Mr Phillip 'Duke' Potter (1937 - 2010)
Champion ploughman Duke Potter died of a heart attack on Tuesday 7th September 2010 while shopping at T H White Country Store in Marlborough. Mr Potter, who farmed at Little Middle Green Farm in Dauntsey, was 73 when he died. Duke was the son of Frederick W Potter and Phyllis E Potter (nee Rogers) who married in 1936 All Saints Church, Christian Malford.

He was instantly recognisable in his deerstalker hat and was known for winning ploughing competitions throughout Wiltshire. He was also a regular face at tractor auctions in the county, amassing a collection of around 80.

Mr Potter leaves his wife, Ann (Margaret Ann nee Bishop), to whom he was married at St James The Great Church, Dauntsey in 1959. The couple had one son, Frederick J (born 1962), named after Mr Potter's father, and two daughters, Yvonne M (born 1960) and Diane M (born 1963). His grandson Phillip J, son of Frederick and his wife Alison J Shapland, is training to take over the farm when he is older. Mr Potter also had two granddaughters, Rosie and Laura.

Daughter-in-law Alison Potter said: "Absolutely everyone knew him. I'll have to break the news to people all over Wiltshire that he has passed on. He was one of those people who was so recognisable to so many with his hat."

She added: "Duke was in the country clothing shop when he died, which was probably the best   place for that to have happened because he loved it. He died very quickly and did not suffer."

Mr Potter was born in Yatton Keynell, and moved to Little Middle Green Farm when he was just three years old. He was an active member of the community, and was elected a member of Lyneham Parish Council in 1990.

Mrs Potter said: "He will be missed by a lot of people I think. Phillip will eventually take over the farm as part of a new generation at Middle Green. He is working with his father at the moment to learn about farming.

"The Potters have been at Middle Green for several generations and it's in their blood."