Farmer Harold’s country send-off

A huntsman leads the funeral procession outside Saddleworth Parish Church

A plaintIVE note from a hunting horn sounded a farewell at the funeral of one of Saddleworth’s most respected farmers.

Harold Crowther (81), who farmed 12,000 acres of land above Dovestone with his family, was a lifelong member of the Pennine Foxhounds.

And one of their members, John Weller, wearing a bright red tunic, headed a procession of family mourners and friends with two pairs of fox hounds to Saddleworth Parish Church and later to the committal at the church cemetery in Gellfield Lane.

The service was conducted by the Rev Canon John Sykes, retired chaplain to the Queen, who told the congregation: “Harold was a very well-respected member of the farming community in Saddleworth.

“He was a man who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, including poetry, and he loved his family.”

His son Christopher said: “Dad loved the land and his sheep. He has left a fine legacy of farming.”

Among the mourners was a detachment from Oldham Mountain Rescue team, headed by their leader, Mick Nield.

He said: “Harold and his family have been big supporters of Mountain Rescue over the years.

We offer our sincere condolences.

During the service soloist Andrew Rogers sang “The brown hare of Whitebrook Head,” a song written by local poet Ammon Wrigley.

Mr Crowther, a widower, also had a butchery business in Greenfield and Mossley.

He is survived by his son Christopher, his wife, Alison, and their children James, Christopher and Claire.