Dr Philip Cleland - funeral arrangements

The Society lost one of it’s most charismatic and supportive members this week with the passing of Dr Philip Cleland of the School Green herd (herd number 68), Kington, Herefordshire aged 86 years.

Philip was well known by many members of the Society as a breeder, a panel judge and as a teller of excellent tales, usually about, but certainly not at the expense of, his numerous patients during his many years as an ‘artisan’ country GP.

Herefordshire born and bred, Philip’s father was a farmer’s son and a career airman who directed the air support off Juno beach in the Normandy landings but died as a result of WWII.  Philip was educated at Cheltenham College thanks to the RAF Benevolent Fund, then he studied medicine at Birmingham University Medical School.  After qualifying he travelled abroad, working in Southern Africa and what was then Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and Cape Town.

Returning to the UK he joined a GP practice on the Welsh Borders and looked after patients for over 30 years. He enjoyed the farming characters that reluctantly presented themselves to him, ‘there’s nothing like telling a farmer at 3am with a heart attack that he ought to be in hospital ,when the reply is that he has cattle to feed in the morning, business to attend to , and he can make it on Friday’!  Such was his popularity as a GP that the whole town of Kington organised a party on his retirement from practice in 2003.

He and his wife Lesley married in 1976 and the house they live in started off as being a small two up two down which was extended as needed.  There are 30 acres of pasture and woodland adjacent to the house and buildings and the Clelands soon decided to buy some Longhorn cattle and establish the School Green herd, with founder cows coming from the Grendon herd.  Charles and Angela Cottrell-Dormer of the Rousham herd were also a useful influence and contact.  To start off with AI was used, and then a Shugborough bull from Alan Cheese.  Over the years they attended many of the RBST sales held at Stoneleigh.

Philip was also on the Society’s judges panel for many years, and always enjoyed the central point of the wellbeing and future of Longhorns, but also the inclusiveness of the members however large their herds or results in the showring. 

In 2013 Philip and Lesley made the hard decision to disperse the School Green herd, selling them as a going concern to Malcolm and Archie Corrie of the Leighton herd near Shrewsbury so the School Green bloodlines continue.

Phillip was the Society’s president in 2016 and 2017, a role which was entered into with his customary gusto and enthusiasm.

Away from the farm Philip travelled with WWII veterans, widows and families to war graves and battlefields as part of the Royal British Legion and Not Forgotten Association as their medical support.  He was a staunch supporter of the Royal British Legion and often took an active part in the Remembrance Day commemorations in Kington.

Philip's funeral will take place at St Mary's Church, Kington, HR5 3AG at 2pm on Monday 2 February.

Click here for the formal notice and information about where any donations should be sent.

Click here to livestream the service. Click on the 'live link' button.  The link will go live at 1.45pm