Tributes paid to former Council Leader and Hedgehog Society Founder

A service of thanksgiving to celebrate the life of former Civic Head and Chairman of Shropshire County Council and founder of The British Hedgehog Preservation Society, Major Adrian Coles MBE has taken place.

The service was attended by a host of civic dignitaries, serving and former military personnel, several Deputy Lieutenants and Justices of the Peace.   Amongst the mourners were Sir Algernon Heber Percy, Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire and his wife the Honourable Mrs Jane Heber Percy, Philip Dunne the Member of Parliament for the Ludlow Constituency,  The Chairman of Shropshire Council, Ann Hartley who represented the Council Leader and Shropshire Council Members, Mrs Pat McLaughlin President of Shropshire Association of Local Councils, Mr Leigh Northcott Hammond Chairman and Vice President of The Shropshire Society in London, The Deputy Mayor of Ludlow, Former Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire Sir Thomas Dunne.  Fay Vass the Chief Executive of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, Neil Jenkins Shropshire County Chairman of The Royal British Legion.  

Senior current and former councillors of Shropshire County Council, the former South Shropshire District Council and local Parish Councils paid their respects.  Representatives from numerous organisations and bodies were among the congregation including The Shropshire Society in London, The Gild of Freemen of Shrewsbury, Ludlow Air Cadets, West Midland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association and the Women's Institute.  Former Chief Inspector John Bradburn represented the National Association of Retired Police Officers.  Pensioners from The Royal Hospital Chelsea donned their distinctive scarlet coats and tricorn hats and travelled from London accompanied by Major Coles' Captain of Invalids, Major Philip Shannon.  In addition, numerous relatives and friends travelled considerable distances to pay their respects.

Local Branches of the Royal British Legion joined forces to form a guard of honour as the coffin, draped with the Union Jack and carrying Major Coles' Tricorn hat and medals laid on a velvet cushion, entered the church followed by Major Coles' three children and six grandchildren. 

The service was conducted by The Reverend Richard Mutter and The Reverend Ian Williams, former Vicar of Knowbury.  The organ was played by Colin Reeves, an Associate of the Royal College of Organists.  Philip Dunne the Member of Parliament for the Ludlow Constituency, read from the bible and Major Coles' two eldest Grandchildren, Lily and Jonty Arkwright read poems, Jonty aged 13 gave a moving rendition of 'Little Drummer Boy'.  Major Coles' six grandchildren laid simple posies of white rosebuds on the coffin. 

The Eulogy was read by Leigh Northcott Hammond, Chairman and Vice President of The Shropshire Society in London and Lay Chaplain to The Gild of Freemen of Shrewsbury.  Mr Northcott Hammond recounted Adrian's many achievements and successes including founding the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, now with a membership of nearly 12,000 worldwide.  Mr Northcott Hammond told of Major Coles' civic career as Member of Shropshire County Council representing Clee Hill Division for nearly 40 years, the longest serving Member and "father of the Council".  His proudest and most memorable four years as the Civic and Ceremonial Head of the County, representing the Authority as "First Citizen" on Royal Visits, entertaining Her Majesty the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to Luncheon, proposing the Loyal Toast and making a speech with Her Majesty seated at his side.   Mr Northcott Hammond concluded the Eulogy reading out a letter from The Assistant Private Secretary to The Queen, expressing Her Majesty's sadness of the news of the death of Major Adrian Coles and sending her warmest wishes.

Major Philip Shannon of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, paid tribute to Major Coles. Recalling his dedicated and loyal service during his four years at the Royal Hospital and his pride in serving as a Chelsea Pensioner.   

During the service Craven Arms Men's Chorus sang the Welsh Hymn, Calon Lân and the congregation were upstanding for the March of the Pensioners, The Royal Hospital Chelsea "Boys of the Old Brigade".

At the graveside Royal British Legion Standards were raised and lowered to The Last Post and Reveille play by Bugler David Taylor.  Major Coles was buried next to his wife Pam who died in 2011 and his son David who died aged three and a half in 1976. 

The service was followed by refreshments at Knowbury Memorial Hall.  Flags throughout the county flew at half -mast.  Donations in memory of Major Coles will be divided between Hope House Children's Hospice and The Parish Church of St Paul, Knowbury.

Major Coles' family said they were deeply touched by the kindness and support they had received, Major Coles' eldest daughter Annie said "I have never been more proud, my father was a wonderful man who worked tirelessly for the local community and for the County of Shropshire, he will be greatly missed".