Churchwarden died while herding cattle
Tributes have been paid to a hard-working village churchwarden who died in a freak accident while herding cows on her Northamptonshire farm.
Margaret Wrathall, a 74-year-old widow, was on her smallholding in East Haddon at about 5pm on Tuesday when the accident happened.
Her family said she died following a freak accident whilst routinely herding cattle after one of the animals broke loose and knocked her to the ground.
She sustained multiple injuries and, although the air ambulance was called out, she died immediately.
On hearing of her death, about 130 people attended an impromptu church service on Wednesday.
Ian Barnett, a villager and chair of the church council, said yesterday: "Margaret Wrathall's sudden and tragic death has shocked her many friends, particuarly in her village of East Haddon where she was born and lived almost all her life.
"Margaret had a great love and enthusiasm for all aspects of rural life and particularly her horses and livestock as well as those of all ages who lived in the village.
"Our whole community feels a great sense of loss and she leaves an enormous gap in so many parts of our lives."
Mrs Wrathall had four grown-up daughters and six grandchildren.
A statement from the family yesterday said she was a keen horsewoman, a good showjumper and rode with the Pytchley Hunt.
She was also an instructor for the charity Riding for the Disabled for 40 years.
Villagers said she was well-known for raising funds to benefit village and local charities and was totally dedicated to her work in the Church of England, serving on the Church Council and Brixworth Deanery Synod.
Mrs Wrathall was a member of the Spencer Benefice Choir and featured in the Chronicle & Echo in 2008 when lead thieves targeted her local church.
A spokesman for Peterborough Diocese said: "We were very shocked to hear of Margaret's tragic death.
"She had been a faithful and hard-working member of the church in EastHaddon and in the wider Spencer Benefice for many years.
"She had a great gift for getting things done and for mobilising and encouraging others, and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
"Her family, friends and the community she served are in the thoughts and prayers of many people, including both our bishops and the Archdeacon of Northampton."
The Rev Sue Kipling, Rector of the Spencer Benefice, which includes East Haddon, said: "Margaret was a wonderful Christian woman whose faith underpinned all she did.
"She was dedicated to the village and the church community, serving as a church warden for many years.
"She welcomed me so warmly as the new Rector, introducing me to her broods of ducks, hens and bantams. If she felt anyone was in need of support, she would be there, perhaps with new-laid eggs or a jar of homemade marmalade."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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