Christopher Whisker

Former NFU Group SecretaryCHRISTOPHER Whisker's father was an engineer, but Christopher was becoming interested in farming and livestock even as a schoolboy.

Mr Whisker, who has died aged 65, was born at Sutton on Hull, his parents John and Maud owning Sutton Engineering Company.

He went to Hymers College in Hull and during one of the school's fund-raising garden parties won first prize when he was the only contender to knock down the four skittles on a stall. On offer was either 10 or a piglet, and to his father's dismay, he chose the piglet.

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This had far reaching consequences, the first being that he got an after-school job working at the Burrows farm in Sutton.

Unable, for family reasons, to take up the scholarship he won to Cirencester Agricultural College, he instead laid the foundations for his successful Crammond herd of pedigree Large Whites at The Paddocks in Welwick, the place to which his parents had retired.

In 1962, he met Nancy Billany, and in 1967 they were married. Mr Whisker left farming and went to Bishop Burton Agricultural College, being named student of the year in his course on farm management.

This led to the opportunity to apply for the NFU Group Secretary post for Easingwold and Boroughbridge, where he remained for 17 years. During this time he studied for his Insurance Institute exam, gaining his FCII and becoming an active member of the York Insurance Institute.

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In 1987, he bought his own insurance brokerage business, which he sold in 1998, owing to ill health.

During the years he spent in Easingwold, he became involved in the local community, fund raising for the Galtres Centre, becoming a governor of the two local schools, a councillor and treasurer of the local community hospital.

A countryman who loved walking, especially in the Lakes, with a succession of corgi dogs, he much enjoyed company and was devoted to his family. He is survived by his wife Nancy, their daughters Caroline, Rebecca and Abigail, and four granddaughters.

His funeral is on Monday, July 5, at 11am at St John the Baptist and All Saints in Easingwold.

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