Thomas Wannop Fawcett, who has died, aged 82, was born in May, 1942, at Little Blencowe Farm, the first son of Jimmy Fawcett and Molly Wannop.
He had a younger brother, Robson, and three older half-siblings — Dennis, Maurice and James. They were all brought up together as a happy family.
His early childhood was spent at Little Blencowe Farm, which Jimmy and Molly ran in partnership with Molly’s brother, Adam Wannop, who had no children of his own and was a big influence in Tommy’s life.
When Tommy was 10 years old, Molly and Jimmy bought High Barn Farm, at Langwathby, and farmed in their own right. Tommy went to Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith, and was a gifted scholar, good at rugby and long distance running. Wrestling in the Cumberland style was also a big passion.
After O-levels, he elected to go to Newton Rigg College as a residential student and lifelong friends were made. He was a keen member of the Newton Rigg Society.
Sadly, at this time Molly passed away suddenly at a young age. Tommy was sent to Rottington Hall, St Bees, where Billy and Mary Cottam took him in and treated him like a son.
But Tommy had itchy feet and applied for a job in Denmark on a pig farm for a year, with farmer Ole Fries. He loved Denmark and picked the language up in a matter of weeks.
He made lifelong friends whilst on the farm with brothers Palle, Kurt, Oagh and Fleming, their mother Rita also treated him like a son.
Tommy returned to England in 1962 and worked with Geoff Wilcox at Fremington. Tommy and Geoff got on really well and were great friends for the rest of Tommy’s life.
Tom’s uncle, Adam, died suddenly in 1962 and Tom took on Little Blencowe Farm at the age of 20. A daunting task but one he took on with gusto. Unfortunately, shortly after, he had a crash in his Land Rover, breaking a few bones and ending up in Penrith Cottage Hospital.
A young nurse caught his eye, Barbara Holme, and the couple were engaged and married in November, 1963, honeymooning in his beloved Denmark.
Adam came along in August, 1964, Sarah in June, 1966 and Robert turned up in November, 1971.
The farm prospered, dairy, beef and arable with a succession of Newton Rigg students getting their work experience there, many of whom are still in touch with the family today.
In 1974, George Bowman was part of the British Horse Driving team in Switzerland with Prince Phillip and Jack Collinson. Tom was a good friend of George, who he greatly respected.
The Fawcetts were on holiday in Denmark when Tom announced one morning they were going to support the British team in Switzerland, and off they set on a 1,200-mile trip with no plan, a gesture described by his family as “typical Tommy”.
This started his love of carriage driving. He began with Sam, a Welsh cob acquired from George, driven as a single. He took to the sport and became national champion in 1977. He progressed to a tandem with Sam and Alfie, another cob who could be a bit unpredictable. He became a legend as “Tip up Tommy” which happened quite a lot, along with the very vocal arguments he and Barbara had in front of the crowds! He was national champion again in 1979 and ‘81, continuing with various home-bred outfits driving in Europe and America.
He later worked tirelessly as a respected judge and as member of the British Carriage Driving council and organising shows, nationally and locally with the North West Driving Club of which he was a member for over 50 years. Carriage driving was a passion of Tommy’s and one that he passed on to his grandson, Sam.
One of Tommy’s other great interests was Freemasonry. He was a member of Beacon Lodge Penrith for 55 years. He was Master in 1982 and 1983 and made many friendships.
He was also a member of the Ayrshire Society going to Denmark with Adam after foot and mouth to buy Danish Reds to cross breed.
Skelton show was a family tradition for more than 100 years and Tommy joined the committee in 1963 and was chairman in 1980 and continued to support it to this day, along with his family, the majority of whom are still members.
He had his first heart attack when he was 51 but this did not stop him living a full and active life. Despite this, he was an enthusiastic member of the Penrith Wine Club.
Barbara sadly died in 2011 of cancer. They had a happy and argumentative marriage for 48 years — Barbara was always right by the way!
It was a big blow to him, but he found happiness for the second time meeting Elaine in America at a family wedding. They had 10 happy years together, commuting between California and Cumbria. He enjoyed life with Elaine, sharing her passion for gardening with him, which he really enjoyed and took pride in.
Tommy lived life to the full alongside the many friends he made along the way. He was kind, funny, very stubborn sometimes but always a gentleman with a twinkle in his eye and a smile. He adored his grandchildren, was very proud of them all and enjoyed sharing their activities and watching them grow into the strong young people they are today — Thomas, Sam, Esme, Mia, Jack and Ike.
