Retired policeman Joe Eland, of Penrith, has died, aged 89.
One of four children of the late Fred and Lizzie Eland — who ran a well known fish and chip shop in Penrith — he had two sisters, Maureen and Patricia, and a brother, Peter. He also spent some time in his early years with his grandmother, Brigid, who lived in Cleator Moor, which in those days was accessible by train.
After completing his education at Penrith’s old Boys’ Council School, the young Joe carried out his national service with the RAF, after which he joined the Cumberland and Westmorland Constabulary. He went on to spend his whole working life with the force, serving in Shap, Whitehaven and Penrith.
While at Penrith he spent much of his time with the traffic division, based at Carleton Hall, and later told many dramatic stories about the times he and his colleagues rescued motorists stranded in snow at Stainmore, Shap and Alston Moor.
Away from work, he coached at Penrith Swimming Club for many years and in the 1970s was instrumental in its team winning their first ever county championship. He treated everyone with the same firmness and passion from the poolside, with many of these swimmers becoming individual county champions and going on to do well at northern counties and national levels. Many of his pupils said the discipline of Joe’s early morning training sessions, five days a week, gave them confidence which proved of great value in later life.
It was in 1959 that he married Audrey Harrison, a farmer’s daughter from Rosgill, and they went on to enjoy 65 happy years together. They celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with family at Penrith’s George Hotel.
Joe and Audrey had three children, Yvonne, Derek and Susan. When the children were young, Joe converted an old bread van into a camper, complete with a top box sleeping compartment which caused much comment during family holidays around the country — including the Scottish Highlands, a favourite area.
Having started riding motorbikes as a young officer at Shap, Joe maintained a lifelong interest in these and also in cars. He also enjoyed collecting wood for open fires, ranges and stoves. When the family lived at Pooley Bridge in the 1980s, he spent many happy hours collecting windfall wood on Dunmallard hill, with permission from the landowner.
He loved walking the fells — especially around Ullswater — with his dogs, which included many Lakeland terriers, mostly called Mac, a couple of black Labradors and a Patterdale terrier, also named Mac.
After Joe retired, he and Audrey moved to Scotland to live at her family farm near West Linton. As well as continuing to collect wood, he delivered eggs for the family business, including to companies in Edinburgh and across the border counties.
He was an active member of West Linton Bowling Club, twice serving as its president. He was fond of regaling guests at social events with his rendition of Flower of Scotland, especially when, as was often the case, he was the only person who knew all the words.
Joe and Audrey loved their holidays. After the children grew too big for the camper van it was replaced by a tent and the family went on to make many trips to the South of France for beach holidays by the Mediterranean.
When the children left home, the couple turned to cruises and travelled to destinations including America, the Caribbean and the Baltic. It was during a visit to the Baltic that they arrived 12 hours too late for the boat leaving for Leith and had to fly via London and Copenhagen to get back to their cruise.
It was in 2020 that Joe and Audrey returned to live in Penrith. He continued to enjoy walking his dogs, seeing family and friends and growing tomatoes.
He is survived by his wife Audrey, Penrith; sister Maureen, also Penrith; daughters Yvonne, Sheffield, and Susan, Spain; and son Peter, Holland. He had five grandchildren, Rebecca, Zoe, Katherine, Sophie and Harry, and one great-grandchild, Gigi.
His funeral service is to be held at St Andrews Church, Penrith, on Tuesday, 14th May, at 1-30pm. Walkers Funeral Directors have charge of arrangements.
