Tenant farmer of Reading Festival site dies

Mavis Drayton, pictured in 2013 tending to her cattle on the farm, died in July

A woman who farmed the site used for the annual Reading Festival died last month, her family said.

Josephine Drayton, better known as Mavis, was the tenant farmer at Little John's Farm and died in early July surrounded by family.

She took on the farm tenancy in 1997 following the death of her father, Desmond, who had been its tenant farmer since the 1950s.

Ms Drayton's niece, Sally Lempriere, who is now looking after the farm until decisions over its future are made, said she was "irreplaceable".

"Her strong spirit and her ability to call a spade a spade were her hallmarks," she added.

"She has certainly left her mark on Little John's Farm and on the community which still relies upon it. It is difficult to believe that she has gone, given what a strong and vibrant presence she was, and I hope that I will be able to do justice to her legacy."

About 90,000 people are expected to attend this year's Reading Festival, which runs from Thursday until Sunday. Headliners include Travis Scott, Chappell Roan and Hozier.

The Tenant Farmers Association's chief executive, George Dunn, said Ms Drayton had a "passion" for Little John's Farm and "a love for the flora and fauna supported by it and of course a heart for the festival".

He added: "It will be heartbreaking for the family as the festival comes back to the Little John's Farm this weekend, for Mavis not to be there in the background.

"We would like every festival goer to know and understand the work that Mavis put into the site over many years."