A highly respected farmer who loved people and liked getting things done has died.
Michael Holliday, a former vice-chairman of Eden District Council and prominent businessman, passed away at his home in Langwathby. He was 85.
He was a high-profile figure in the Eden Valley and beyond for many decades, with leading roles in agriculture, local government and his community.
Michael lived and farmed at Town Head Farm, in Langwathby, where he was associated with the parish council for more than 30 years.
Michael was the eldest son of John Benson and Jessie Holliday. He was born at Brunswick Square Nursing Home in Penrith on 28th July, 1938. His childhood revolved around family and the chapel — threads woven through his life.
He attended Langwathby Primary School before following in his father’s footsteps and going to Brookfield — a Quaker boarding school at Wigton. He excelled at cricket and rugby, though he much preferred football to rugby. In the summer of 1954, at the age of 16, he returned home to follow a career in farming, which was always his first love.
In September of the following year, Michael attended a nine-month agricultural course at Newton Rigg College and came out as top student. This led to a course in advanced farm management, along with 12 other students from around the country. On completion they formed the worshipful company of farmers, meeting annually at Woburn to share best practice.
It was at Kirkoswald Methodist youth guild that Michael met his future wife, Jean Todd. Married in August, 1966, they went on to have four children — John, Mark, Tim and Philip — and 12 grandchildren.
Michael took over the reins at Town Head Farm in 1976, following his parents’ retirement. He followed the family tradition of public service as parish councillor for 35 years. For many years he was the public speaker at Langwathby May Day, for which Jean was pianist and maypole dance teacher. Michael was a member of the NFU all his working life and chair of the Penrith branch, as well as serving on the county’s executive committee. He stood as an independent Eden councillor in 1992 and rose to become the authority’s vice-chairman — receiving a services to the community award in 2018.
All through his life, sport and faith played a great part. He was wicketkeeper-batsman for Edenhall Cricket Club for 21 seasons and played football for Kirkoswald. He also led as Sunday School teacher in Langwathby before becoming a fully accredited lay preacher, serving for 40 years. When Michael suffered a stroke in 2017, which impaired his speech, his wife was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Jean died from a stroke in June, 2020. Michael made a decent recovery and still followed Carlisle United into his 80s.
“He was the voice of reason, which held our family together — consistent in his ability to see the positives,” said John, who added “Father left the world as he would have wanted. With a life fulfilled and at peace.”
Michael is survived by his sons, their families, his brother Andy and sister Margaret. Donations in his memory for Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland can be sent care of Walker’s Funeral Directors, Penrith.
