Memories of Ken Russell

Ken Russell passed away on the 18th December 1967. At the early age of only 51. I had completely forgotten how young he was when he died, only 3 years since we had finished our studies at Shutts.

It was at this time that we had the big outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in the

UK, (very bad in Cheshire) which I'm sure we all remember so well. What a great chap he was and a brilliant College Principal to us all. It was because of Ken Russell's reputation that I chose to apply to Shutts to further my agricultural education. As a Cheshire man, born and bred, I had heard and read about the role this man

played in the UK Dairy farm industry for so many years, I wanted to learn more. I was not to be disappointed. I think if Ken Russell had lived a few more

years than he did, he would have received a Knighthood for his service to British Agriculture. What he would have thought of the current situation in the Agricultural Industry, goodness only knows!!!!!!!! And as for the E.U.

Hope everyone is keeping safe and well Already looking forward to the June 2022 Re-union - 60 years since we all met up at Shutts.

Regards to all, Wack. (Neil Hampson NDA 62/64)

Dear Wack,

How I thoroughly agree with your sentiments about Ken Russell. I went to

Shutts for the same reason, namely his huge reputation in the dairy industry. I still remember his mantra about not

wasting money on cow palaces but spending it on the best stock you could afford. I also remember him

demonstrating how to take a cow’s temperature by stuffing his biro up its back

end before removing it and putting it straight back in his jacket pocket! What a great character.

I still remember those wonderful two years we spent at Shutts as being some of the most enjoyable of my life. I cannot wait for our next reunion and find it hard to

believe it will be 60 years since we first met. John, you do such a great job in keeping us all informed of what is going on with our year group, sadly all too often to tell us of the passing of one of our number.

With very best wishes to all Rupert (Rupert Turner NDA 62/64)

Dear Patrick,

I recall my time at Shuttleworth (19571959) with great pleasure, satisfaction and thankful memories. My initial year coincided with Ken Russell’s first year (until then vice-principal of Cirencester) and a very stimulating start to the two- year course it was. Ken, who always addressed us as “gentlemen”, even if as a group or individual we had transgressed, was a great choice for the post of principal. One had to admire his devotion to the job and patience with wayward students even when transgressions were the subject of his attention rather too frequently. As principal of the college he was outstanding, setting a great example of how to teach theory and successfully apply it and make the presence of the college widely known. Throughout my time at Shuttleworth I benefitted enormously from his enthusiastic application of up-to-theminute procedures in the running of the farms. He was a tremendously competent public speaker and writer and usefully applied these skills to make quite sure that Shuttleworth was always recognised as being at the forefront of agricultural education ...... and so it was! Happy days indeed. And I’m sure our jolly sherry sessions with Mrs Shuttleworth did us, and her, a lot of good. Throughout all this time never was there mention or a clue as to the

financial problems that she, the Trust and Ken, as principal, could see were looming. Life at Shuttleworth was, indeed, extremely pleasant, educational and stimulating in the best sense of the words. The wooden hut dining hall provided us with some pretty good food, though never can you satisfy all of the people all of the time!

There we go ... my thoughts for yesterday and today.

With good wishes

David Surfleet (NDA 57/59)