²ÝÁñÉçÇø

In Your Field: James and Isobel Wright - 'If you are concerned about your health, do not wait'

On July 6, I spoke to my father, Andrew Wright, about the grandchildren and the pending Somerton and Frome by-election.

clock • 2 min read
In Your Field: James and Isobel Wright - 'If you are concerned about your health, do not wait'
On July 7, I woke up to a phone call from my brother that Dad had a heart attack and died in hospital overnight. I couldn't believe it - I was floored.
What followed was a whirlwind as we tried to piece together how a 64-year-old had died so suddenly, with what we felt was without warning.
It transpired that Dad had been unwell for a couple of days but not told anyone, typical of him and his generation. By the time he went to the GP, despite being immediately rushed to hospital, and with the best efforts of everyone involved, it was too late.
The sudden loss is something we will have to learn to live with.
My father never wanted me to go into farming. When I told him I had bought two pigs with my student loan in my final year of university, he was not pleased.
The pressure not to farm is probably the reverse of what many farmers put on their sons and daughters to farm. An irony which didn't escape us.
When my dad visited me at my first farmer's market with my hog roast machine, I think he finally understood the joy of growing something and feeding people.
After that, he became incredibly supportive. We couldn't have achieved half of what we have without his support in reading business plans, being on the end of the phone, and even being practical, helping move sheep, check cows and looking after the dogs.
My father spent 45 years in the oil industry, working right up to his final morning. When I was younger he would travel a lot, which meant I did not see him as much as I would have liked.
It is why I treasure most the last three years that he spent as a kind, caring and adoring grandfather. If you met him he would likely talk to you about Arthur and George's latest antics.
It is these memories I will remember the most fondly.
If you are reading this and are concerned about your health, do not wait. If you have chest pains and shortness of breath, dial 999. Don't put your children through what we have been through; make the time for a health check.
Your GP surgery can signpost you to the most appropriate place to do that. Life is too short and too precious to leave it up to chance.

More on In your field

In your field: Alan Carter - "Family farms are special... I realise I am only in this position because of the hard work of previous generations"

In your field: Alan Carter - "Family farms are special... I realise I am only in this position because of the hard work of previous generations"

Alan Carter farms in partnership with his parents, Paul and Christine, on a 162-hectare (400-acre), 400-cow dairy unit at Constantine, Cornwall, with 130 milking cows, supplying Saputo. Alan, also a Parish Councillor, and his wife Sarah, have two children, Ross and Dana

clock 06 November 2024 • 3 min read
 In your field: James and Isobel Wright - "Those in rural Britain can actually define what a 'working person' is"

In your field: James and Isobel Wright - "Those in rural Britain can actually define what a 'working person' is"

James and Isobel, with their two young children, recently bought their first farm, and plan to run beef and sheep over 13.8 hectares (34 acres), renting a further 44.5ha (110 acres). James works for tech firm Breedr as a product manager. You can follow them on Twitter @jpbwfarm

clock 30 October 2024 • 2 min read
In your field: James Robinson - "Whatever colour badge they wear, MPs are there to represent us"

In your field: James Robinson - "Whatever colour badge they wear, MPs are there to represent us"

James farms Dairy Shorthorns east of Kendal, Cumbria, with his parents Kathleen and Henry, wife Michelle and sons Robert and Chris. The fifth generation to farm at Strickley, he is also vice-chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network

clock 28 October 2024 • 3 min read