ONE of South East Cornwall’s best-known characters, Mike Elford, has died at the age of 70.

Known nationwide for his love of, and expertise in, the worlds of heavy horses and vintage machinery, Mike was a familiar figure at events from the Royal Cornwall Show to Liskeard Carnival.

His death on Monday (June 4) came just five weeks after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of liver cancer.

Through organisations to which he belonged and events he helped organise, Mike raised tens of thousands of pounds for charities over the years.

He adored his home at Bay View Farm, overlooking Looe, and he and his wife Liz loved to welcome visitors to the campsite there.

Mike was a prominent member and former chairman of the Morval Vintage Rally event, and when that came to an end, he set up the new Great Trethew Vintage Rally.

The event made its debut last year and was a huge success.

The committee have vowed it will continue as a tribute to Mike.

In a statement, members said: ‘It is with heavy hearts we, the committee of the Great Trethew Vintage Rally, announce the passing of our beloved founder, chairman and friend Mike Elford.

‘Whilst things will not be the same without this caring, kind and funny man leading our team it is Mike’s wish that we continue with the rally not only this year but in future years to come.

‘With this in mind we ask of you, our followers and supporters to firstly; bear with us whilst we adjust to life without Mike and make some changes within our team. Secondly; help us make the rally bigger and better in order to make Mike proud.’

It was only a month ago that Mike’s beloved shire horse Leo passed away.

Mike and Leo won first prizes on the national stage and at events including Devon County Show and the Royal Cornwall Show, and gave demonstrations using Mike’s collection of vintage agricultural equipment.

They were a familiar fixture at Liskeard and Looe carnivals, leading parades with Leo resplendent in his brasses.

Liskeard Lions said: ‘Our dear friend and member Mike was very involved with the Lions Club of Liskeard, having become well-known for leading the carnival with Leo and also for his efforts (of course together with Liz) in the catering van. He will be remembered as part of the Lions dancers at our annual pantomime.’

Mike’s common sense approach was valued by fellow councillors on the St Martin-by- Looe Parish Council, where he served for many years.

Cornwall Councillor Armand Toms said: ‘Mike was a good practical councillor who represented the parish well over many years.  

‘His work for the community with a number or local organisations was always held in high regard. He will be missed by so many for his commitment to the local area.’

Mike Elford grew up in a farming family on the North coast of Cornwall, moving with his parents to the South East of the county when they took on Tresulgan Farm near Horningtops.

He was just 16 when he met Liz, then 14, at a dance at the Trelawne holiday camp.

The pair were married five years later, and for 30 years they ran the dairy farm together at Tresulgan.

Their love affair with the beautiful Bay View Farm began all the way back in 1971, when Mike was on the lookout for a bull for his herd. He went to view a specimen for sale at a farm near Looe and was bowled over, not by the bull, but by the location, with its panoramic views of the coast and bay across to St George’s Island. Mike told his young bride Liz that it was a place he would love to retire.

Almost three decades later, Mike was leafing through a newspaper when he saw Bay View Farm up for sale. After it failed to sell at auction, Mike approached the vendors, and he and Liz became the proud owners of the very same farm he had been smitten with as a young man.

For Mike, it was not a chore to run the campsite, but a joy to share such a delightful spot with others.

Liz says she will continue to run Bay View Farm with the support of her family and friends.

‘Dear Mike had the most fulfilled life,’ she said.

’The only thing we didn’t ever do in our 46 years of marriage, apart from our honeymoon, was to go on holiday - but we never wanted to.

‘My man was a do-er all his life. Our marriage was based not on romance and flowers, but the respect and loyalty over the span of all those years. It was about being together, working together, our animals, and doing what we loved.’