Famous Conisborough Farmer

Thomas Stacey (77), died at his home, Butterbusk Farm, Conisboro’, on Saturday morning. Mr. Stacey was one of the best-known farmers in South Yorkshire and a familiar figure at agricultural and horticultural shows throughout the country.

By a strange coincidence he died on his 77th birthday.

He was a native of Conisboro, a son of the late Mr. George Stacey, who lived for many years at Limestone Grange Farm, which he built. In his youth, Mr. Tom Stacey was apprenticed to a butcher at Bentley and acquired his own business at York but eventually returned to Conisboro’ to take up farming, which he has carried on for over 45 years. He commenced farming at Carr Grange Farm, Conisboro’, and removed to Butterbusk thirty years ago. As a breeder of shire horses, he won considerable fame and was frequently exhibitor and judge. In later years he took an interest in the breeding of short horn bulls.

As one of the founders of the Maltby Show, Mr. Stacey took an active part in this annual event, latterly as judge. Among his many successes as an exhibitor, Mr. Stacey won the trophy at the Hackney Show at Doncaster in 1923, the Hallam and Ecclesall Show and the Shire Horse Show. His stables are hung with his many certificates. Throughout his life Mr. Stacey has been a member of the Conisboro’ Wesleyan Church, and for many years a member of the choir. He was in great demand as a vocalist at agricultural dinners.

He leaves three sons. The interment took place at Conisboro’ on Tuesday, the Wesleyan minister (the Rev. W. Baby) officiating. The coffin was borne from the farm on a lorry covered with evergreens and driven by the farm horsemen, Messrs. Pepper and Mawson.

In the cortege were the following mourners: Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Stacey (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. G. Stacey (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Stacey (son and daughter-in-law), Mrs. P. Stacey (daughter in-law), Mrs. Piercy and daughter, of York (sister-in-law), Mr. H. Clayburn (nephew), Mr. and Mrs. C. Oliver, Joan, senr., John Joan junr., Peter, Elsie, Kathleen and Phyllis Stacey (grandchildren) Mr. R. J. Whittingham Cusworth (representing Mr. R. C. Bettie Wrightson, of Cusworth Hall), Miss Brackenbury, Mr. Twigg of Rotherham, Mr. W. Dawson (representing Messrs. Dawson, auctioneers, of Doncaster), Mr. and Mrs. R. Ward of Alverley, Mr. F. Ogley of Conisboro’, Mr. Downing of Wath, Mr. Sutton of Mexborough, Mr. W. Bennan of Doncaster, Mr. Drury of Doncaster, Mr. A Tabor and daughter of Wombwell and Mr. K Stokes (Warmsworth Allotment Association). Farm hands acted as bearers. Floral tokens were received from the following:—Miss Turner, Mr. and Mrs. W. Badger and family, Mr. and Mrs. D. Dunn, of Rotherham, Mr. R. Pepper and family, of Rotherham, Jim, Rosie, Alf and baby, George and Gertie (nephew and niece), Mr. and Mrs. Branby of Doncaster, the Conisboro’ Cliffs Company, Mrs. Roberts, of Conisboro’, Mr. G. Lee and family (nephew), Mr. Albert Tabor and family, Mr. and Mrs. B. Stacey of Mexboro’, Mrs. P. Stacey and family of Alverley, Mr. and Mrs. T. Wroot of Conisboro’ and the Warmsworth Allotment Association.