The Society is sad to learn of the death of John Backhouse of the Raincliffe herd, who passed away on Tuesday 9 March.

John was President of the Society in 2010 and 2011 and was a long standing Council member. He was a Society panel judge and was also an inspector for the RBST Show & Sale when it was at Stoneleigh.

A fuller tribute to John will be posted in due course.

The Society’s sincere condolences go to his family and wide circle of friends.

John was a prolific poet (under the nom de plume Rural Peasant) and one of his poems was included in his funeral service. It is reproduced by kind permission of his family – I’m sure many people will relate!