FRIENDS and former students have paid tribute to a popular Royal Agricultural University professor who was “tragically killed”.

Professor in agriculture John Alliston died last Thursday due to an “accident”, the university said, with the exact circumstances of his death not yet disclosed.

In a statement, the Cirencester university praised the professor as being “part of the fabric of the RAU, a valued colleague and a loyal friend, full of enthusiasm and passion for life.”

The statement added: “We appreciate that this news will come as a terrible surprise to staff, students, alumni, and friends of the university alike, but we know that the RAU community will support each other at this very sad time.

“Our thoughts and prayers must be with John’s family at this incredibly difficult time. They have asked that people do not phone or make direct contact for the time being while they come to terms with their loss.”

Beau Fairlie, 27, who now lives in Scotland and is pictured below, knew the professor seven years ago through their mutual interest, golf.

He studied at the RAU and was the golf captain in his second year, while Prof Alliston was the convenor.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

The former RAC student said the professor was a “gentleman on and off the golf course” and said his thoughts were with his family and friends.

He added: “I built a great relationship with him as a student during my time at the college but also as a friend and competitor on the golf course.

“We organised matches within the college and matches against college alumni.

“I live in Scotland so our golfing relationship somewhat deteriorated due to distance. He did always say he was coming up to play St Andrews.”

Liz Falkingham, former editor of national farming title Farmers Guardian, (pictured below) also paid tribute to the RAU professor.

Ms Falkingham met Prof Alliston many times during her time at the paper, which she joined as a reporter in 1995.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

She said: “He was a great ambassador not just for the Royal Agricultural College, as it was then, but for the farming sector generally.

“It was clear he was held in high regard by students and staff, and was widely respected within the UK agricultural industry.

“I always found him to be a passionate advocate of young people in the rural community, as well as a very decent man.

“I was shocked to hear of his sudden death, and send my sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues.”

Ms Falkingham is now based in East Yorkshire where she runs her own freelance writing and PR business, Chestnutmare Media.

Simon Mattsson, 50, knew Prof Alliston after studying an Advanced Agricultural Business Managemetn course in Cirenceste this year.

He said: "It came as a big shock to hear of John’s untimely death and I am sure everyone who knew him has felt the shock, John was very generous with his time and understanding and I feel immensely lucky to have completed the course with John guiding us through.

"I am a sugar cane farmer in north Queensland at a place called Mackay, I was awarded a Nuffield scholarship in 2014 and with that complete this course was the next challenge, John certainly kept us on our toes through the course and took me well outside my comfort zone.

"I will forever be grateful to John for his insightful guidance during the three weeks we spent together."

As a mark of respect, the flag was flown at half-mast last Friday and students and staff observed a minute’s silence at 1pm.

If anyone has a message, email, card, or letter for John’s family, address them to the university’s alumni office and the university will pass them on.

Email alumni@rau.ac.uk or send a letter to Alumni Office, Royal Agricultural University, Stroud Road, Cirencester, GL7 1WA.