KEEN cricketer and gardener John Berkeley, the owner of Berkeley Castle, has died.

Born in 1931 at the other family home of Spetchley Park in Worcestershire, it was here that Mr Berkeley developed his love and encyclopaedic knowledge of plants.

He was educated at The Oratory School near Reading before obtaining his BA in law a Magdalen College, Oxford.

Two years of national service with the 10th Royal Hussars followed before a 16-year spell with the Queen’s Own Warwickshire and Worcestershire Yeomanry, during which time he received a territorial decoration for his efforts.

Back home, he married Georgina in London in 1967 and had two sons, Charles and Henry, who are now heavily involved in the running of the Berkeley Castle and Spetchley Park estates.

His love of plants grew mostly within the grounds at Spetchley Park although the self-described plantsman had a big impact on the development of the grounds at Berkeley Castle to where they are today.

Showing his close connections to both Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, Mr Berkeley served as high sheriff in both counties – Worcestershire in the 1960s and Gloucestershire in the 1980s.

Along with roles as president of the Scouts in Gloucestershire, he also served as president of the Three Counties Agricultural Society and in the same role for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.

Sport, particularly cricket and hunting, played a big role in his life, with Mr Berkeley also being a master of the Berkeley Hunt for a 24-year period.

Up until his death, Mr Berkeley was still involved in the day-to-day goings-on at the two estates, visiting on most days and was also a big supporter of the Berkeley Show, which is held annually in the grounds of the castle.

Robert John Grantley Berkeley died after a short illness at home on November 2 surrounded by his family.

A private family funeral is being held with a requiem expected to take place in the coming months.