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.
