IN the autumn of 2002, Poems of the Worcestershire Countryside, by the late Eric Humphries of Shakenhurst, Bayton, near Cleobury Mortimer, was published to raise much-needed funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Best described by those who knew him as a true countryman and a remarkable human being, he was an excellent poet, and a regular contributor to the Rock and District News, writes Jen Green.

He could often be heard singing in the fields and lanes, his collie dog at his side, as he carried out his daily tasks as a farm worker.

When he died at home in January last year, he had lived in the Lodge at the gateway to the Shakenhurst Estate, with his wife Joyce, and two children Glenis and Brian, for almost 50 years.

Born on January 13 1926, at nearby Mayberries Farmhouse, most of his life centred on agriculture and during the Second World War he worked on neighbouring farms for the War Agricultural Committee, producing food for the nation.

Seeped in a deep love for and understanding of the natural world, he was quietly composing the joys of rural life as he worked in his beloved Worcestershire.

Often humorous, sometimes poignant, delightfully dreamy, and comfortably complete, the words tell a tale of vicars and choirs, cricketers, and spires, family and friends and seasonal trends.

Like the Farmer's Lad who first milked a cow, Vic the Butcher from Clows Top, Swallows Leaving, A Collie Dog Called Ben and Fred's Birthday Dream, gazing on a buxom blonde sunning herself in the meadow, the poems of Eric Humphries say it all. Peter Bill, editor of Rock and District News published Eric's works. He recalled: "When I received Swallows Leaving a year or so ago, I was impressed. Bill had started writing his poetry and Joyce suggested he sent it to me. We met on morning walks and chatted about happenings in the community, and they became a regular feature. He leaves a gap that will never be filled."

Such was the demand for his words that Joyce met up with Peter Bill and it was agreed that any profits should be donated to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

She said: "Dedicated and kind they did so much to make Eric's latter days more bearable, which enabled him to be nursed at Shakenhurst.

"The money we raise will help them, help others and this would have pleased him. It's sad that he didn't see his poems published."

People rallied round and the book sold rapidly, thanks to the particular efforts of Carol Evans of the Clows Top Post Office, and on March 26, Joyce Humphries presented a cheque for £650 to David Sparry, fund-raising co-ordinator for the charity. The demand for copies is growing and a second edition is available at the Clows Top Post Office and at Castle Bookshop, Ludlow.

It was a poignant, yet rewarding moment for Joyce, the children and four grandchildren, beautifully summed up in the first and last verses of Granddad's Memories written to remind his grandson Owen that there is more to the outside world than his computer:

"What was life like Grandad,

When you were just a lad,

Is my world a better place

Than the one that you then had?"

The old man smiled at his grandson

Sitting on his knee.

"I don't know lad but I'll tell you

Of how it used to be."

But these are happy memories

Of a far off distant day,

And is your world a better place?

Is very hard to say.

So make your world a happy one

Greet people with a smile

And look outside at this land of ours

You will find it all worthwhile.