Charlie was born in Ashperton, near Ledbury, on March 26 1942 and was an only child.

His dad worked as a lengthsman on the railways and a keen gardener who rode a Raleigh motor bike, which Charlie ended up with, keeping it running and taking it to shows to display.

Christina (Tina) Dodd, who knew Charlie for more than 30 years, takes up the story.

“His wife Margaret, who he married in 1966 was a childhood sweetheart. Her Nan lived next door to his parents.

“They virtually grew up together because although Margaret’s parents lived in Worcester, Margaret frequently went to her Nan’s.

“He told the tale that the tin bath was used to bath the pair of them as children!

“He went to Ledbury Grammar school but left at around 14/16 years of age and did a car mechanic apprenticeship in Hereford.

“He used to cycle the 14 miles to get there. Charlie said that when he was riding his motorcycle around the lanes of Herefordshire and he mis-judged a gap in the hedge, the gate was closed, he hit it and that was how he lost his teeth!

“At some point, Charlie came and worked at a garage right by the river bridge in Worcester, where the Premier Inn is now.

“That was run by Mr and Mrs Hobson, who were very good towards Charlie. When they finished with the garage, they gave a great deal of their equipment to Charlie so he could start his own garage business in Powells Row, St John’s.

“This was around 1974, and was called Malvern Road Motors. The only reason he finished there was because he rented the accommodation and Sainsbury’s bought the site to build the supermarket there.

Charlie with one of his many stock car racing trophies

“Charlie developed an interest through the garage and like-minded men of building stock cars. He raced them all over the country and had shelves of trophies he won over the years.

“He used to race locally at Grimley and only had to stop competing when he was in his early 70s because he couldn’t get insurance anymore.

“Charlie had a passion for anything to do with steam. Both his father and father-in-law worked on the railways. His father-in-law was the signal box operator at Henwick Road.

“He travelled up and down the country on steam trains, loved the York railway museum and could tell you about every steam track and train in the UK.

STEAM BUFF: Charlie was also an engine enthusiast

“He was a member of the Worcestershire Locomotive Society and he used to exhibit a Lister standing engine at local steam rallies, which he had restored to working order.

“Charlie was famous within the fruit and vegetable growing societies in Worcestershire as he competed every year in all the village fayres or traditional produce competitions.

“His house is full of certificates and trophies he won over the years. Chrysanthemums and dahlias were his favourite flowers and he was also very active in the local flower societies.

“Sadly Margaret died in 2001 from a stroke. Instead of having presents for his 70th birthday he decided to ask for donations for The Stroke Association and that was the beginning of his fundraising which became his drive in his later years.

Charlie Hodges (in the centre) receiving a Life After Stroke certificate for his fund-raising efforts in 2014

“He was commended every year for the thousands of pounds he raised. He regularly organised fish and chip suppers at Rushwick village hall with live music.

“Charlie was a genuine, down to earth type of person – apart from his mechanical and gardening interests he also loved home-made wine and 60s pop group The Shadows.

FUNDRAISER: Charlie pictured in 2015

“He didn’t want much from life and led it in a very simple way. He was happy pottering in his garden. He would do anything for anyone. Very kind-hearted and generous with his time to a fault.”

Charlie had a stroke himself in March 2020, he recovered well and continued to live at home but unexpectedly suffered a cerebral bleed on January 9 and died on January 28.

Due to Covid restrictions the funeral on Monday, February 8, will be restricted to 30 people.

However, the hope is that people will line Newland Crescent, where he lived to say they can bid farewell to Charlie before the cortege moves off to the funeral service.

The service will be held at St Clement’s Church, where Charlie and Margaret were married, where Margaret’s funeral was held, and from where you can see the signal box at Henwick Halt.

When social restrictions allow, there will be an event at Rushwick village hall to celebrate Charlie’s life, and Tina said, “and of course there will be a fish and chip supper!”

At the Worcester News, we publish an Obituaries page to give families who have placed an announcement with us, the chance to celebrate the life of someone they have lost.

And while it doesn’t allow for the physical comfort of being together, to give a hug or sharing a drink, an obituary will give your lost loved one the recognition they deserve, both in print and on line at worcesternews.uk.co.uk to share with your friends and family members.

If you would like us to write an obituary for someone you cared about, you can do so here or contact our Community Content Editor Barry Kinghorn at barry.kinghorn@newsquest.co.uk