THE man known as Wilden's "Jack of all trades" has died aged 71.

Gordon Ward, who was known as a "bon viveur extraordinaire", died on Sunday, October 6.

His funeral service was held at All Saints Church, Stourport, yesterday.

Mr Ward was considered a "pillar of the community", because he was involved in a range of activities including cricket, photography, electrical engineering, travelling, gardening, wine making, desktop publishing and fundraising.

He was a former competition ballroom dancer who had helped out as a teacher at the John and Patti School of Dancing in Stourport, where he met Marie, whom he married nearly 50 years ago.

He was also chairman of governors at his former school - Wilden First - for ten years and he helped former head Nic Harvey set-up a nursery and play group.