We are sad to announce the recent death of Robert Smith of Northfield Lodge, Cransley who has been associated with this Parish throughout his life.  His funeral service will take place at 11 am on Friday, 29th March at Kettering Crematorium and afterwards at Thorpe Malsor Village Hall.

His daughter Frances Pope has written this account of his life and links with Thorpe Malsor.

My grandfather, Fred Smith, came to the farm in 1928 as a tenant but was able to purchase the land in the 1960s.  After reading agriculture at Newcastle University, my father returned to work with my  grandfather but also became a lecturer at Moulton College for over 30 years when it was just an agricultural college, working particularly with farm apprentices on day release courses throughout the county.

My father played cricket for Thorpe Malsor Cricket Club for several years.  Although the farm is in Cransley parish, my grandfather and father also farmed land belonging to the Thorpe Malsor estate. They were both supported on the farm by Robert Walton for over 30 years.  Following his retirement from Moulton College, my father became heavily involved in the Rotary organisation and local good works, including several "Country Fairs" on the farm.  After his diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease in 2001, he then supported the local Kettering branch.

He sadly had to move to Elm Bank Care Home in 2015 due to the decline in his health and died in hospital on 9th March of pneumonia and Parkinson's.

Donations in Robert's memory for "Parkinson's UK" to Jack Warwick Funeral Directors, Kettering.