FUNERAL OF MR. G.W. SLADE
Service at Newbury Methodist Church There was a large attendance at the funeral service of Mr George William Slade of `Kingsdown', Enborne Road, Newbury, which took place at the Northbrook Street Methodist Church on Thursday afternoon. In the congregation were fellow worshippers at the church which Mr Slade attended, several farmers and other friends.
The service was conducted by the superintendent minister, the Rev. 0. Kirkby Evans, the lesson being read by the Rev. N.J. Gliddon, superintendent Methodist minister at Chippenham, who son-in-law of Mr. Slade. The hymns were 'Jesu, lover of my soul', and 'Thou very present aid'. The organist Mr W. Barrell, played '0 rest in the Lord' (Mendelssohn) as the congregation assembled and 'Blest are the departed' (Spohr) at the conclusion of the service.
In a tribute to the life and character of the deceased, the Rev. 0. Kirkby Evans said the three supreme interests in Mr Slade's heart, were his home, his work and his church. His home life was too sacred for him to comment upon; with regard to his work, whose who knew of his intense interest in agriculture, knew that he believed in the gospel of hard work and perseverance and how he put his very best into it. As to his church life, he understood that Mr Slade had been a life-long Wesleyan Methodist; for a great number of years he had held responsible positions such as trustee, in various churches in Wiltshire and Somerset, while since coming to Berkshire he was keenly interested in the little church at World's End, Beedon, and in recent years in the Northbrook Street Church, where he was a regular worshipper. There was nothing ostentatious about him, he had no love for publicity, but a genial kindness and a desire to keep in the background. It might be truly said that he did justly, loved mercy and he walked humbly with his God. The deepest sympathy was extended to his wife and the members of his family.
The family mourners were: Mrs Slade (widow), Miss Slade (daughter), Mr and Mrs E.W.K. Slade, Mr and Mrs R.K Slade (sons and daughters-in-law), Mrs Morley Slade (daughter-in-law), Rev H. J. Gliddon (son-in-law), Mr Max Slade, Mr and Mrs Anthony Slade, Mr Philip Slade, Mr & Mrs Parker Ashwell, Miss Brenda Slade, Mr Martin Gliddon, Miss 0 M Gliddon, Mr Alex Slade, Mr Howard Slade, Miss Enid Slade, Mr Herbert Slade, Mr F J Minett, Miss D K Minett. Mrs H J Slade was unable to attend owing to illness.
There then follows a long list of 'others present' and a shorter list of 'wreaths sent'.(See photo of NWN report below)

Death of Mr .G.W. Slade

Farming at 93 years of age.

Mr George William Slade, who died on Monday at his residence, "Kingsdown", Enborne Road, Newbury, in his 95th year, must have been one of the oldest farmers in the country, for he was farming when he was 93 years of age. He was also remarkable in many other ways. He did not start motoring until he was just on three score years and ten, and when he was over 90 he drove his wife to Bristol and back in a day.
He was the father of three of the best known farmers in the district. His eldest son, Mr Edward Slade, has a national reputation, having been president of the National Farmers' Union as well as alderman of the Berkshire County Council. His second son, the late Mr Morley Slade, took a leading part in the formation of the Milk Marketing Board, and his third son, Mr R. K. Slade, recently of Brightwalton and now of Enborne, is a Justice of the Peace for the county of Berks, and has been chairman of Wantage Rural District Council.
George William Slade as born at Shepton Beauchamp, Somerset in 1844, coming of generations of Cti farmers. He went to Wiltshire in 1872 and farmed successively at Fiddington, Urchfont and Lavington. He made a name for himself in these parts and in all probability would have finished his farming life there had not the War Office taken over his lands. This caused him to follow his sons, Edward and Morley, into Berkshire. This was in 1912, and he was farming some 2,000 acrres near Beedon under Lady Wantage. Mr Slade carried on until after the war, giving up his large farms in 1923 but he still retained a small farm up to two years ago. He had a wonderfully busy and intensive life. His knowledge of farming of all kinds was very practical and there was not a job on a farm which he could not do himself. When he was 85 years of age, he was known to have carried a sack of rye on his back.
A man of strong personality, Mr Slade was essentially a farmer of the old school, yet with a progressive outlook. If he was convinced there was virtue in newer methods he would adopt them with enthusiasm, but he had to be convinced. He was one of the first farmer in Wiltshire to go in for milk production, as well as one of those who had the courage to take up land which had been allowed to go derelict in the bad years of arming round about 1879. He prospered accordingly.
In Wiltshire he took his share in the public life of the district. He sat on the Devizes District Council and fought one or two contested elections in the early days of district councils. Since coming into Berkshire , although he had not been quite so active, his help and advice were always readily given and much valued.
Mr Slade was a Wesleyan Methodist of the second or third generation, and was always a regular attendant on Sundays at his place of worship. He was vigorous in body and intellect right up to the last, and five days before his death was to be found transacting his usual business and signing cheques.

Mr Slade was married twice, his first wife predeceasing him in 1915.

He leaves a widow and four children, his eldest daughter being married to the Rev. H.J. Gliddon, superintendent Methodist minister in Chippenham.
The funeral takes place today (Thursday), the first part of the service being at the Northbrook Street Methodist Church at 2.30p.m. and the interment at the Newtown Road Cemetery.