THE Wickwar community is paying tribute to the president of the village social club.

Mervyn Pollard, 83, died on August 7 after a period of deteriorating health.

Born and bred in Wickwar, he was president of Wickwar Social Club having been a member for 45 years and taken on the roles of committee member, vice-chairman and chairman.

A village historian, Mr Pollard loved gardening and used to enter his prize vegetables into various village shows and local fairs.

The husband of late Wickwar parish councillor Olive Pollard, who died in 2004, he was stepfather to her three children Nell and twins Gerald and Teresa.

Teresa said: "He did a lot for Wickwar in his life."

Wickwar Social Club chairman Tim Pooley said: “He will be very much missed by all who knew him.”

“He joined the club when he was old enough to do so and later was active for around 45 years."

Mr Pollard gave up attending social club committee meetings in 2012 but continued to run a Sunday raffle, known locally as the Tote, which raised money for the elderly at Christmas until earlier this year.

His funeral takes place at Holy Trinity Church tomorrow (August 21) at 11am.