Ollerton: Estate owner, keen on woodland and field sports, with military background mourned

An estate owner, keen on woodland management and field sports, and with a military background has died.

Mr Ian Thorne grew up in Oxfordshire, the son of Major George Thorne, a farmer who served in the Grenadier Guards, and Juliet Thorne, granddaughter of the third Earl Manvers, of Thoresby Hall.

After studying at Trinity College, Oxford, he also served in the Grenadier Guards and saw active service in Aden, the Oman and Northern Ireland, reaching the rank of Captain.

In 1974 he moved to Nottinghamshire and took on ownership of the Kneesall Estate from his cousin, Lady Rozelle Raynes, who also owned the Thoresby Estate.

Mr Thorne was very active in the management of the Kneesall Estate and the in-hand farming operation, Kingston Farm.

In recent years he oversaw several diversification projects at Kneesall, including the development of a café, children’s nursery and equestrian centre.

He was very keen on woodland management and field sports.

Mr Thorne was married to Paula, and father to Du’aine, Alison and Davina.

He was churchwarden of St Bartholomew’s Church, Kneesall, for many years and a trustee of Thoresby Charitable Trust.

At county level, he was High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire 1986-87, president of the Newark and Notts Agricultural Society 1989-90, joint chairman of MacMillan Cancer Relief Appeal 1993-95.

He was a magistrate on the Worksop and Newark benches from 1998 to 2002, chairman of the Nottinghamshire committee of the British Field Society from 1977 to 1981 and chairman of the Game Conservatory Council’s Nottinghamshire committee from 1982 to 1985.

At a regional level, Mr Thorne was chairman of Timber Growers’ Organisation (1976-1983) chairman of the Royal Forestry Society, Notts and Lincs (1998-2001) and vice-chairman of the Boys’ Club, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire (1983-1985).