• Contact us
  • About us
  • Digital edition
  • Online archive
Friday, June 20, 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New vicar appointed for churches

    New vicar appointed for churches

    Award for Eden writer

    Award for Eden writer

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

    Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

    Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

    Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

  • Sport
    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New vicar appointed for churches

    New vicar appointed for churches

    Award for Eden writer

    Award for Eden writer

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

    Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

    Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

    Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

  • Sport
    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
No Result
View All Result
Home Latest

Hughie Potts – a much-loved man of action in his community

by CWH
1 December 2022
in Latest, Obituaries
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Hughie Potts

Long-serving Appleby councillor, former mayor and businessman Hughie Potts, who has died aged 72, was a man of action who selflessly provided help within the community he loved and supported.

“He was always there if anybody needed any help,” said Anne, his wife of 50 years. “He was a very proud, private fellow.”

“He would never ask anybody to do something he would never do himself,” recalled Kenny, the younger of his two sons. “He led from the front.”

And eldest son Freddie said: “He was a strong but caring character. He was a very loyal friend with a very good sense of humour.”

Hughie’s family this week gave heartfelt thanks to the community following the “overwhelming” reaction to his sudden passing, on November 11.

Among those to pay moving tributes was another long-serving Appleby councillor, John Pape, who said: “Appleby has lost a great servant in the death of councillor Hughie Potts. He was always the first to volunteer both with his personal assistance, as well as his staff and family.”

In his role as mayor, Hughie greeted the then Prince Charles on his visit to the town after devastating Storm Desmond in 2015, the largest flood the town has experienced in living memory. He introduced all the townsfolk who had assisted in clearing up after the floods.

During the storm, Hughie had organised the filling of tonnes of sandbags, using much of his own staff to do so. “Whenever there was urgent need for help with any potential problem that arose around the town, he was the first to be there to help out,” said John.

Hughie organised rallies to try and save the much-used and appreciated town residential care home Edenside, which was shut in 2015 following flood damage and remained permanently closed despite a vocal campaign urging Cumbria County Council to keep it open.

He also championed the saving of the town’s weir — which is still standing — when it was threatened with removal by the authorities because of costly necessary repairs.

Hughie was a town councillor from 1983, serving as mayor and chairman of the council twice, from 1996-97 and 2015-16. He was father of the council from 2016.

“In council, during debate, his wry and very clever sense of humour used to make up one of the few highlights of what at times can often be dull or boring dialogues,” recalled John. “He was a man of action and didn’t suffer fools gladly, but his heart was always in Appleby. If it benefited the town or townsfolk, then Hughie would throw himself into the task of making it happen, but in a quiet way.

“He will be very much missed by many of his friends and many organisations here in Appleby.”

Born in 1950, Hugh Richard Potts had an elder sister, Joan, and a brother, Frederick, who died as a child in a tragic drowning.

He was educated at St Michael’s, Chapel Street, and the town’s grammar school before joining a long-established family building business. In doing so he followed in the footsteps of his great-grandfather George, grandfather Frederick and father Frederick Stanley.

As a youngster he learned much from his father, who was a fire chief, bandmaster and captain of the town’s football and cricket teams, and died when Hughie was aged just 13. Hughie’s mother had died several years before.

Upon leaving school at the age of 14, he trained as a plasterer at Carlisle College and honed other skills before formally taking charge of the family firm aged 21. At that time there were almost a dozen employees whose jobs included carrying out maintenance work for Westmorland County Council, at police and fire station buildings, and also the British Gypsum site in Kirkby Thore.

A gifted plasterer, Hughie went to great lengths to ensure his work was carried out to perfection and his high standards bar was later passed down to sons Freddie and Kenny when they joined the firm.

In 1972, Hughie was married at Warcop church to Anne Peart, of Sandford, and the couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in May this year.

A keen sportsman in his youth, Hughie played in the historic Waitby Cup, for Musgrave, and later became a proud supporter and sponsor of town teams, including the football and cricket clubs, along with scouts and brownies.

He followed the lead of his grandfather, father and sister by playing brass instruments for Appleby Borough Band, enjoying a stint as bandmaster. He also played with Hawes Brass Band.

He played carols on Christmas Day alongside his dad and sister to members of the community even before opening his Christmas presents and took an active part in Remembrance Sunday parades both in Appleby and surrounding villages.

He played darts but had a far greater passion for dominoes, helping the Kings Head pub team to trophy successes.

He organised games of quoits, was a great supporter of Appleby Carnival and represented Bongate as they enjoyed a friendly tug-of-war rivalry with their “town” rivals.

During his second term as mayor, Hughie attended a Queen’s garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Hughie is survived by his wife, Anne; sister, Joan; sons Freddie and Kenny, their respective partners Nickie and Tracy, and grandchildren Maisy, aged 16, and Rogan, 13. Nickie also has two sons, Kieran and Josh, and Tracy has a son, Kieran. Freddie’s late wife was Laura.

Hughie’s funeral took place on Friday November 25 at St Lawrence’s Church, Appleby, followed by a private burial.

Arrangements were by Jill Glencross independent funeral directors, of Dalston.

Donations in Hughie’s memory can be made to Cancer Research UK, North West Ambulance Service and Eden Valley Hospice.

Related Posts

MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges
Latest

MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

20 June 2025
Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days
Latest

Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

20 June 2025
Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith
Latest

Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

20 June 2025
Pub landlord must remove Covid canopy
Latest

Pub landlord must remove Covid canopy

13 June 2025
Former Appleby mayor Frank Harland
Obituaries

Former Appleby mayor Frank Harland

6 June 2025
Honorary assistant bishop Geoffrey Hewlett Thompson
Obituaries

Honorary assistant bishop Geoffrey Hewlett Thompson

6 June 2025
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Most popular

Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

20 June 2025
Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

20 June 2025
Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

20 June 2025
Award for Eden writer

Award for Eden writer

20 June 2025
MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

20 June 2025
Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

15 June 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Logo

33 Middlegate
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 7SY

Phone: 01768 862313
Email: news@cwherald.com

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190
VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • News
  • Sport
  • Farming
  • Property
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Your view

Useful links

  • Contact us
  • Photosales
  • Online archive
  • Buy your paper
  • Digital edition
  • North Lakes Living
  • Advertise
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2025

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
Review Your Cart
0
Discount
Add Coupon Code
Subtotal
Total Installment Payments
Bundle Discount
Checkout

 
0
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • more
    • North Lakes Living
    • Buy Photos
    • Buy your paper
    • About us
    • Contact us

© 2020 Cumberland & Westmorland Herald