FRIENDS and family have gathered for a special celebration of the life of a popular and loving vintage vehicle enthusiast who was killed in a traffic accident in Cam.

John Glanfield, 67, died after his Second World War Bedford mobile x-ray unit truck was hit by a car while he was carrying out repairs on Woodfield Road on Friday, July 11.

The former landlord of the Lammastide Inn in Berkeley was on his way to help out at the Lister Tyndale Steam Rally at North Nibley after only retiring a few weeks before.

Before moving to Stroud last year, he had lived in Cambridge for 15 years next to firm friends Mandy and John Keedwell, who he would help organise The Little Vintage Show on Dursley Road.

With the blessing of John’s family, the Keedwells decided the best way to honour their friend’s memory was to open up their fields for a marquee and have a barbecue, drinks and a host of vintage vehicles on display.

The call was answered impressively, with over 40 retro vehicles turning up from across the country including motorbikes, classic cars, army vehicles and even some coaches.

More than 100 people visited to pay their respects and to honour the popular and well-liked gentleman.

The hearse was driven to the event for everyone to pay their last respects and for a prayer to be said before he was taken to the crematorium.

Mrs Keedwell, 51, said he was a loving person who would do anything for anybody and made you smile.

“I just wanted to do something for John and we thought he loved his vehicles, he loved a drink, we have got a field, so what have you got? A really good celebration,” she said.

Her husband John Keedwell, 70, would tour the country with Mr Glanfield going to various vintage rallies and people had come from all over to pay tribute.

“He was the most intelligent fool I have ever met,” he said.

“I am very pleased with how many people have turned out to support him. He will be sadly missed.

“He was a good old lad. An excellent man, he had no bad bones in him.”

Mr Glanfield had worked at the Furniture Recycling Project in Gloucester, a non-profit making organisation helping disadvantaged people by recycling second hand furniture and household items and giving them new homes.

Rev Mary Tucker who conducted Mr Glanfield’s service at St John the Evangelist’s church in Purton, said he had made the people at the centre feel very valued.

“They respected him enormously,” she said.

“It was only afterwards you realise how much you valued him.”

He leaves behind his fiancée Caroline Green and three sons James, Matthew and Ben.