John Francis Hill, Esq.

John was born on the 28th of August 1944, the only son of Jack and Peggy Hill.  He grew up with his sister Margaret in a happy, loving home in Sutton Coldfield.  The fifties was a period of great austerity, but he was encouraged to play sports such as tennis, table tennis and golf and enjoyed numerous activities with the scouts and Church Youth Club. He learnt the meaning of work at an early age by running two paper rounds. He was always at ease with animals and it soon became apparent that he wished to become a farmer – not an easy task for a Bank Manager’s son. By the age of 15 he had left home in pursuit of this career, working on local farms before attending Harper Adams College.  After leaving college, he ran a relief milking service and after a long period of working for Dave and Marjorie Habberfield secured a post as Farm Manager to Metford and Dinah Jeanes. A lifelong admiration developed between to two men allowing Metford to pursue his many farming businesses and John to hone his farming skills. He later became a partner in the business and was always grateful to Metford and Dinah for giving him such a wonderful opportunity.

John loved every aspect of farming. He was a perfectionist in many ways with an eagle eye. He enjoyed the look, the feel, and the smell of cattle. He immersed himself in their pedigrees and bred many superb animals. Every new birth was a wonder to him. His interest in cattle enabled him to travel to North America and Europe. We rarely holidayed in countries that did not breed Holsteins.

He loved learning the physical skills and was at his happiest with a spade or sickle working on hedgerows and he planted huge areas of trees and hedges, delighting at the increase in the birds and insect life which resulted from these labours.

He was equally at ease on a tractor and strove to grow excellent crops. He studied weather maps enabling him to plan his harvests accurately. He marvelled at the night sky, following its changes. He understood the delicate balance between man’s activities, animal and plant life and strove to enhance it. Always willing to learn more from his surroundings.

He loved the seasons, the emergence of spring, the summer crops, the autumn leaves, and the cold of winter. He would be fascinated by the emergence of snowdrops today.

John loved the characters of farming, the stories, and the gossip.

He loved it all and was so thankful that the job he loved was his way of life and on his doorstep.

He adored his family and was exceptionally proud of them all – I will not elaborate here for I think they know this in their hearts.

Then there were his other interests. John loved all sports. He was highly competitive and played snooker for Stockland Men’s Club, Cricket for Holford and the Flying Geese, Golf at Enmore, and Skittles for the most disreputable farmers team on the Quantocks. Even when ill health prevented him from pursuing these activities, he continued to watch them on TV and applauded Exeter Chiefs recent victories.

Then there was John the dog lover, trainer, and breeder. John the Art Connoisseur, John the Antique collector, specialising in Royal Worcester. John the music lover, with a taste ranging from the Eagles and the Rolling Stones to High Opera.

John had an eye for design. Remodelling Peadon and Colehill Farm even down to the layout of the garden.

And then there were the cars…

He was an honest, decent, and generous man who enjoyed good food and fine wine and entertaining his friends and family.

His was a full life – a life lived well. He added colour to our lives for which we, as a family will be eternally grateful.