A COTHERSTONE farmer and businessman, described as a true dales gentleman, has died aged 82.
Keith Lamb was the third generation of his family to have farmed at Doe Park.
He was born at the farm, in what was formerly the North Riding of Yorkshire, on August 9, 1937. He was the only child of Cory and Audrey Lamb.
He went to Cotherstone school and then to the North Eastern County School , now known as Barnard Castle School.
He left further education, and the possibility of a professional career, because of his commitment to his parents and the farm. Mr Lamb lost his mum when he was 23 and his dad at 26.
He met his future wife, Muriel, at a young farmers’ dance and the couple married on May 25, 1973.
Mr Lamb diversified the farm in 1981 when he started a small certified caravan club site. His family said: “He expanded the site over the years until it reached its current level in 1998 when he was 61.
“Retirement for Keith was not a word he understood well, and even when he was no longer physically involved in the running of the farm his interest never faded, and his input and knowledge were invaluable.”
Mr Lamb was renowned for his love of ornithology and knew all local bird species by sight and song.
Visitors to the caravan park were often delighted to be directed to the woods or meadows to find a tree creeper or a red shank.
Away from the farm, Mr Lamb was a devoted member of the Methodist chapel, where he was a steward and chaired many guild meetings during the week between Sunday services.
He was also a dedicated chairman of Cotherstone Village Hall, and served as a trustee on a number of local charities. His family added: “Keith was a true dales gentleman and well respected in the local community. Visitors to the site loved to chat to him and over the years would become real friends. Keith gave time to all and it was that trait that undoubtedly had caravanners return year on year.”
Mr Lamb died on Wednesday, March 11.
He is survived by his wife, Muriel, sons Stephen and Philip and their wives, Alison and Jennie, and his grandchildren, Emily and Harold.
