not to his liking, then went to help in his father's butchery business.

He married his first wife and fathered four children - three daughters and a son - and eventually he became a granddad to nine grandchildren and, later a great-granddad.

After his first marriage he set up his own business as master butcher in Cumnor village, R W Cambrey, where he worked for more than 20 years until retiring in the mid 1980s.

He sold to his apprentice Michael Cain, who took over the business in Oxford Road with his own name and remains there today.

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From there, he became a custodian of Christ Church in Oxford, spending 10 years as a friendly face for visitors and a helpful guide for those wishing to tour the college.

During his time as a butcher, Mr Cambrey-Denton performed with the Oxford Theatre Guild, Oxford Operatic and Abingdon Operatic societies.

Upon his retirement played many professional dates up and down the country.

Prior to that, he spent a time stage-managing for Tommy Cooper, who had great fun mimicking Mr Cambrey-Denton's way of walking - with his feet positioned at 10 to 2 on the clock.

Friends remember him as a 'true professional' whose conversations were full of funny anecdotes and rumbling laughter.

He was said to have played a lively Mr Gruber in Paddington Bear the musical, at the York Barbican.

Musical comedy was one of his favourite genres, but he also played straight acting roles at the Oxford Playhouse and Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford.

Loved ones describe him as having had a voice that was a 'happy blend of honey and gravel', which was well-suited to radio.

In the 1970s he appeared on Radio Oxford to play the lead part, in a series about the famous Cowley vicar Reverend Georgie Moore.

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He also played James the butler in stage productions of the famous black and white short film, Dinner for One, which is broadcast every New Year's Eve in Germany and Scandinavian countries.

He gained permission from the widow of its creator to recreate a stage version, on the condition that it was for charity, and brought the performance regularly to Exeter Hall in Kidlington.

As well as theatre, he also had a keen interest in the past and learnt about the history of Cumnor, presenting his findings using a light and sound show.

He leaves behind his third wife Barbara Cambrey-Denton, whom he married at Fallowfields Country House near Abingdon in 2008.

The pair lived in North Oxford and then Weston-on-the-Green near Bicester, before Mr Cambrey-Denton developed dementia and moved into Brookfield Christian Care Home in Oxford.

It was there that he spent the final two years of his life, before dying peacefully from old age.

His widow Mrs Cambrey-Denton said: "Bob gave us all so much joy and laugher over the years and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

"He developed his voice and acting skills to such an extent over the years that he could put on a character as we would put on an overcoat."

Mr Cambrey-Denton's funeral took place on Tuesday at South Oxford Crematorium and Memorial Park in Garford, where more than 100 people gathered.

Anyone who wishes to pay their respects can make a donation to Dementia UK in his memory.