A PONY and a vintage ice cream van in the funeral procession of Jack Davis gave a couple of hints about what was important in his life.

Mr Davis, who has died aged 81, had a global reputation as a breeder of Welsh cob-type ponies – but that was just one aspect of a remarkable life.

Mourners at St Ethelbert’s Church in Littledean listened to a rendition of Danny Boy as the coffin entered – it was a recording of the 13-year-old Jack.

As a talented boy soprano he sang with the Palm Court Orchestra and the Treorchy Male Voice Choir and was accompanied on the piano by Gertrude Young, the mother of the Cinderford-born radio personality.

The congregation heard about the life of Jack – who was christened Walter – from Mary Guy, a friend of 30 years, and Richard Miller, who is now another leading light in the world of Welsh ponies.

Mrs Guy said: “I’m honoured to say a few words about the man most of us knew as Jack Parvadean – what a man.”

The name comes from the stud he established in Littledean and has gone on to become one of the best-known in the pony world.

Mr Miller, who first met Jack at a local show in the Forest, said that if it were not for Jack’s encouragement “my life could have taken a different direction.”

He added: “Just over 180 Welsh ponies have been registered with the Parvadean prefix, but their effect has been immense.

“I googled Parvadean and, after 15 pages of related animals, I gave up the search – such is their influence around the globe.

“Jack achieved a level of success and respect in the Welsh pony and cob world that few of us could ever imagine.”

He said among Mr Davis’s proudest moments were seeing his son Justin win the Horse of the Year show in 2011 with Parvadean Dahlia and watching his other son, Jeremy, judge at the Royal Welsh Show last year.

“To make it into the ring to present the Chetwynd championship trophy must have been the icing on the cake.”

Mrs Guy said Jack was a grocer by trade and started by selling his father’s surplus fruit and vegetables from the family home in Broad Street, Littledean.

That became a general store “which sold anything from ice cream to elvers fresh from the Severn,” and the shop thrived for 40 years.

He also had a mobile shop delivering around the Forest and a fleet of ice cream vans – he was also one of the first agents of Lyon’s Maid and Wall’s ice cream.

He also taught ballroom dancing and had a great interest in greyhounds.

Donations in lieu of flowers were requested for the Diabetes Society and Townsend House in Mitcheldean.