The death of Thomas Longstaff Balmer occurred at Eden Valley Hospice, Carlisle, after a very short illness.
Thomas was born in Ravenstonedale, the youngest of six sons, and he had two younger sisters who survive him. His mother died when he was four years old.
He attended Ravenstonedale School until the age of 14 and then worked on farms in the village and at Keswick. He worked for the Frankland family, of Bowberhead, Ravenstonedale, for 62 years, first as a farm worker and later as farm manager.
Thomas married Nancy Stainton, from Hebblethwaite Hall, Cautley, in 1957. They had three daughters, Brenda, Valerie and Jennifer; eight grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.
He felt very honoured to have been able to see his grandchildren and great grandchildren growing up and loved to see them.
Thomas and Nancy lived at Piper Hole, Ravenstonedale, for 46 years before retiring to Kirkby Stephen where he continued to work on a part-time basis for the Franklands until a few years ago.
In 1999, Thomas was awarded the MBE for services to traditional farming methods as he worked on a conservation farm. It was a great honour to be receive this from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace as he was a keen royalist.
Thomas was involved in village life at Ravenstonedale, serving on committees of the Young Farmers’ Club, tennis club, reading room, parish council, Newbiggin public hall, Ravenstonedale show and the bowling club for many years. He attended Ravenstonedale Methodist Chapel regularly.
One of his favourite hobbies was playing snooker in the Eden Valley League, which he did for 40 years. Other hobbies were walking, photography, playing Scrabble and gardening. In his later years he spent many hours in his garden — there was always a very colourful display of flowers and not a weed in sight. He never missed an episode of The Archers on the radio on a Sunday morning.
Thomas was very fortunate to have a long and healthy retirement and enjoyed many holidays and rides around the countryside. He celebrated his 90th birthday three weeks before his death.
He was highly thought of in the local community and will be missed by many. This was reflected in the large attendance of family and friends at his funeral.
Donations in his memory amounted to £2,000 which will be split between two charities, which he requested, Breast Cancer Now and the Brain Tumour Charity.
