Simon Winter - 30th September 1960 - 25th October 2024
From the Parish News – January 2025.
Simon Frank Winter was born on 30th September1960 to Eddie & Audrey. He spent his childhood, and most of his adult life, at Darrow Green Farm. He was very close to his younger siblings, who found him interesting and fun to be with.
He excelled at school, not only academically but also in music and sport, particularly athletics and swimming. His kind, generous and easy-going personality enabled him to forge strong and enduring friendships; at school, with those he met through work and with those who shared his interests.
After school Simon went to Writtle agricultural college in Essex, including placements at farms in various locations, where, typically, he made many lifelong friendships. Following Writtle, Simon came back to Darrow Green for a time, before taking himself off around the country in various roles, including HGV driving and pipeline laying, making new friends along the way. He returned to the farm in 1986 after Eddie was diagnosed with cancer and from then on was a permanent part of the Darrow Green operation.
Simon was a ladies’ man; often the last one to arrive at a party but always going home with the prettiest woman! In 1992 he married Gayle and in 1993 their daughter, Emily, was born. The marriage did not last but Emily - in Simon’s own words - changed his life for the better, in every department. He was a proud and supportive father with a talent for fun and adventure. The farm and the river became their favourite playgrounds, instilling in Emily a love for both. Simon was inventive, once creating a fully functional swimming pool from straw bales and silage wrap.
In fact, Simon was in his element with a scrap-heap challenge, dreaming up and creating very useful tools from what others considered to be rubbish. He had an ingenious way of being able to build anything, repair any machine and turn his hand to anything. His projects included building the grain store, transforming the old milking parlour into a meat processing unit, and renovating the farmhouse.
Perhaps the biggest repair of his life was the house at Brockdish which he renovated with his friend, Ben. This was a major structural project, stripping it right back to its timber frame, replacing the rotten wood and building it back up from the ground. Simon was incredibly proud of that achievement
He was also a gadget man, introducing cutting-edge machinery of the time such as big tractors, a round baler and a combine harvester. He spent many hours tinkering and crafting in the workshop, patiently sharing his wisdom and resourcefulness with a succession of keen youngsters. He was always generous with his time and resources.
In later life, Simon met Lesley at a school reunion. Together, they relished a good crossword and enjoyed trips to north Norfolk and boating on the Broads. During this time, Dougal joined the family, a massive and lovable Labrador who took on board many of his master’s characteristics, like a love of crisps, sleeping in armchairs and strange nightly adventures (mostly to the pub).
Music was Simon’s other great passion. He taught himself to play several instruments by ear, including the piano, guitar and flute. He had an extraordinary ability to hear all parts of an arrangement and then reproduce them, whether it be folk, rock or classical style. He formed and played with many bands throughout his life, often with his great friend Roy, and most recently with the famous (in Denton at least) Herding Cats.
He also joined the Harleston Players, both treading the boards and playing in their house band. He was keyboard player for the Dentones singing group and the Denton Variety Club pantomimes, picking up the tunes effortlessly and showing endless patience with the less naturally adept. He treasured the friendships he made through all these musical projects and journeys. They were his escape, and time away from the farm and working life.
Many, many people have very fond memories of Simon. His lively interest in people; his amazing musical talent; his mischievous sense of humour; his love of a good roll-up and a beer and not least his uncanny ability to arrive at a bar seconds before last orders were called. His courage and dignity during the final months of his life were a quiet inspiration.
He will be sadly missed, but most of all he will be remembered with love.