YOUNG farmers in Cumbria have been paying tribute to a man who trained generations of stockmen and women, Willie Bendle, who has died.
Mr Bendle, who was in his eighties and from Scaleby, was a life vice president of the Federation of Young Farmers Clubs and a former Cumbria Young Farmers’ president.
He was made an honorary life vice president of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs in 2014 for his 35-year contribution to the movement for 35 years.
A spokesman said that the federation “sends its condolences to Willie’s family and friends and our thoughts are with all current and former YFC members throughout Cumbria.
“We know Willie will be greatly missed.”
Jan Davinson, a former chief officer of the Cumbria Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, described Mr Bendle as a ‘true gentleman farmer’.
“He was always very supportive of YFC and shared his knowledge and stockmanship skills with hundreds, possibly thousands, of young farmers, both in Cumbria and nationally,” she said.
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