Tribute paid to members of Rutland Local History and Record Society killed in crash on A47 Peterborough Road in Barrowden

A tribute has been paid to a couple in their 80s who were killed in a fatal crash.

Clive and Elaine Jones from Uppingham were killed in a crash on the A47 Peterborough Road in Barrowden on May 9, just east of the crossroad with Barrowden Lane and Luffenham Road.

Emergency services were called just before 4pm, following a report of a crash involving a silver Fiat Qubo and a black Volkswagen Golf.

Clive, 89, and Elaine, 82, who were in the Fiat, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The couple were stalwart members of the Rutland Local History and Record Society, and were cared about deeply by those in the society who saw them as 'both friends and mentors'.

Debbie Frearson, chairperson of Rutland Local History and Record Society, said: "As a team they encouraged and trained as many people as they could, they were wonderful storytellers about their life abroad and at home.

"As chairperson of the Society they encouraged me to take on roles and education I would never have stepped up for.

"They shared their work and ideas so that others would flourish. There was nothing they told me to do that did not make me a better person and I am certain that others would feel the same way.

Elaine Jones received an honorary membership of the society in 2019 when she relinquished the role of organiser of the archaeological fieldwork group, a position that she held for decades.

The legacy of her work can be seen in the many articles and reports in successive issues of Rutland Record, and her book The Oakham Parish Field Walking Survey.

Debbie said: "Her organisation of the fieldwork plus co-ordination with specialists in University of Leicester Archaeology Services, Leicestershire Museums and heritage people stands out.

"It's a significant contribution to our understanding of the pre-history of the county in particular as reflected in the finds from the areas where field walking has taken place."

Clive, who was awarded an OBE, was an integral part of the archaeological field team, with members describing his knowledge of the area and geology as 'second-to-none'.

Their family previously described the couple as 'extraordinary people'.

The driver of the Golf, a 54-year-old woman, was taken to hospital following the crash.

She was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink or drugs at the time of the crash but was released from custody pending further enquiries.