Heartfelt tributes have been paid to retired farmer and local historian Guy Bryan who has died at 88.

Guy, who farmed in Wootton Fitzpaine for almost 50 years before turning his hand to local history, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 8.

He wrote popular book Wodetone – A Wooded Place, a history of Wootton from Neolithic times to the present day.

Guy was also heavily involved in local government and community groups for many years, chairing the Char Valley Parish Council, the Wootton Parish Meeting and Bridport Round Table.

He was born in Askerswell in 1926 as the youngest of three brothers and also had an older sister.

Guy’s son-in-law, Charles Oulton, described him as a man with an incredible sense of humour which was his biggest strength.

He said: “He was a well known man; everyone looked up to him and when anybody had a problem in Wootton Guy was the first person they turned to.

“He was a very gentle family man and a good father to his two children. Without Guy and Wootton resident Elizabeth Fortescue, Wootton wouldn’t be the same as it is today.

“His writing was just one example of the pivotal role Guy played in the village.

“He was particularly proud of the village’s several successes in the Best Kept Village competition.

“Guy leaves behind his beloved children, Julian and Camilla, and three grandchildren, Alexandra, Charlotte and Oliver.”

Guy’s father farmed at Court Farm, Askerswell, while his grandfather Henry Percival Bryan was the rector. He moved from the village school to Bridport Grammar School at 11. Guy also learnt to ride as soon as he could sit on a horse, winning many trophies at local shows.

After completing his education, Guy was called up for army service, serving in Gibraltar, Osnabruck, Hanover and Berlin before ending his service with the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment.

He was called home early when his father fell ill, helping his brothers farm the 750 acres at Askerwell.

Guy, who was 20 when his father died, then farmed Court Farm with one of his brothers for six years, before marrying Anne Doble and moving to Wootton Fitzpaine to help her father farm.

He then semi-retired and bought 50 acres of land adjoining his new home in the centre of the village. Working closely with the Wootton 2000 Group, he set about recording the history of Wootton.

Wootton Fitzpaine resident Elizabeth Fortescue said: “Guy had a gift for getting the whole village together to help and become interested with projects like the Best Kept Village Competitions. When he came to live in the centre of the village he really was the centre of the village, and a wonderful neighbour.”