The funeral of one of Andrew Foley, who died after collapsing suddenly at a business meeting in Stourbridge, took place at Stoke Edith Church last Saturday (October 27).

Mr Foley, who was 70, was the owner of the private Stoke Edith estate after he inherited it from his father Major Henry Thomas Hamilton Foley in the late 1950s and farmed there ever since.

Mr Foley was attending a meeting at Old Swinford Hospital School, which was established by his family in the 17th century, when he was taken ill and died of a heart attack on October 15.

His brother Sir John Foley, who was attending the same meeting, said: "He was a very lively character, full of energy and ideas. He could be charming and was a complex character. He had strong views about everything and normally expressed those in pretty strong language.

"If he had an idea he would stick with it. He had lots of disagreements with people but that was a reflection of a determined character with strong opinions."

Mr Foley embarked on National Service in Malaya and was awarded the Silver Stick of Honour at Eaton Hall in Cheshire, an officer cadet training school, for his outstanding performance.

But he abandoned plans to pursue a career with the military when his father died and he inherited the family estate near Tarrington.

"He was brought up in Herefordshire and that left him with a great appreciation and love of the countryside," Sir John said.

"He was interested in agriculture from his earliest years. He absolutely loved it and in that sense it was very fortunate he was the eldest because he was going to inherit the estate."

Mr Foley continued his interest in the Old Swinford Hospital School, where he had been a governor for 47 years.

He pursued his interest in forestry and was still managing the family estate until his death.

Mr Foley is survived by his sons Rupert and Ian, from his first marriage, and his daughters Emily and Alicia from his second, to Melanie.