David Ritchie | Stalham Farmers' Club | Leading speakers from the agricultural industry.




David Ritchie, farmer and club president

Norfolk farmers’ leader, countryman and charity fund-raiser, David Ritchie, was described as a “Flower of Scotland” at a service of thanksgiving.

Hundreds of mourners from across the county packed St Catherine’s Church, Ludham, on Friday, November 21 and heard about his farming career of more than 64 years. His daughter, Marion Alston, and a former Norfolk NFU chairman William Donald also read tributes. 

Mr Ritchie, president of Stalham Farmers' Club, had been a key member of the  Norfolk  arm of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution for more than 25 years. His idea of an eve-of-show cocktail party in 1985 was to become a big fund-raiser over the years.

David Laurie Ritchie, who was 82, died at his Broadland home. When his parents, William and Helen Ritchie moved to  Norfolk  and took the tenancy at Ludham Hall in 1948, he threw himself into dairying. His decision to disperse the Womack pedigree herd of British Friesians (later  Holsteins ) after half a century in milk production was one of the most painful in his career.

As chairman of Norfolk NFU from February 1985, he had reduced his herd from about 300 to 260 cows to meet Europe ’s new milk quota rules, imposed the previous April.

He campaigned passionately to protect Broadland from flooding, frequently voicing concerns at NFU executive meetings in  Norwich . An influential member of the Environment Agency’s land drainage panels, he pressed to safeguard vulnerable areas from sea and coastal flood damage.

He was chairman of Norfolk British Friesian Breeders’ Club in 1972 and also regional chairman of the NFU’s milk committee in the early 1990s.

A keen member of Stalham Farmers’ Club, he was the tenth president in the club’s 174-year history when elected in 2010. He had been chairman in 1972.

Married in April 1958 to farmer’s daughter, Marion Paterson, they had two children. Their son Laurie predeceased.

He leaves a widow, Marion, daughter, Marion, and four grandsons, John and Adam Alston  and Robert and Samuel Ritchie, who all read tributes to their grandfather.

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Farmers’ leader, countryman and charity fund-raiser for the agricultural industry, David Ritchie, has died at his Broadland home aged 82.

He was a key member of the Norfolk arm of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution for more than 25 years.

His idea for an eve-of-show cocktail party helped to raise more than £100,000 for the charity. Next year, his brainchild will mark its 30th anniversary at the Norfolk showground.

His secret recipe of the infamous brew, prepared in a dustbin in 1985, can finally be revealed – white wine, liberal amounts of brandy, sherry and a little lemonade. His wife, Marion, turned her fingers red, sticking cherries on cocktail sticks.

David Laurie Ritchie came to Suffolk at the age of three; the fourth youngest son of five, from Sterlingshire. The family left Head of Balglass in 1935, hiring a train to move lock, stock and barrel to the nearest railway station at Haughley. William and Helen Ritchie’s then only daughter, then a year old, travelled with the milking cows, farm tackle and furniture. Later, two more daughters and a son were born.

Always determined to farm, he went to school at Debenham and won a scholarship to Stowmarket. Although the classroom was never his forte, he did learn a single sentence of French.

When his parents moved to Norfolk and took the tenancy at Ludham Hall in 1948, he threw himself into dairying. Gradually, he built up the enterprise, partly because there were about 800 acres of marsh grazing. His decision to disperse the Womack pedigree herd of British Friesians (later Holsteins) after half a century in milk production was one of the most painful in his career.

As chairman of Norfolk National Farmers’ Union from February 1985, he had reduced his herd from about 300 to 260 cows to meet Europe’s new milk quota rules, imposed the previous April.

He campaigned passionately to protect Broadland from flooding, highlighting his concerns at NFU executive meetings in Norwich. An influential member of the Environment Agency’s land drainage panels, he argued vehemently for investment to safeguard vulnerable areas from sea and coastal flood damage.

He was chairman of Norfolk British Friesian Breeders’ Club and also regional chairman of the NFU’s milk committee in the early 1990s.

A supporter of co-operatives, he was a founder member of potato marketing group, Anglian Produce. He became chairman of the Marsham local committee of Eastern Counties Farmers, then the country’s largest farm cop-op, in April 1975.

A keen member of Stalham Farmers’ Club, he was the tenth president in the club’s 174-year history when elected in 2010. Chairman in 1972, his son held the same post a quarter of a century later.

He was thrilled to win the Cantley Cup as the club’s best overall beet grower in 2012.

He won Stalham’s barley cup in 1970 and 1971 and then three times in succession between 1973 and 1975, later re-presenting the trophy.

He was a chairman of Norfolk farming discussion group, the Mardlers, and a president of the Caledonian Society.

Married in April 1958 to farmer’s daughter, Marion Paterson, they had two children. Their son Laurie predeceased.

A parish councillor at Ludham for about 40 years, he was a long-serving chairman. A trustee of the village hall and of Womack Staithe, he was involved in other local charities.

He was chairman of Ludham Bowls’ Club and president of the local fishing club. He played rugby for Norwich and was a good tennis player with a devastating left-handed serve.

A keen shot and countryman, and Norwich City season ticket holder, he especially enjoyed the company of his grandsons.

A service of thanksgiving will be held at St Catherine’s Church, Ludham, on Friday, November 21, at 2pm.

He requested that donations for RABI or the Norfolk-based charity to raise concerns about mental health issues, YANA (You Are Not Alone).

He leaves a widow, Marion, daughter, Marion and son in law Jim, and grandsons, John, Adam, Robert and Samuel, and daughter in law, Alison.