TRIBUTES were paid to the late Councillor Roger Emmett during a memorial service yesterday.

About 1000 people, including scores of Cllr Emmett’s former political colleagues from Hambleden Parish and Wycombe District councils, packed into All Saints Parish Church on Wednesday.

WDC chairman Cllr Ian McEnnis – who took the role back on following the sudden death of the 67-year-old on June 23 – led the tributes to the popular father-of-two.

He told the congregation: "He was enjoying his role as chairman. He was a charismatic character and the love he had for his family was there for all to see.

"He is remembered with great fondness as a kind, caring and funny man with a great passion for Wycombe and his loving and supportive family."

Cllr Emmett was born in Caversham on November 2, 1945 and lived in the Hambleden valley all his life, where he farmed.

He was brought up in Rockwell End with brother David and sister Judith.

Cllr Emmett was a key member of the farming community, an ex-Chairman of the Royal South Bucks Agricultural Association and a board member of Royal Agricultural Society of England.

He was a keen supporter of rural initiatives, such as the Buckinghamshire Neighbourhood Action Group and the Chilterns Conservation Board.

He was praised for giving his fellow councillors "a balance between the urban and rural" ways of life by former Bucks County and Wycombe District councillor Richard Pushman.

He added: "He was a popular man, charismatic, easy to talk with. He was a natural choice, not just to represent his community, but the council as chairman...it is a great privilege for all of us to have known him."

Cllr Emmett played rugby in Marlow as a young man and went on to coach some of the junior teams in Henley with his young sons. He later played with the veterans at Henley.

Cllr Emmett is survived by wife Frances, who he married in 1972, and sons Mark, 38, and Neill, 35. He also has a granddaughter, Astrid.

His family released this statement following his death: "Roger was a kind, thoughtful and gregarious character, who was interested in those around him; he was exceptional at connecting people’s interests together.

"Roger’s passing is a major loss to his family, friends and the local community. We have been overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness and care from all of Rogers’s friends who have supported us at this time."