An East Anglian farming stalwart has died, aged 87.

East Anglian Daily Times: Auctioneer Charles Robert 'Bob' Wright presiding at the prime cattle at Ipswich Market before it closed.Auctioneer Charles Robert 'Bob' Wright presiding at the prime cattle at Ipswich Market before it closed. (Image: Stanfords)

Well known local figure Charles Robert Wright, who was known as Bob, died peacefully at home on July 25.

Bob was born in 1929 in Colchester and has been heavily involved in many local organisations throughout his life. He was a chartered surveyor, agricultural valuer and senior partner with estate agents Fenn Wright. He retired in 1992 and then acted as a consultant for a further seven years.

He was very involved with the local farming community and loved spending time on different farms putting the world to rights. He took a keen interest and was very involved with Young Farmers which included a two year term as Essex county president. He became president of the Tendring Hundred Farmer’s Club in 1996/97 and was also president of Central Association of Agricultural Valuers in 1990.

Many of the present generation of rural surveyors benefited from his mentoring . He was also chairman of Colchester Building Society for many years.

Bob was senior cattle auctioneer at Colchester for many years both at the Old Market in Middleborough, Colchester and from 1975 at the new market in Wyncolls Road, Colchester.

For two years, Bob also sold prime cattle at Ipswich Market before that closed.

Graham Ellis, of Stanfords, who ran the market in partnership with Fenn Wright, followed Bob as senior auctioneer.

He said he learnt much from Bob which he still uses the knowledge he gained from him today to sell cattle and sheep for local farmers.

“I worked with Bob Wright for some 20 years in the livestock market before he retired. He was a good judge of cattle and commanded respect in the ring as an auctioneer,” said Graham.

“Bob was a traditional auctioneer who maximised price for the vendor and always had a good relationship with the buyers.”

Bob was married to Olive Davidson and leaves three daughters and eight grandchildren.

His funeral is at St Mary’s Church, Great Bentley, on Friday, August 11, at noon.