LOVING tributes have been paid to a farmer hailed ‘a true gentleman who was happiest in a pair of wellies and a flat cap’.

Around 17 vintage and new tractors formed a guard of honour to bid farewell to Rixton-born John Boardman Taylor, known fondly as ‘Board’.

Warrington Guardian: Around 17 old, vintage and new tractors formed a guard of honour to line his final routeAround 17 old, vintage and new tractors formed a guard of honour to line his final route (Image: Public)

The 83-year-old farmer has lived at Moss Oaks Farm in High Legh since he was 11.

Friends and neighbours lined Swineyard Lane and businesses parked vehicles all along his final route as the local community gathered to celebrate his life on Monday, September 26.

Warrington Guardian: Board and David's matching Deutz-Fahr tractors lined his final route past the farmBoard and David's matching Deutz-Fahr tractors lined his final route past the farm (Image: Public)

Son David, who lives and works at the farm with wife Kerry and family, said: “He was an extremely hardworking, generous and funny man with a cheeky sense of humour.

“He was kind, strong and knowledgeable.

Warrington Guardian: Moss Oaks Farm in High Legh, the family home for 34 years, full of happy memoriesMoss Oaks Farm in High Legh, the family home for 34 years, full of happy memories (Image: Public)

“He had a youthful outlook on life and a wallet full of jokes.

“Loyal to all in his farming community and highly respected, Board was steadfast in his duty to his family, a truly humble man and a true gentleman, who was happiest in a pair of wellies and a flat cap.”

Board, the eldest of seven children, grew up in Rixton in Warrington.

Warrington Guardian: Board was the eldest of seven children and brother to Patricia, Valerie, Gaynor, Howard, Michael and GillianBoard was the eldest of seven children and brother to Patricia, Valerie, Gaynor, Howard, Michael and Gillian (Image: Public)

His parents Alf and Eva moved from haulage into farming, and set up their first arable family farm business A Taylor and Sons, at Moss Oaks Farm.

Sporty Board went to Knutsford High School and played football for Knutsford Young Farmers.

“He worked the farm his whole life, from leaving school,” said David.

Warrington Guardian: A floral tribute in the shape of a tractor in memory of much-loved farmer BoardA floral tribute in the shape of a tractor in memory of much-loved farmer Board (Image: Public)

Board met his wife, Janet in 1957, whilst out with friends at a local chip shop in High Legh.

The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last month.

Warrington Guardian: Janet and Board on their wedding day at Bollington Church on September 1, 1962Janet and Board on their wedding day at Bollington Church on September 1, 1962 (Image: Public)

Board has four children, Gary, Karen, David and Helen and four grandchildren, Rachael, Luke, Charlotte and Sienna.

Board had a great sense of humour and loved to watch classic TV comedies, particularly ‘Only Fools and Horses’.

Warrington Guardian: Board enjoyed anything that was outdoors and connected with the farmBoard enjoyed anything that was outdoors and connected with the farm (Image: Public)

Daughter-in-law Kerry, said: “He had a heart of gold. His main passion was farming and his family.

“If he was here, he’d be on the tractor today.

“Board and David were like two peas in a pod, able to tell you about every inch of the farm, every drain, with maps in his head and figures of measurement.

Warrington Guardian: David and dad Board 'were like two peas in a pod'David and dad Board 'were like two peas in a pod' (Image: Public)

“He lived and breathed it, which is all passed on to David who has continued to work and live at the farm, having worked side by side with Board every day.”

David read a poem at the funeral entitled ‘My Farmer Father’, granddaughter, musical theatre student Charlotte, 18, recorded a song ‘See You Again’.

Board’s youngest grandchildren gave Forget Me Not seeds at the end of the service for people to plant in his memory.