A PAST District Commissioner of the local Pony Club, Lois Gascoyne, has died aged 86.

Born in Yorkshire in 1917, she moved to Abberley after her marriage to Anthony Gascoyne, a well-known magistrate on the Tenbury Bench. The family moved to live at Curral Hall, Oldwood Common, in 1963.

Ten years ago she suffered a stroke and after a few years was cared for at The Haresbrook Care Centre, where she died on November 21. Mrs Gascoyne was well-known in and around Tenbury and for many years she was a regular member of the Ladies Luncheon Club.

Her daughter, Fissa Sorenson, said: "She was a fine horsewoman, her life was horses, hunter trials, racing and dogs, and us. We all had a very good life.

"We want her funeral service to be light with few tears. We are going to hear John Betjeman's Hunter Trials and then it's boot, saddle, to horse and away."

The service will be held at St Michael and All Angels Church, St Michael's tomorrow at 12 noon. Family flowers only.