Funeral arrangements now confirmed
The Ollerton family have requested no flowers at the funeral but donations, if desired, should be made to Diabetes UK or The British Heart Foundation care of Hedley Jackson Funeral Directors, 48/52 Rochdale Road, Shaw, Oldham, OL2 7SA. Further enquiries to Hedley Jackson Dip F.D on 01706 847 422.
Former NFU Lancashire County Chairman Fred Ollerton has sadly passed away at the age of 64.
The popular arable grower from Standish near Wigan died of a heart attack on Wednesday 4 July whilst on holiday with wife Denise in Banff, Canada where they’d travelled with other farmers to watch the Calgary Stampede.
Fred was repatriated on Friday 13 July and preparation for his funeral will begin soon.
A farmer with an eye for a deal, Fred will be remembered by many for always having his phone glued to his ear. His business, FA Ollerton and Sons, is completely unrecognisable from the day he started farming there 44 years ago. Home Farm in Standish now incorporates 2,000 acres of land which is dedicated to growing wheat, barley, oilseed rape, fodder beet, potatoes and grass for all the big international buyers. His legacy will live on in his son Antony and nephew Robert and his brother George.
Remembering Fred his wife of 34 years, Denise said: “Fred was an absolutely terrific farmer and trader. We were in a bar in Barbados once and he got talking to a Welsh couple. Little did I know that they were farmers and within an hour he was on the phone back to Antony at home to set up a deal to sell them fodder beet. That was Fred. He was a decision maker who was never afraid to take a chance. I sent him to Ainscough Building Supplies once for two taps and he came back having bought 25 acres of land. That was just the way he was.”
A staunch supporter of YFC, NFU, the Liverpool Agricultural Discussion Society (LADS) and the Wigan Discussion Group, Fred was passionate about giving something back to the industry he was an integral part of.
His son Antony said: “If he had an opinion he would voice it at NFU or YFC meetings but he also had a knack of never falling out with people he disagreed with. Dad was diplomatic and made things happen.”
Fred and Denise
A former Lancashire Federation YFC chairman, president of LFYFC and Northern area, honorary lifetime president of LFYFC and NFU Lancashire County Chairman in 2013, Fred was also honoured recently by the Liverpool Agricultural Discussion Society which made him an honorary life time member for the years he gave the committee and the commitment he gave to the club.
Taken too soon, Fred leaves wife Denise, son Antony, daughter Catherine and grandchildren William and James.
Even though he made it plain he would never retire, Fred, who loved farming, planned on slowing down to allow the younger generation at Home Farm to take on more responsibility, while still being in the background for advice. He had planned to spend more time with Denise away or attending show-jumping events.
Denise added: “Ever the competitor he couldn’t just come and support me, he had to get a horse of his own. Fred would constantly tell us all that his horse was going to be an Olympic winner. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he turns out to be right again.”
NFU North West Regional Director David Hall said: “An ever present at county meetings and unwaveringly loyal to the organisation, Fred will be specifically remembered for being passionate about young people coming into agriculture and giving them a chance to flourish – something he clearly practised himself with the next generation at Home Farm.
“Pleasant, polite and a real gentleman who took an interest in everyone, we’ll miss him here at the NFU.”