FARMER, parish councillor and 'leading light' of his village, William Cumber, has died, aged 67.

Known as Will, he served on Marcham Parish Council for more than 30 years and ran Manor Farm for much of his working life.

From a family of farmers, he was heavily involved with the Royal Agricultural Society of England and his latter years the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

William Cumber was born on December 7, 1948 in Reading to parents Susie and John, a farmer on the family farm.

He was brought up on Haywards Farm in Theale, with his younger sister Mary, and then afterwards at Beansheaf Farm, which is near Junction 12 of the M4.

He went to Prior's Court prep school before moving to Kingswood School, near Bath, and eventually studying agriculture at Reading University.

He moved to Manor Farm in Marcham in 1973 and would take over as director of the family company W. Cumber and Son - a role he would hold for the rest of his life.

His sister and her schoolfriend Janey Lampitt would join him on the farm. Will went on to marry Janey in Marcham's All Saints Church in 1976.

The couple lived on the farm together until Janey's death in 2013 and had three children William, Ellen and Sophie.

His close friend Simon Blackmore said the farm became a hub in the community and the couple contributed a huge amount as 'leading lights of the village'.

He served on the Marcham Parish Council for more than 30 years, serving a chairman, and was still a councillor when he died on October 29 this year.

Agriculture was his real passion and following in the footsteps of generations of the Cumber family, he was heavily involved with the Royal Agricultural Society of England for more than 45 years - as well as the Royal Smithfield Club which promotes the breeding of livestock.

He was part Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution for ten years , becoming a trustee in 2006, Chairman of the Welfare Grants committee in 2012 and Deputy Chairman in 2013.

Will enjoyed visiting cathedrals and churches and listening to organ music in particular.

A great supporter of public speaking, he judged competitions and regularly gave talks to local historical societies.

He died in October this year and is survived by his three children William, Ellen and Sophie.