The former Rector of Burton Latimer, the Rev. R. W. Sharpley, died at his home at  Little Oakley yesterday, aged 71.

Mr. Sharpley, who was rector for 30 years and retired in 1967, was known for  his collection of antiques which were on show at the rectory at nearly every parish event. He was ordained priest in 1924 and was curate at New­port Pagnell and Banbury before becoming Vicar of Cropredy in 1929, where he stayed until moving to Burton.

Mr. Sharpley was a member of the Lamplugh family who are Lords of the Manor of Sutton, Surrey, and while he held this position, visitors from Sutton Civic Amenity Society visited Burton Lati­mer to meet their lord of the manor.

His brother, the Rt. Rev. K. E. N. Lamplugh, is Suffragen Bishop of Southampton and will attend the funeral.

The funeral will be held at Burton Latimer tomorrow and the service is to be conducted by the Bishop of Peterbor­ough, the Rt. Rev. Cyril Eastaugh, and the Bishop of Southampton . (To read about the funeral, click here).

For details of the Reverend Sharpley's will, click here.