The world of Cumbrian agricultural shows lost a talented craftsman and true countryman with the death of Robert Wilson Cannan, of Kentrigg, Kendal, aged 83.
Bob, as he was invariably called, exhibited his lovingly created walking sticks and crooks at shows across the county, from major events drawing thousands of spectators to small hound and terrier shows, and won thousands of prizes over the decades.
He started whittling wood as a boy, and his passion for his craft continued and grew throughout his life, to the point virtually all his summer weekends were spent exhibiting at rural shows, enjoying friendly rivalry and conversation with others who worked in horn and wood.
Coming from a farming background, he was the only child of the late George and Peggy Cannan. He went to school at Selside and then Kendal before finding employment on farms in the area. He then went to work for TK Robinson and Sons, Kendal, initially on the farming side of the business but increasingly as a driver of heavy plant, particularly diggers.
He subsequently worked up to the time of his retirement for what is now the Environment Agency, carrying out tasks such as river excavations.
Bob met his future wife, Rose Thexton, at a dance at Preston Patrick and the couple were married in 1961. They at first lived in a cottage at Birklands, near his parents’ farm, later moving to Sandylands and then Kentrigg.
In his younger days Bob was interested in motorbikes, and he enjoyed gardening, but making and showing sticks and crooks was always his major passion.
He first started exhibiting them at shows in the 1970s and was proud of all the many wins he achieved over the following decades.
He was always ready to talk about his creations to all those who showed an interest, in a quiet and unassuming way. He also judged crooks and sticks at many events.
He is survived by his wife Rose.
