TRIBUTES have been paid to Oxfordshire bowling and bugling stalwart Bob Porrill, who has died aged 83.

Bachelor Mr Porrill, of Nine Acres Lane, Charlbury, was affectionately known as “Bob the Butcher” in the town, having worked at the now closed Chapman’s Butcher for most of his life.

Mr Porrill’s other two passions were bowling and bugling. He was instrumental in building a new bowling green behind the White Hart pub when the club moved from the cricket field in Station Hill.

And when the White Hart was sold in 1993, he was the driving force in helping the club locate to its present home in Ticknell Piece Road.

Mr Porrill moved to Charlbury at the end of the Second World War and from 1948 began playing the bugle at St Mary’s Church.

He served with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry between 1945 and 1948 and served in Palestine.

Last year, in an interview with the Oxford Mail, he said: “The reason I learned to play the bugle was I was hoping I wouldn’t be sent abroad.

“But they did send me abroad and I took it up again while I was in Palestine for 20 months.

“Some of it was fun, some of it wasn’t much fun.”

He continued to play the bugle for the Royal British Legion and even received a certificate in recognition of his efforts, which mistakenly honoured his service as “branch burglar”.

Mr Porrill was made an Honorary Life Member of Charlbury Bowls Club, which he joined in the early 1950s, and served as its captain for 26 years between 1960 and 1985.

Club member Mike Woodward said: “Together with other members he was among the first bowlers to bowl indoors at the old Winter Gardens at Banbury in the 1960s.

“Bob was instrumental in the formation of the club’s weekly tote fundraising draw in 1969, which was still running and in which he was still actively involved right up to the time of his death.

“The club has benefited from this fundraising by many thousands of pounds over the years.”

He died on January 2.

Mr Porrill’s funeral was held at St Mary’s Church, Charlbury, on Tuesday.

Friend Charlie Hurst, 83, of Ditchley Road said: “He was dedicated to his bowling.

“He was a real patron. Without him the club would not be in existence.

“He always liked to watch football, he was part of the family of everybody.

“He was a really wonderful person.”