Robert Blair Willmer
1937 - 1996
Bob was born in Arundel Hospital and was thus a Mullet. He lived with his parents at various Slindon Addresses including about four years at the old Vineries before it was re-built in the care of his grandparents and aunt due to war time circumstances. He started school at St Richard’s in Slindon which was then housed in The Clubhouse opposite The Lime Tree as the army had requisitioned the school building. Like so many at the time Bob started his education in a pub!
He later attended St Phillips R.C. School in Arundel and then took an agricultural course at Cirencester College until his career with horses began. He still found time for other activities and was an active member of The Walberton Young Conservatives. As a member of Slindon Amateur Dramatic Society he appeared in several productions alongside Fr. Costello who was the catholic priest in the village at the time.
He was an ardent gardener with a profound knowledge of flowers.
Robert Blair Willmer (Bob) was Slindon man who became well known in the equestrian world. His love of horses took him from school to gain experience with Mr Edwin Honey at Eastergate, training point to pointers and then to Mr Syd Woodnam at Lavant. Whilst at Lavant he met and married Brenda Meldrum. They had three children Bay Sarah, Belinda Jane (she died aged 14 months)and Blair. He and Brenda ran the Ferring Riding Stables and Rifesyde Stud near Worthing.
During this time they taught many people to ride and produced many successful show horses and ponies while providing enjoyable hacking on the beach and on the downs. Bob was for many years Chairman of The Goring and District Riding Club and simultaneously Chairman of The West Sussex Branch of The British Horse Society. He was a highly respected judge of horses and ponies and was a panel judge of the British Show Hack, Cob and Riding Horse Association.
His activities took him all over England, Scotland and Wales and just before he died he gave a lecture at the Ladies Side Saddle Association at Rudgewick. He moved to Goodrich Herefordshire in 1987 and together with Brenda and son Blair ran Rocklands Farm and Stud.
He was laid to rest at St Richards where he had served at the altar in the extended cemetery where he had once grazed his horse and pony.