A RESPECTED Evesham figure has paid tribute to the ‘lovely and charming’ Sir Terry Wogan who passed away following a short battle with cancer.
Coun Diana Raphael paid her respects after the sad death of the broadcasting legend was announced on Sunday (January 31).
Only last year he toured the wonders of Evesham and Pershore in his Great Food Trip for BBC Two along with black cabbie driver Mason McQueen, the duo experienced the historic Hampton Ferry, encountered the Pershore Plum Charmer and sampled the delights of the Vale’s asparagus.
Coun Raphael, who owns the Hampton Ferry, was one of the lucky ones to be able to meet Sir Terry on his tour of the Vale.
Fondly remembering his visit to the Vale, Coun Raphael described the TV icon as ‘very human’ and spoke of his genuine interest in the history of Evesham.
“Terry was just lovely and charming. He was just a very nice man, I didn’t feel uncomfortable being around him at all,” she said.
“It’s a very sad loss.
“He was very amused by the Hampton Ferry and he seemed very much to enjoy his visit.
“He wanted to know a lot about the town and also about how long I’d been here.
“He was very human – he wasn’t the ‘great I am’, not at all,” she added.
Among his other destinations during filming was The Fleece Inn in Bretforton where he even encountered Gus the Asparagus Man.
A visit to the popular Wayside Farm Shop saw Sir Terry and Mason sampled an Asparagus Scone with Asparagus Jam
And football fever also took hold during his visit as Sir Terry learned more about the Growers United project from Bal Padda and mascots Horti and Agri.
Sir Terry, who died aged 77, leaves a wife Helen and their three children.
