A leading North Lakes farmer and former Keswick Show chairman has died in a quad bike accident, aged 52.
Martyn Mawson, who married his wife Corinne last November, suffered fatal injuries while out on his 400-acre Highside Farm at the foot of Ullock Pike, Bassenthwaite, at 11.30am on Sunday.
The air ambulance and Keswick Mountain Rescue Team were called to the scene 200 metres up a fell but Mr Mawson died there. A KMRT spokesman said: “His family and co-workers were nearby and did all they could with first aid until land and air ambulance crews arrived. Doctors, paramedics and ambulance staff made a sustained effort but sadly could not save him.
“The man was an old school friend to a couple of team members who attended the call, so it was a particularly poignant incident. Our deepest sympathies go out to the man’s family and friends.”
Mr Mawson had been vice-chairman of the Keswick Show from 1995 and took over as chairman in 2011 through to 2016. The beef and sheep farmer was a leading figure in the Young Farmers movement and had also been a non-executive director of Mitchell’s Auction Mart at Cockermouth since March 2018.
Keswick Show secretary Judith Hildreth said: “He was a stalwart of the show and his expertise and good humour will be missed by everyone. Farming is a very close-knit community and Martyn was well respected by so many.” Vice-chairman Haydn Spedding added: “He was a life-long supporter of the show and did so much over the years. On show day itself he was there first thing in the morning and was last to leave at night.”
Mr Mawson’s family had farmed at Highside for more than 50 years. Since 2003, the family has also operated a successful B&B business there. His many other roles included being a trustee of the prestigious Blamire Trust. Each year it presents the Blamire Medal to an individual who works in the development, promotion or support of agriculture in the old county of Cumberland.
Trust chairman Martin Cowen, from Thursby, said: “Martyn was a very active member of our trust who had a strong interest in championing the cause of the upland farmers throughout our region. He was also a good communicator who was well known by so many in the wider community. We will miss Martyn and his work with the trust.”
Ian Powley, chairman of Mitchell’s Auction Mart, said: “Martyn was an excellent stocksman and hosted Grassland Society visits, in particular the Isle of Man Grassland Society. The farm is a most beautiful place. The views are spectacular.”
As well as his wife, Mr Mawson leaves sons James and Eddy.