HUNTING hounds led a procession to a village church before tributes were made to a woman who loved the countryside.

Vera Evans was described at her funeral yesterday as a woman who was passionate about nature, hunting hounds and pretty flowers.

More than 30 people walked behind the coffin carrying the 84-year-old into Christ Church, Lower Broadheath, before the service started just after noon.

Canon John Davies said: “Vera was very much a country girl from the beginning right the way through her life.

“She worked on the Spitfire engines and she was really proud of it and her contribution to the war effort.

“Vera had a real passion for nature, but particularly a passion for flowers.

“She hated weeds with even greater passion. She wore out many a fork weeding them out of the ground.

“She had a great sense of humour. She loved the hounds. She loved absolutely everything to do with the countryside.”

Dr Noel Jones, who was also speaking at the tearful 30-minute service, said: “Vera Evans was someone who enjoyed nature and that is reflected in the hobbies and past-times of her three sons David, Barry, and Stephen.”

Speaking after the service younger brother Stephen Evans, who blew the horn as the hounds walked in front of the hearse, said: “I organised that as a tribute to my mum. She wasn’t really into hunting herself but she supported us and really loved the hounds.

“When she was bed-ridden for the last 12 months I used to bring the hounds into the house and into her bedroom to see her.”

Mrs Evans lived and worked on the land at the farm in Peachley Lane, Lower Broadheath.

The family even set up a market garden business selling vegetables before it closed down about the same time Mrs Evans’s husband Steve, who she met at Alfrick Rifle Club at the beginning of the 1950s, died 15 years ago.

Mrs Evans, who died at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Saturday, August 16, also leaves her daughter Shirley and four grandchildren.