A Sad Farewell
Last year was a year that I would love to forget. Not only did the farm have a catastrophic time with TB but we also lost dad in October. For that reason I am going to dedicate this issue’s column to Dad.
Dad didn’t have the best of starts in life. He lost his own father when he was just 4 years old, which meant the family had to give up the tenancy on the family home Glendon Farm.
From there Dad moved to Northlake with his mum where they ran a Bed and Breakfast. Work always came first, although Dad did also go to school but he found it a bit overrated.
There was the instance of a school trip by train to the seaside. Dad went on the trip but very quickly got bored so he caught the train home without telling anyone. Later that day the teacher turned up at his home to confess that they had lost Dudley only to find he had been home for hours.
In 1963 whilst posting a letter, Dad met Mum outside the post office. Getting married in 1966 they borrowed money to buy 30 acres and a farmhouse. That was the very start!!
Forming a formidable partnership and business together, I am very proud of everything they achieved and grateful for my upbringing and everything they have taught us. One of my parents greatest achievements was that in 1988 they managed to purchase the old family farm, Glendon which is where I now live with my family.
Dad loved to grow his own wheat, cut it with the binder, bind the sheaves and then comb it in the field. The end product was then sold to master thatchers. It was very labour intensive but so much fun, with lots of people volunteering to help and enjoying the work.
My main experience of Dad was working with him for 33 years on the farm where he was happiest. I’m not saying it was always a bed of roses, but if a job was worth doing it was worth doing right.
In 2008 we went looking for a bull for our commercial herd and accidentally purchased 10 Aberdeen Angus females. The potential was soon realized, and we now have one of the largest pedigree herds in the British Isles, winning the best large herd in the South West on two occasions. One of Dad’s highlights that year was the farm and shop featuring in the Farmers Guardian, his favorite publication.
He often said it was the best decision we ever made was converting to Aberdeen Angus, they were his pride and joy. Initially we didn’t get much luck, one bull was infertile, one got TB and one trod on his oversized penis and broke it. After perseverance our luck changed and we purchased Tiny (Balathie Emblem), his photo can be seen on the shop wall as can a lovely photo of Mum and Dad
Dad was also fond of practical jokes. Anything could happen when Dad was around. Keys would go missing, eggs were put in wellies, shoe laces tied to the table; something would be tied to your car or put under the bonnet, but the favourite was the well placed crow scarer.
We miss Dad very much but we also are very conscious that we rejoice in everything that he achieved. Thank you Dad.
Stuart Luxton