TRIBUTES have been paid to a farmer who died following an accident on Friday afternoon. Perryn Dorey, 63, was killed in an incident involving a tractor at Le Lorier Farm, Rue du Lorier, St Saviour’s, where he lived.

Friends and relatives spoke of a quiet, unassuming man who was easy to get on with.

Fellow farmer Nick de Garis said his uncle would be sorely missed.

‘It’s still sinking in and it’s hard to think that the next time I go there he won’t be there,’ he said.

He had learned a lot from his uncle and they were very close.

‘When I was growing up I was always there after school and working there at weekends,’ he said.

‘We’re still trying to take it in. It’s been a great shock to us.

‘He was a very nice man who was loved by all. He was always happy and there for advice. He’ll be sorely missed.’

Mr Dorey’s family had a long history of entering cattle in the West Show.

His father, George, took part for many years and when he retired from farming, Mr Dorey jnr and sister Margaret took over.

Mr Dorey gave up showing cattle about three years ago when his sister retired from farming.

Western Agricultural and Horticultural Society president Don Ashplant said he knew all of the family and had been shocked to hear of Perryn’s death.

‘Perryn was fun,’ he said. ‘He had his ideas like everybody else and he was a nice bloke. He was just like his dad, very easy to get on with, and he would always have time for a chat when we met.

‘The family were always successful in the shows. They had some good stuff and did well. We’ve missed them a lot since they gave up.’

Newly-appointed Guernsey Farmers’ Association president Gerald Carey said he knew Mr Dorey well, though he had not seen him much over the last two years.

‘I always found him very easy to talk to,’ he said. ‘I would see him at meetings in years gone by. I became GFA president a couple of weeks ago and I was planning to go and see him,’ he said.

Geoff Le Gallez used to go shooting on Mr Dorey’s land. He said his friend’s death was a tragedy.

‘He was a quiet, unassuming type of guy and just a damned nice bloke,’ he said.

‘He lived for his farm and it was his life. He was a smashing chap, a true farmer who loved his animals and he was a very hard worker.

‘It’s tragic.’

Mr Dorey leaves a wife, Sue, and two children, Emma and William.

An investigation into the accident has begun and an inquest is expected to take place.