Rebekah Housden: Memorial reminds me of preciousness of life
© SolStock/iStockphoto If there was ever a question of how much farming can unite people, the answer is plain to see at any rural funeral.
The loss of a dear friend (for myself, for agriculture and for the area) has brought together a congregation of more than 400 – from all walks of life, from all over the country, and some even from abroad.
And now they are battling for a space in the village hall for a cup of tea and sandwiches.
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It is no secret that farmers are often reluctant to leave the farm when various things can go wrong in the blink of an eye.
But these things will reliably go wrong whether you are there or not, and sometimes other things just matter more.
About 80% of the people paying their respects have agricultural connections.
And while they may differ in age, background, farm type and postcode, the problems echoing round the room are very similar.
Rain, too much or too little. Frost, too much or too little. Dry weather – ok, just too little. Machinery breakdowns. Death, too.
A certain comment catches my ear: “It’s hard to get away because you always feel you should be doing something.”
And this is the real issue – the closer you stand to the black hole, the easier you get sucked in.
This memorial has been for someone dedicated to farming, but even more dedicated to enjoying their life.
Not a party, gathering, meeting, trip or holiday has been missed – and certainly never a milking or harvest.
We in the north of Cumbria owe it to our friend to look after ourselves as dutifully as we care for our farms.
Farmers must put their head above the water – even if it’s going to a funeral.
The reluctance to step away for even a few hours is a major contributing factor to why the levels of mental health problems in agriculture are so alarming.