Veterinary surgeon

DAVID Jennings, an East Yorkshire veterinary surgeon who specialised in the care of pigs, has died aged 66.

When he first arrived in Yorkshire, it coincided with the 1967 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and practices lent out their assistants. He was sent to Oswestry.

Once a vet had identified an outbreak on a farm he was put in charge of the disposal of the animals. Mr Jennings returned home very upset saying: “I didn’t qualify to kill animals”.

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His experience stood him in good stead when the more recent outbreaks occurred. He spent much time trying to help the farmers, visiting them at all hours of the day and night, ensuring the welfare of the animals, talking to those in authority and even approaching MPs to make sure they understood both the disease and the seriousness of the situation.

It broke his heart to see the plight of the farmers for whom he had a high regard.

Mr Jennings was born in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, in Northern Ireland, He was the youngest of four children of a Methodist minister. Although the family was based in Northern Ireland, all his summers were spent at the family farm, at Maryville in County Cork, which created his great love of the country and agriculture.

He attended Methodist College, in Belfast, where he thrived academically and found a life-long love of rugby, captaining the successful school team.

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After school his obvious choice was veterinary study and he attended the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, Edinburgh.

There he continued playing rugby, representing both the college and Edinburgh University, and gaining his colours.

When he returned to Ireland he played for his Old Boys team, Collegians and also represented Ulster.

After qualifying as a veterinary surgeon in 1965 he joined the research team at Stormont, Belfast, and although he enjoyed his time there he needed to be busy so transferred to general practice.

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In 1967 he moved to East Yorkshire joining Cook and Steel, in Market Weighton. In 1970 he became a partner at Wood, Chinn and partners and on their retirement the practice became Wicstun Veterinary Practice with branches in South Cave and Pocklington.

Although he enjoyed all branches of the profession his main love was the pig industry, and he became a pig consultant resulting in him travelling nationally and internationally.

He loved his job – he lived it. He cared for his clients both pet owners and farmers. He was extremely concerned about the future of agriculture and latterly was advising the farmers to go for a quality product – a prediction in which he has been proved right.

His working life was brought to a sudden end when he needed chemotherapy treatment, but he never lost his interest and concern for agriculture.

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Mr Jennings had many other interests, including wine, a cottage in France where he endeared himself to his farmer neighbours by calving a cow in the middle of dinner.

He played golf both in the UK and in France even persuading the Seniors at his local club to undertake a tour of courses in Brittany,

He was a devoted family man taking great delight in the rugby successes of his sons, Neil and Hugh, and his daughter Karen’s marathon runs which earned her a Great Britain vest.

Mr Jennings enjoyed sharing knowledge whether it was with family, friends, students who visited the practice or, latterly, with student nurses and trainee doctors at Castle Hill Hospital Oncology Unit, Cottingham, near Hull.

He is survived by his wife, Norma, his children, Karen, Neil and Hugh and his five grandchildren.