Cumbria lost a true gentleman and lover of the natural world with the death of Victor Gubbins, of Eden Lacy, near Lazonby, aged 85.
Victor was known for his ability to get on well with virtually anybody he met, as well as his interest in country sports and dedication to enhancing the environment.
One of two children of Major Bill Gubbins and his wife Marjorie, he had a brother, John. Like his father before him, Victor was educated at Sherborne School, Dorset.
After leaving school he carried out his national service with a cavalry regiment, the Blues and Royals, spending some time in what was then West Germany, where strong NATO forces were stationed to counter the threat posed by the old Soviet Union.
He formed many lasting friendships during his time in the Army and acquired interests which did much to shape his life, including a love of horses. He was a reservist for some time after returning to the civilian world.
He went on to farm at Eden Lacy — which his parents had bought in 1931, before his birth — and then attended the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester, where he qualified as a chartered surveyor.
After returning to the Eden area he supplemented his income from farming by working for local firm J. David King, running its Penrith office for a time, and later worked for a longer period for fine art auction house Christie’s. He discovered a number of rare paintings and other gems during his time as a regional representative for the firm.
It was in London that he met his future wife, Sarah-Anne Bigland, from the Kendal area, and the couple were married in 1960. They went on to have three sons, James, Nico and also Rupert, who sadly died in infancy.
The family at first lived in Little Salkeld and later at Hunter Hall, Great Salkeld, before moving to Eden Lacy following the death of Victor’s father in 1979.
Victor continued to run the farm at Eden Lacy, as he had over the preceding years, with his primary concern being the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment. He planted a great many trees on his land, and loved to see birds, fish and mammals thrive — although not the invasive grey squirrels which threaten to drive out the native reds.
He served as a director of Eden Rivers Trust up to 2008, and was proud to receive a certificate of merit for his conservation work at Eden Lacy in the 2003 Purdey Awards.
He always enjoyed shooting and fishing — especially the latter as the years advanced — and fished all over the world as well as on his beloved River Eden. He particularly enjoyed fishing on Scottish rivers.
He was a devoted supporter of the Ullswater Foxhounds and this interest brought him into contact with many hill farmers, who he greatly enjoyed talking with.
Another of Victor’s great interests was horse racing and other equestrian pursuits. Like many who had served with the Blues and Royals he was asked to act as a steward at the Horse of the Year Show, and went on to carry out the same role over many years at the Carlisle, Cartmel and Haydock racecourses.
He was involved with running the Lowther driving trials in the early years of the event, with one of the memorable spectacles he organised there being a camel race. He twice helped look after the Queen when she visited the trials.
He also helped look after royal visitors to Cumbria, including princesses Diana and Anne, when he served as high sheriff of the county in 1987. He was on the committee of Grasmere Sports and served as its chairman.
In his retirement, Victor became passionate about his walled vegetable garden and loved providing family and friends with produce from it.
His wife Sarah-Anne died last September. He is survived by his sons James and Nico. He had one granddaughter. Walker’s Funeral Directors, Penrith, have charge of the arrangements.
