TRIBUTES have been paid to a woman who "left a trail of joy behind her", following her death from injuries suffered in a road accident.

Valerie Bown, aged 67, died in Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital on Monday, nearly a week after suffering serious injuries in an accident at Danemoor Crossroads, near Welland.

She was taken to the hospital by Air Ambulance after her Peugeot 406 was in collision with a Land Rover at around 9.30am last Tuesday.

Mrs Bown was well known in Hanley Castle through her connection with local groups and associations, including Hanley Castle WI and The Hook's Good Shepherd Church.

A retired farmer, she was also keenly involved with the West Midland Friesian Cattle Breeders Club.

Mrs Bown's daughter, Susan, said her mother's flair for cooking and entertaining saw her in demand as a caterer for weddings, meals-on-wheels, village events and the local nursery.

"Since moving to Hook Bank, mum and dad enjoyed some of the happiest years of their life together," she said. "They found the time to share their passion for horse-racing and cricket as well as finally being able to travel.

Sense of fun

"Above all, mum will be missed most for her irrepressible sense of fun and the ability to touch the lives of all those she met."

The Reverend Stan Godfrey, who knew Mrs Bown through The Good Shepherd Church, said she will be remembered fondly.

"Val was one of those people that it was an absolute pleasure to know," he said. "Her involvement in so many things was remarkable. She left a trail of joy behind her. The great thing about Val and Michael was that they were always willing to do things for other people."

Mrs Bown came to the area in 1961 after marrying Michael. They moved from Malvern to begin work at Northend Farm in Hanley Castle in 1962.

Until her retirement in 1997, after which they moved to The Hook, the couple developed the Castlerhydd herd, one of the best-known pedigree Friesian cattle herds in the country.

She leaves her husband, three daughters, Sally, Jane and Susan, and three grandchildren.

A thanksgiving and celebration of Mrs Bown's life will take place at 2.30pm on Thursday, April 17, at St Mary's Church in Hanley Castle.

Donations are being invited for the Worcestershire Air Ambulance and Injured Jockey's Fund. They should be forwarded to Presland Malcolm J Funeral Directors, High Street, Upton.