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A legend in his lifetime - that aptly summed up Wil Trewindsor' James who died peacefully at his home Maesyderi, Pontycleifion, Cardigan at the weekend a few weeks before his 88th birthday.

The popular octogenarian led an active life right up until his death and was still very much involved with shire horses, having gained iconic status as a breeder, exhibitor and judge.

A native of Brynberian he and his late wife Mona lived at Trewindsor Farm Llangoedmor for many years before retiring from farming in 1989.

He served on Llangoedmor Community Council for some 60 years and was a member of St. Cynllo Church.

He was a stalwart supporter of various agricultural events and especially close to his heart was the annual Barley Saturday Stallion Show and Parade in Cardigan. This year's event on April 26 will not be quite the same without Wil who was a member of the committee and had stints as president and chairman.

His horses won consistently on the local show circuit and when Cardigan Agricultural Show celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2004 Will was honoured with the presidency. A show committee member he was a past president and chairman.

Wil was an honorary life member of the Peterborough Shire Horse Show and attended the event a fortnight ago.

He was a regular at the Royal Welsh Show, attended ploughing matches in Ireland and on the continent, and a keen rugby follower for many years he made the biennial visit to Scotland as a member of the local Scrum Club.

One of his proudest recollections was a never to be forgotten day in 1985 when he drove Grand National winning jockey Hywel Davies through the streets of Cardigan in a vintage gambo pulled by shire horse Captain after the jockey's momentous Aintree triumph on Last Suspect.

Over the years he acquired a rare and valuable collection of pre-Second World War agricultural machinery and implements. With advancing years he found difficulty looking after the collection and offered it to Cardigan Town Council to be kept in the community for posterity.

After the council failed to find a suitable home for the collection Wil reluctantly put it up for auction in August last year when a local group led by retired veterinary surgeon Richard (Dic y Fet) Thomas purchased several items to be kept in the town.

Paying tribute to his friend this week Mr. Thomas said "Wil was the last link in Cardigan with the past, a man of great insight into horses and machinery.

"A man of the land he was one of the few left that bridged the gap between horses and mechanised farming.

"He had a very broad knowledge, offering valuable advice to our group, and it will be difficult for us starting a museum locally having lost a great man with terrific knowledge. He will be greatly missed," he said.

Of a kind and friendly disposition Wil endeared himself to countless friends from all walks of life and over a wide area.

A grandfather and great-grandfather he leaves his daughters Janice, Annette and Wendy, and brothers and sisters to whom sympathy is extended.

Pay your tributes to Wil below.

2:25pm Monday 31st March 2008

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