FAREWELL TO A SUPER BOSS - HENRY (LORD PLUMB OF COLESHILL)

 

Among one of my numerous freelance  jobs working in London (Hansard Parliament) over many years, mainly in central London and Essex, was a fascinating few years working in Queen Anne's Gate, SW1 for the Lord Plumb DL of Coleshill. Very sad to learn of his passing last month aged 97. Born in 1925, Henry had one of the most impressive careers in British agriculture – despite being forced to leave school at fifteen. A past president of the NFU (1970-79), he went on to pursue a career in politics and became the only British president of the European Parliament (1987-89).

Lord Plumb was one of the best employers I was lucky enough to work for and it was a pleasure to meet many of his constituents who came to Westminster during the 1990s. Paying tribute to her predecessor, NFU president Minette Batters said: “British farming has lost one of its greatest ever advocates and the NFU has lost its greatest ever president.”

Henry Plumb’s career began in 1940 when he was taken out of school by his father to help on the family farm at Coleshill, Warwickshire, following the outbreak of the Second World War.

The 120 ha farm – which Henry took on in his own right when his father died in 1952 – included a 200-cow Ayrshire dairy herd, 70 breeding sows and 40 ha of cereals. During the years that followed, Henry pursued a career in agricultural politics, joining the NFU where he was soon elected to its national council. Elected MEP for the Cotswolds in 1979, Henry then went on to become the only Britain to be president of the European Parliament – a post he held until 1989.

Although he retired from politics in 2017, Lord Plumb maintained an active interest in all things farming – including helping youngsters via the Henry Plumb Foundation.In a statement on social media, the foundation said: “We are saddened by the passing of our founder Lord Henry Plumb.

“A remarkable man and great figure of modern times, his tireless work to improve the fortunes of the industry continued with his foundation into his 97th year. A huge life, his vision will continue.”

Lord Plumb was knighted in 1973, made a life peer in 1987 and received a Farmers Weekly Lifetime Achievement award in 2013. He will not be forgotten.