A DAUGHTER has paid tribute to her multi-talented father who lived near Worcester for more than 35 years Richard Bellhouse, who lived in Kempsey after moving to the county in 1973, died aged 95 on Monday, September 3.

Mr Bellhouse was born in Darlington, studied agriculture at the University of London, spent much of his professional life working for the Ministry of Agriculture and enjoyed a parallel career as an independent archaeologist.

Susan Ashby said: “I have been very lucky to have had such a polymath as a father. I will miss his great sense of fun and musicianship that he has passed on to me. He leaves a rich legacy of skills and will be greatly missed.”

His wife Betty, who he married in 1942, died in 2010 and was known as the founding member of the Kempsey Handbell Ringers, who she conducted for 35 years.

Mr Bellhouse also conducted pioneering work on the Solway Frith area between Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway for a period of 35 years, with his findings being first published in 1952 in Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society.

In 1980 he won the prestigious Silver Trowel award in the annual British Archaeological Awards and this was followed in 1982 with his election as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.

Then in 2004, the Archaeological Society published the book Romans on the Solway-essays in honour of Richard Bellhouse.

He was also a keen musician and played the piano, violin and French horn, as well as turning his hand to making two pipe organs and furniture.

Mr Bellhouse is survived by three daughters, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

His funeral was held on Monday at Greenfields Woodland Burial Ground, Staunton, near Tewkesbury.