A true gentleman with a ready smile, friendly manner and positive attitude is how his many friends in the Cumbrian farming community will remember Jamie Fisher, of Yanwath Woodhouse, who has died at the age of 84.
He was actively involved with many farming organisations but was most closely associated with Penrith show, which he helped to run through most of his life. He was a key member of the group which helped revive the event in 1972 after it had not been held for several years.
Born at Beaconside, Ivegill, William James Fisher, as he was christened, was youngest of the four children of the late Charlie and Lizzie Fisher. He had three sisters, Mary, Elizabeth and Dorothy. The family moved to Mossthorns Farm, Pallet Hill, Penrith, in 1944.
As a child Jamie attended the chapel in Blencowe and later acted as auctioneer at fundraising events there and at the Methodist chapel in Helton.
He received his education at the old Boys’ Council School in Penrith and then attended the nearby Queen Elizabeth Grammar School. He went on to study agriculture at Newton Rigg Farm School, Penrith, which later became Newton Rigg College.
He always remained a keen supporter of Newton Rigg, with students going the short distance from its campus to Mossthorns to do their proficiency tests right up to the time the college closed in 2021.
As a youngster Jamie was a keen member of Penrith Young Farmers’ Club and it was through the YFC movement that he met his future wife Miss Joan Marjorie Mann, from Blencogo, Wigton.
The Fisher family has continued to play an active part in Penrith YFC, with many of its events still being held at Yanwath Woodhouse and Mossthorns.
Other organisations with which Jamie has been involved include the Grassland Society; the 1A1 farmers’ discussion group, which he at one time chaired; the Border Counties Friesian Club; and the Border and Lakeland Holstein Club, of which he was chairman and president.
He also served on and chaired Dacre Parish Council and was chairman of the committee which raised money to build the village hall at Newbiggin, Stainton.
Later in his life Jamie developed an interest in vintage tractors and sometimes acted as a judge at shows of these
vehicles.
It was he who came up with the idea of the dancing tractors which featured at many county agricultural shows in 2009 — including Penrith — causing much amusement and raising a good deal of money for charity.
As a keen and articulate advocate of British farming he contributed to a weekly broadcast on agricultural topics on BBC Radio Cumbria, initially presented by Charles Guest.
However, he was probably most widely known for his long and active involvement with Penrith Agricultural Society. He served as both chairman and president, and other family members continue to be involved with organising its annual show, part of which is held on land tenanted by the family.
Just last year he took an active part in planting a commemorative oak tree to mark 50 years on the show field and to honour the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
Another former show president, Fred Wilson, said: “I’ve been photographing Penrith show for over 40 years and many times I’ve met Jamie there and at other events — he was a top man.
“He was an excellent gentleman and had a very good knowledge of all things agricultural — livestock and machinery. He always had this smile on his face. He was a great stalwart of Penrith show and will be very sadly missed.”
It was for his dedication to and work for the show that in 2005 Jamie was awarded the Blamire Medal, which is presented annually to an individual who has made a major contribution to agriculture in the old county of Cumberland.
Nick Utting, secretary to the Blamire Memorial Trust, said: “Jamie Fisher was a man of the community and a wonderful champion of farming in particular. In 2005 he was awarded the Blamire Medal for his promotion of Cumberland agriculture through his many years of association with Penrith show.
“He regularly used his local show as an opportunity to embrace the local community and explain the importance of our industry.”
Jamie and his wife Marjorie had four children, Jonathan, James, Matthew and Richard. Jamie and family took on the tenancy of Yanwath Woodhouse in 1992. At that time it was a beef and arable enterprise, but the family developed it into a successful dairy farm. Marjorie died in 2011.
Jamie is survived by his sister Dorothy Atkinson, Penrith; sons Jonathan, of Armathwaite, and James, Matthew and Richard, who run the family farms in the Penrith area; and special friend Linda. He had eight grandchildren.
The funeral service was held at Penrith Methodist Church, Wordsworth Street, on Wednesday. Richardsons Funeral Directors, Penrith, had charge of the arrangements.
