MORE than 40 members of the Ware family, born and bred in Northlew, met up recently to celebrate what would have been Jim Ware?s 100th birthday.

Jim?s daughter, Rachelle Voaden, said Jim was a well-known figure in the village.

Rachelle said Jim was often seen, ?Coming home at dusk, the crossbar of his bike laden down with rabbits ? and maybe the odd pheasant hidden among them ? his gin-traps and decoy pigeons slung over his shoulder and wild strawberries tucked in the peak of his cap.?

Rachelle said: ?He knew every inch of the countryside, every stream where an eel could be found and how to get the best seat in the pub!?

?He could train a gun dog, tickle a trout and make you laugh or cry with his ?long ago? tales.

On Saturday, June 21, Jim?s offspring, many now living in Hampshire, Kent,

Wiltshire and Wales toasted his memory.

At midnight, in the top field at Lower Crowden Farm, James-John, one of Jim?s grandsons, using Jim?s gun, fired two cartridges over the valley as a salute to him.

Rachelle said: ?The echo travelled through the night and in the silence that followed not a dog barked, not a rustle was heard through the trees or the grass, but the air was filled with thanks to have been kin to such a special man.?