William Young, known as Willie, who farmed at Frenchfield Farm, Carleton, in the past working the fields with his beloved Clydesdale horses, has died at the age of 100.
Born in 1924, the son of William and Jessie Young, his parents initially farmed in Scotland on the Cravens Estate.
When the estate took the farm back under their control, the family decided to move to England, taking up the tenancy at Frenchfield in 1947. Keeping a commercial herd of Ayrshire milking cows and Clydesdale horses on 240 acres, as a young man Willie would often travel to London and Ireland with up to 10 of his horses for sale, going with them to ensure they made the journey in good health.
Twin daughters Dorothy and June recall their dad saying on one occasion he returned with a horse because it was spooked by the city noises. Concerned for its wellbeing he brought it home.
Willie met future wife Connie at her mother’s B&B in Brougham. They were married in 1955 at St John’s Church, Plumpton. Happily married for 66 years, the couple had three children, along with Dorothy and June, the late Brian, and later seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Following the death of his father in 1954, Willie was left the lease and stock of Frenchfield, adding a flock of Mule sheep, buying only the best from local auctions. Dorothy and June’s memories of their dad include his attention to detail with all aspects of the farm: “Such was his mechanical knowledge and practical engineering ability, he could almost make any plough a good one, and his equipment was always the best.”
Dorothy and June also remember Willie’s pride at dressing the farm’s turkeys for Christmas, supplying local customers, including Brookfield, Shap and Shap Wells Hotel.
Horses were kept for Dorothy and June, Willie shoeing them himself, using a blacksmith’s stove.
Willie was also proud of his Allis Chalmers Combine Harvester, and once he had his barley fields harvested, he would help other farmers bring in their crops.
After decades of hard work, Willie retired in 1989, moving to Long Acres. Willie’s hobbies included his cars, a Rover, Saab and also a Mercedes over the years, which he liked to keep spick and span. He also played badminton as a young man and enjoyed snooker and going to the football at Carlisle. In retirement, he was a keen gardener, and was a stickler for weeding under the watchful eye of Connie. He also enjoyed socialising, a regular at Penrith Conservative Club.
Willie’s Scottish roots were evident in his love of Scottish folk music and country dances, and he would enjoy playing tunes on the mouth organ, one of his favourites being the Cuckoo Waltz.
Willie and Connie always enjoyed celebrating special occasions with family and friends, notably their diamond wedding anniversary in 2015 when they were delighted to receive a card of congratulations from Queen Elizabeth II.
Willie also received best wishes from King Charles on the occasion of his 100th birthday.
Willie spent the last year of his life at Appleby Grange where he also liked to assist with the gardening, and was always on hand to entertain residents with his new mouth organ, a gift from his daughters for his 100th birthday, which was celebrated at Appleby with family, residents and staff.
As well as daughters Dorothy Woof, and June Gibson Davidson; Willie is survived by grandchildren Kathleen, Susan, Richard, Craig, Stacey, Sally and Debbie; and great grandchildren, Finley, Imogen, Harry, Amelia, Iona, Rory, Robbie, Sophie, Robbie, Olivia and Harriet.
A service was held at St. John the Evangelist Church, Plumpton on Monday 1st July, Walkers Funeral Directors, Penrith, were in charge of the arrangements.
