A CORNER of a Wolvercote pub garden has been dedicated to one of its late regulars.

Community stalwart Toby Wain passed away last year after suffering a short illness.

Mr Wain, son of the late poet, author and Oxford University professor John Wain, was a regular at the Plough in Wolvercote, and worked as a gardener for the pub for many years.

The 44-year-old was well known in the village and around Oxford for his passion for gardening and for his die-hard support of Oxford United.

The pub raised enough money at Mr Wain’s funeral wake to plant some trees and put up a plaque in the garden in his honour.

The family of Mr Wain – who was one of four brothers – said the actions of the pub and landlord Tim Bowring meant a lot to them.

Mr Wain’s brother Ianto said: “We are so touched that the Plough are dedicating this bit of the garden to Toby.

“Toby was very fond of the staff at the Plough and was their gardener for many years and Tim and his wife Kim were very kind to him during both good and bad times.”

Mr Wain was involved in fundraising and on the management committee of the Wolvercote Young People’s club and was a keen footballer.

He was also an award- winning gardener and left Oxfordshire briefly to study horticulture at Pershore College, in Worcestershire.

To celebrate the new garden, the pub laid on some food and music for an unveiling ceremony on Sunday.

Ianto Wain added: “Toby was born in Oxford and lived in Wolvercote for most of his life and was very fond of the village. And, from the number of people that have taken the time to write to us or come up to me, a lot of people in Wolvercote were very fond of him and miss him very much.

“It’s nice to think that the Plough, which is very much the heart of the community, is going to have a little space dedicated to Toby.

“I am sure it will remind me of him and of the kindness of people whenever I am there.”

Landlord Mr Bowring said: “I knew Toby for 15 years and he was popular with everyone who came in the pub.”