Lord Bolton - Rt Hon 8th Baron Bolton 1954 - 2023- our local landowner has, sadly, died aged 69. His funeral was held yesterday in the church at Wensley and I am sure the church would have been full to overflowing. He was a much loved and very popular, down to earth man. As a young man he was seen as a dare devil, had a pilot's licence and was also an amateur jump jockey. Together with his eldest son Tom they undertook a lot of restoration work on Bolton Castle - a very prominent landmark in Wensleydale, standing as it does in the tiny village of Castle Bolton, close by the main road through the Dale.
There is a good picture of him in Tatler, which I was hoping to show you here - but is easy to find on the Tatler page. It shows him in a typical Lord Bolton pose - in shirt and working trousers and wellies- pulling a garden roller up and down the lawn they had created just below the semi-ruined castle.
He did a large amount of voluntary work in both Bosnia and Ruanda. Everyone in the Dale will miss him - be it his Tenant Farmers, his Employees, and the ordinary folk in the Dale to whom he was a familiar figure.
His eldest son succeeds him to become 9th Baron Bolton. He is seen around Leyburn and known to all - and much admired. He won The Military Cross in Iraq.
The story I have always loved is that of Polly Peacham's Tower, the ruin of which stands opposite Bolton Hall (driving from Hawes to Leyburn Bolton Hall stands on the banks of the River Ure just before the bridge into the village of Wensley and on the opposite side of the road, high on top of a hill stands a ruined tower. It is said that a earlier Lord Bolton, married to a singer, Lavinia Fenton who was an actress and singer got so tired of hearing her practise her singing that he had a tower built across the road and up the hill so that she could sing there to her heart's content and he couldn't hear her! Nobody knows if this story is true but it is good tale anyway.
I believe the Bolton Tombs rest in a corner of Wensley Church (a redundant church now) in which case I expect that is where he will lie - in peace after his death from oesophageal cancer.
The end of life for a man well and truly admired and loved by all who knew him.
.JPG)
14 comments:
May the Honorable Lord Bolton rest in peace and may more of his 'class' follow his worthy example for the betterment of all.
Hugs!
There was a large obituary about him in the Telegraph a couple of days ago, quite a character.
That’s all we can ask when we die
To be thought of fondly
He must have been a remarkable man and greatly admired. So sad that awful cancer took his life too soon. At least he has no more suffering to endure. My condolences to his family, friends and staff.
There was a lovely obituary in the Times. I remember chatting to him when he was out walking his dog and talking plants with his first wife, who was a keen gardener. We had our wedding reception at the castle fifty-six years ago. In 1972 or 3 there was a two day sale at the hall and along with various Victorian chairs we bought a child's playpen, complete with ceramic abacus. When we got it home and erected it we discovered that it took up almost the entire space in the room! We've still got the chairs but the Victorian playpen is long gone!
LB seems a remarkable man. RIP LB and may your fine example motivate others to follow.
He sounds like an admirable man who will be missed and who did a lot of good. RIP sir and may your son and family continue your work and attitude.
I like to read about people doing their best to make a difference. I hope his son learned well.
It's good to hear of a landed family who are well liked; usually it's the opposite.
Sad that such a good man should have died so young from a wretched illness.
I am pleased you feel able to acknowledge that he was liked and popular.
The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire were also much liked at Chatsworth. I admire the old school of nobility.
What a legacy that man left behind, to be so well-respected, admired and loved. I am sad he died at such a young age.
Thank yoou for your comments. 'Share my garden' - did you live up here in the Dales at some time?
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