Dartmoor character remembered as Tavistock pays tribute to ‘gregarious’ Eric Pinch, 79

The West Devon town of Tavistock has recently lost one of its most colourful characters, 79-year-old Richard Eric Pinch. 

Mr Pinch, known to most as ‘Eric’, passed away on 11 March 2026, and was a man whose life was defined by community, conversation, and an unwavering commitment to the people and places he loved.

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Born on 14 September 1946 in Redruth, Cornwall, and raised in Indian Queens, Eric never forgot his Cornish roots. 

From early days working in a shop in St Columb, the clayworks, and the Working Men’s Club, he carried with him a strong work ethic and an easy rapport with people that would come to define his life. 

ABOVE: A young Richard Eric Pinch, born in Redruth

Even as he settled on Dartmoor, he remained proudly Cornish, though Tavistock would later come to claim him as one of its own.

In his late teens, Eric joined the Royal Navy, serving for several years before beginning what would become a long and respected career as a Prison Officer at Dartmoor Prison in the 1970s. 

Known for his meticulous nature, and remembered for writing detailed reports, he spent nearly three decades there before retiring in the early 2000s.

Eric and his beloved wife Gill, whom he met at a barn dance and married for 53 years, moved to Tavistock in 1983. 

It was here that Eric’s presence became deeply woven into the fabric of the community. 

Family remained at the centre of his life. He and Gill raised two children, Neil and Nadine, and he was a proud grandfather to Isaac, Meredith, Spencer and Imogen, with a great-grandchild due later this year. 

ABOVE: Eric joined the Navy in his late teens and served for a number of years

After leaving the prison service, he ran a taxi business, took on school runs for Milford School, operated a weekend community bus, and worked as a Sustrans Ranger on the National Cycle Network. 

He later took over Yelverton Cars, continuing to serve the local area in his own distinctive way.

It was perhaps through volunteering that Eric left his greatest mark on Dartmoor. 

For 33 years, he was at the heart of Tavistock AFC, a club he supported with remarkable dedication. 

His various roles included chairman, secretary, programme editor, committee member, commercial lead, match-day announcer and music man.

Eric became synonymous with the club, writing match reports for the local paper, bringing humour and warmth to the microphone, and supporting not just the men’s side but also the women’s team.

ABOVE: Eric on the PA system for Tavistock AFC

Famously, Eric supported Tavistock AFC, “and whoever Manchester United happened to be playing” recalled daughter Nadine and wife Gill. 

A lifelong aversion to United stemmed from childhood, when his father’s devotion to the Manchester club contrasted sharply with Eric’s own delight in United's misery.

This included the Red Devils' 1957 FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa, “on the first TV to land in the Pinch household”. 

Away from football, Eric’s community spirit knew no bounds. 

He was involved with Tavy Tidy, served as a Street Pastor, helped found Tavistock Athletics Club alongside Pete Vale and others (later becoming chairman), and sang proudly with the Tamar Valley Male Voice Choir. 

He was also a familiar figure at the Princetown Caravan Club and spent time as a local publican at The Virtuous Lady.

So often present was Eric, that Nadine and Gill joked “you could ring the pub to tell him his dinner was ready”.

Eric embraced cycling later in life with characteristic enthusiasm, completing an extraordinary end-to-end journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End in stages, undeterred even by finding himself in London during the riots. 

ABOVE: Eric at the finish line of his John O'Groats to Lands End cycle

He often took his bike to Tavistock AFC away matches, riding for hours before kick-off with fellow supporter and cyclist Martin Williams.

He stayed closely connected with lifelong friends from his school days in Cornwall, meeting twice yearly without fail with Pete, Tony, Tony and Rodney, “The Boys,” as they were known.

In later years, Eric returned to church, becoming a familiar figure at Mary Tavy Methodist Church, often cycling out to services. 

ABOVE: Eric and 'the boys' from his school days in Cornwall

A natural performer and “big singer,” he brought joy and laughter wherever he went, even, on occasion, dressed in his memorable lamb outfit.

Described as “gregarious, outgoing, and always interested in people,” by daughter Nadine, Eric was, above all, a man who gave his time freely to those whom he respected. 

Whether through a conversation, a lift, a song, or a matchday announcement, he always made people feel included.

His passing leaves a profound gap in Tavistock life, but his legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched. 

ABOVE: Eric dressed in his iconic Lamb outfit, a tribute to his beloved Tavistock AFC

As one tribute from local Stu James put it, he was “so much more than the man on the mic”, a humble, kind, humorous gentleman and a true club stalwart.

Cornish born and Dartmoor made, Eric Pinch was a pillar of the community in the truest sense.

His funeral took place at Tavistock Methodist Church on Thursday 9 April, followed by a wake at the Tavistock Red & Black Club, a fitting farewell for a man so closely tied to the club and its people.

He will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and long celebrated.