The Oxhill News

This months News

Contents

Obituary Tom Fox

Tom died on September 4th.

He took the tenancy of Kirby Farm in 1969. He was a hardworking farmer, dedicated to Kirby Farm. He was very good at public speaking and was well known in the farming world for his lectures to farming groups all over UK. He was a committee member with the Midland Holstein club and at National level. He often did interviews for BBC radio and Television on the subject of milk yields and grassland management. He also completely fooled the farming world when he did an April Fools day interview about a non-existent grass that had exceptional qualities for yield and nutrition. Eminent professors rang the farm the next day for more information!!  A tribute to how he could keep a straight face.

On a personal level he was very involved with football (Thomas) and rugby (Henry, Edward and Robert). He joined the parents committee at King Edwards school Stratford and instigated the international rugby tours.

Tom was born on the small family farm near Pontefract, Yorkshire in 1934. He moved to Quedgeley, Glos when he was 11. He attended the Crypt grammar school but left at 15. He became a very enthusiastic member of the Young Farmers Club. He worked on a local farm for 10 years. His employer helped him to get on the farming ladder by recommending him for a county council small holding tenancy in Pebworth in 1962. 7 years later he moved to Kirby Farm.

He was a larger than life character with a huge sense of humour. He loved meeting people. He hosted many a fundraiser at Kirby for Oxhill playgroup and church.  In retirement he continued to keep pigs and was known locally for his pig roasting enterprise. He also managed several trips to Australia to visit Henry and his family. He was quite dotty about his 9 grandchildren. Although he was unwell for the last 2 years with vascular dementia he was able to enjoy a special day in July when he and Carol celebrated 40 years of marriage.

This site is maintained by villagers of Oxhill for the benefit of the community and those interested in the history, news and activities that make the village such a pleasant place to live.

Last modified: November 08, 2015