THE death of Geoffrey Baskerville Cadwallader Hopton aged 68 is being keenly felt across Herefordshire so wide and varied was his contribution to the county.

Tributes to Mr Hopton ranged from the Country Landowners Association he served as a regional director to the Kington golfers who knew him as a quiet, keen club member.

Mr Hopton's death on the Hereford-Leominster rail line last Thursday (June 2) is being investigated for the Herefordshire coroner by British Transport Police.

He was hit by a passenger train at Wellington level crossing. An inquest has been opened and adjourned.

Mr Hopton, of Hardwicke, near Hay-on-Wye, was born into one of Herefordshire's oldest established families with local roots that go back to the 12th century.

It was the Baskervilles of Clyro Court, that gave Sir Arthur Conan Doyle the inspiration for his best-known Sherlock Holmes story The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Just last year, when the story's origins were an issue of academic debate, Mr Hopton wrote to the Daily Telegraph to reinforce its link to his family and the Kington legend of Black Vaughan's dog.

According to Mr Hopton, Conan Doyle promised the Baskervilles he would set the story on Dartmoor rather than the Welsh border if they let him use their "romantic" name.

After 15 years in the Army with the Royal Green Jackets, Mr Hopton became a partner in a farming enterprise before moving on to a building contracting business and then a directorship with CWF Engineering, the Ledbury-based hop-picking machinery manufacturers sold off in 1985.

The following year, Mr Hopton became regional director for Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire with the Country Landowners Association, a role he filled until 2001.

David Price, the current assistant regional director, said Mr Hopton earned and received great respect from "all directions" in tackling issues for the 3,000 members across three counties - particularly planning problems.

Eighteen county chairmen also benefited from his good counsel, said Mr Price.

"Those of use who knew him admired a talented man with a quick mind who always encouraged and assisted.

"He will be very much missed by those lucky enough to know him and work with him," he said.

The Association was also an outlet for Mr Hopton's artistic flair. His drawings and etchings regularly featured on show stands.

A Worcestershire cricketer when young, Mr Hopton was an accomplished fisherman and played golf to a 12 handicap with Kington Golf Club.

He leaves a wife Judith and two stepchildren.