Well-known farmer dies

He leaves a widow Gwen, whom he married in 1949, and four children, Marian, David, Sally and Michael, and nine grand-children.

Tom was very proud of the achievements of all his children and particularly his grandchildren.

He was born at Springbarn Farm, Lewes, one of 13 brothers and sisters, and was educated at Lewes Grammar School and then went to Plumpton Agricultural College.

Tom started his farming career on the family farm and in 1947 took over the tenancy of a smallholding at Holdings Farm, Kingston, where he established the Springbird herd of British Friesians.

In 1955 he moved to Coombe Farm, Saltdean, dedicating his farming career to his first love breeding black and white cows.

Pioneer

He was one of the early pioneers of using Canadian bloodlines in the 1950s which was very much frowned upon by the Friesian establishment at the time. These policies started to be accepted in the late 1970s and today virtually all breeding is on these lines.

There were many successes at various shows including the South of England and and the Royal. Breeding stock was sold throughout the UK and worldwide.

Tom judged at many shows including the Royal and worked for the Milk Marketing Board as a panel member helping to select bulls in the UK and Canada.

He served several terms on the British Friesian Council, starting in 1966, and was president in 1994.

Tom foresaw the decline in farming incomes as early as the mid-1980s and a decision was made to sell milk direct to the consumer via Coombe Farm Dairies.

Today the milking herd is 260 cows supplying 9,000 houses and businesses in the area.

Sport, particularly football, was an important part of his life. He first played for Lewes Football Club in 1939, and was associated with the club ever since as committee member, vice-chairman and chairman. He was the club's current president.

He attended a majority of matches, the last being on Tuesday evening last week.

He was also involved with Chiddingly Cricket Club where he was a vice-president.

All his life he had been involved with the Ringmer & Lewes Young Farmers' Club, firstly as a member, then club leader and latterly a vice-president.

He was also vice-president of the East Sussex County Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs.

South of England Agricultural Society was another of his interests. He was a member of its council and cattle committee and its deputy president in 1998.

He took seriously his involvement with various organisations and would not be afraid to try new ideas.