The Norfolk dairy farmer, 86, was a leading member of the NFU for over 50 years and was well known nationally for his work on behalf of the industry. He served on the NFU’s dairy committees at county, regional and national level.
He also served as county chair in 1991, a key year as the NFU was closing county offices to implement regionalisation.
Recalling that challenging period, he said: “At my first executive meeting there was a resolution that Norfolk should withdraw from the national organisation and go on its own.
"We managed to win the day"
“We had visits from the great and the good of the NFU over that period, all wanting us to stay within the national umbrella. Personally I felt that NFU Norfolk would not be able to replicate the advice and services that the national NFU offered. I just didn’t feel it was viable.
“I suppose I did enough to persuade people who may have been sitting on the fence to change their minds and we managed to win the day. That was important as I know that Cornwall was considering withdrawing as well, with members there waiting to see what decision Norfolk reached.”
Mr Brigham’s family has farmed in and around Lyng for generations.
After leaving school, he didn’t immediately go into farming as he was interested in engineering, but returned to the family farm in the early 1960s. He joined the NFU Dereham branch with near neighbour Peter Thomas, both later becoming branch chairs.
With his two brothers, Eddie and John, he built up an arable and dairy enterprise. Dairying was the key enterprise at Walnut Tree Farm until 2025 when the pedigree Holstein Friesian herd was sold.
GM maize trial destroyed
The farm hit the headlines in 1999, when Greenpeace activists destroyed a GM maize trial.
Mr Brigham recalled: “I remember walking into a room of Norfolk farmers after that and they all applauded me. We had been participating in a legal trial and there was no question that farmers and the NFU were behind me.”
Mr Brigham achieved five decades of service at the Royal Norfolk Show and was heavily involved in local affairs, including as parish council chair and managing the village hall.
Married in 1967, he is survived by Carol, son Philip and daughter Sarah, two granddaughters and a great-granddaughter.
A great stalwart of the NFU
Norfolk dairy farmer Ken Procter said: “William was a great stalwart of the NFU having served as county chair and chair of the East Anglian dairy board.
“His forthright manner and his ability to understand a subject immediately was what I really admired and his degree of honesty was second to none. He worked tirelessly for agriculture and will be sadly missed by Norfolk farmers.”
A service of thanksgiving and memorial service for William Brigham will be held on Monday 9 February, 2pm, at St Margaret's Church, Lyng.