Tributes paid to the founder of Oakham Tyres Len Ellis who lived in Ashwell in Rutland for 87 years

A family hopes to instal a memorial bench and plant a tree in honour of their father who lived in Rutland for 87 years.

Len Ellis moved to Ashwell in 1933 when his father took a job as a chauffeur, and he remained in the village ever since.

He died at Peterborough City Hospital on December 9 aged 89.

Len was best known as the founder of Oakham Tyres and his dedication to Oakham Cricket Club.

He had a string of jobs before setting up his own company, which had included farm work and lorry driving.

At the age of 19 he jumped on a train to Leicester to enlist for 12 years in the British Navy, but was discharged after a year because of health problems.

After two brief stints at separate tyre companies, he set up his own business in 1966, and it continues to operate in Station Road under the management of his son Simon.

Born in Suffolk and an only child, Len attended Ashwell Village School from the age of five.

He would return to Suffolk with his mother, Alice, during the grouse season, while his father. William. was away. While there he attended Tostock School.

His mother worked at the village primary school as a cook during the war and shared her culinary skills with Len, who later told friends how to cook a hedgehog.

Len developed a love of cricket during his time at Cottesmore Secondary School. The headteacher would place a sixpence on one of the cricket stumps and anyone who bowled him out could keep the coin.

Len played for his village team but later joined Oakham Cricket Club where he held the positions of captain, chairman and trustee.

He was married to his wife Clare for 32 years and they had two children, Simon and Susan.

In his spare time Len enjoyed fishing.

A funeral service took place at St Mary’s Church in Ashwell on Tuesday last week (January 5), with numbers limited due to the pandemic.

Close friend Dermot Gilvary, who gave the eulogy, said: “Len was grateful for the special people who had helped him along the way, particularly in the early days.

“He displayed shrewd judgment of character and an unwavering moral sense.”