‘A lovely chap who gets things done!’ Villagers pay tribute to Chris Schofield, known as ‘Mr Pinchbeck’

Friends have paid tribute to a ‘lovely chap’ and community stalwart known to many as ‘Mr Pinchbeck’.

Chris Schofield - who died this week, aged 82 - was well known in the village and beyond for his tireless service to the area.

The Pinchbeck Carnival, kids club, youth club, village hall and church hall were among the many causes Mr Schofield - known for his trademark hi-vis jacket and shorts, no matter the weather - dedicated his time to champion.

“I’m devastated. The whole village is in mourning,” said Coun Elizabeth Sneath, who represents Pinchbeck on both Lincolnshire County and South Holland District councils, and first got to know Mr Schofield cleaning bulbs on his farm as a girl.

“We all feel we’ve lost someone who has been such an intricate part of the village for so many years.

“He’s been an absolute stalwart and helped so many organisations, but he’s just been such fun as well. That smile, that laugh. He’s going to be terribly missed.”

Pinchbeck Parish Council chair Coun James Avery, who also worked on Mr Schofield’s farm as a schoolboy, remembered a much-loved local character.

“Chris has very much been part of the fabric of Pinchbeck, being involved with many aspects of the community,” he said.

“For an elderly gentlemen, Chris was very active, and he would often be seen driving his tractor around the village, wearing his trademark orange jumper.

“He will be missed greatly.”

Pinchbeck Carnival secretary Jane Amess said: “If Chris was a stick of rock he would have the word Pinchbeck running through him.

“I would describe Chris as very being very friendly and welcoming. Someone who gets things done and just wants the best for the residents of Pinchbeck.”

Over the years Mr Schofield has been a governor at the Gleed Girls School (now Spalding Academy), ran the Pinchbeck Youth Club in the 1980s and sat on the Pinchbeck Village Hall committee, where he was trustee and chairman, becoming the driving force behind its renovations and upgrading.

Mr Schofield also became involved with the Pinchbeck Carnival Association and spent 20 years as chairman before stepping down from the role last year, although remaining an active committee member.

During this time he has also formed a link with the Celebrate Surfleet committee and helped every year at their event in September.

He was also instrumental in establishing the Pinchbeck Kids Club as trustee and chairman, as well as acting as booking secretary for the Church Hall management committee.

Following the easing of Covid restrictions Mr Schofield was instrumental in ensuring regular pop in lunches returned to the church hall for elderly people as well as setting up a book stall outside the village hall which eventually grew into a regular social gathering on a Saturday morning where the public can purchase books, cakes and a cuppa.

A tribute posted on Pinchbeck Village Hall’s Facebook page read: “It is with a heavy heart that I have to put this message on here about the passing of our long-term chairman Chris Schofield.

“Everyone knows Chris for flashing his knobbly knees to the world whilst driving his beloved tractor.

“He will be sorely missed... goodbye Mr Pinchbeck.”