East Haddon’s Margaret Wrathall dies as she herds cattle

The family of Margaret Wrathall, a 74-year-old widow, who lived in East Haddon, near Daventry, was still grieving yesterday after she tragically died in a freak accident.  The accident occurred on Tuesday (1 September) evening at about 5pm on her smallholding

Margaret, described as a hard-working village churchwarden died herding cows. This was something she did on a regular basis and it is thought one of the animals broke loose and knocked her to the ground. An air ambulance was called to the scene hover she died almost immediately at the scene from her multiple injuries.

Ian Barnett, a villager and chair of the church council, told the Northampton Chronicle & Echo that, “Margaret Wrathall’s sudden and tragic death has shocked her many friends, particularly in her village of East Haddon where she was born and lived almost all her life. Margaret had a great love and enthusiasm for all aspects of rural life and particularly her horses and livestock as well as those of all ages who lived in the village. Our whole community feels a great sense of loss and she leaves an enormous gap in so many parts of our lives.”

Mrs Wrathall had four grown-up daughters and six grandchildren. In a statement issued by her family yesterday said, she was a keen equestrian, a good show jumper and rode with the Pytchley Hunt. She was also an instructor for the charity Riding for the Disabled for 40 years.

A spokesman for Peterborough Diocese said: “We were very shocked to hear of Margaret’s tragic death.

“She had been a faithful and hard-working member of the church in EastHaddon and in the wider Spencer Benefice for many years.

“She had a great gift for getting things done and for mobilising and encouraging others, and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

“Her family, friends and the community she served are in the thoughts and prayers of many people, including both our bishops and the Archdeacon of Northampton.”

The Rev Sue Kipling, Rector of the S

The family of Margaret Wrathall, a 74-year-old widow, who lived in East Haddon, near Daventry, was still grieving yesterday after she tragically died in a freak accident.  The accident occurred on Tuesday (1 September) evening at about 5pm on her smallholding

Margaret, described as a hard-working village churchwarden died herding cows. This was something she did on a regular basis and it is thought one of the animals broke loose and knocked her to the ground. An air ambulance was called to the scene hover she died almost immediately at the scene from her multiple injuries.

Ian Barnett, a villager and chair of the church council, told the Northampton Chronicle & Echo that, “Margaret Wrathall’s sudden and tragic death has shocked her many friends, particularly in her village of East Haddon where she was born and lived almost all her life. Margaret had a great love and enthusiasm for all aspects of rural life and particularly her horses and livestock as well as those of all ages who lived in the village. Our whole community feels a great sense of loss and she leaves an enormous gap in so many parts of our lives.”

Mrs Wrathall had four grown-up daughters and six grandchildren. In a statement issued by her family yesterday said, she was a keen equestrian, a good show jumper and rode with the Pytchley Hunt. She was also an instructor for the charity Riding for the Disabled for 40 years.

A spokesman for Peterborough Diocese said: “We were very shocked to hear of Margaret’s tragic death.

“She had been a faithful and hard-working member of the church in East Haddon and in the wider Spencer Benefice for many years.

“She had a great gift for getting things done and for mobilising and encouraging others, and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

“Her family, friends and the community she served are in the thoughts and prayers of many people, including both our bishops and the Archdeacon of Northampton.”

The Rev Sue Kipling, Rector of the Spencer Benefice, which includes East Haddon, said: “Margaret was a wonderful Christian woman whose faith underpinned all she did.

“She was dedicated to the village and the church community, serving as a church warden for many years.

“She welcomed me so warmly as the new Rector, introducing me to her broods of ducks, hens and bantams. If she felt anyone was in need of support, she would be there, perhaps with new-laid eggs or a jar of homemade marmalade.”

Spencer Benefice, which includes East Haddon, said: “Margaret was a wonderful Christian woman whose faith underpinned all she did.

“She was dedicated to the village and the church community, serving as a church warden for many years.

“She welcomed me so warmly as the new Rector, introducing me to her broods of ducks, hens and bantams. If she felt anyone was in need of support, she would be there, perhaps with new-laid eggs or a jar of homemade marmalade.”