Well-known former local farmer

A FORMER Dromore man, Mr. Colin Cattliff, well-known in the area, passed away recently.

Though he had been living in his native England with his daughter Helen for some seven years, Mr. Catliff was formerly a local farmer, having taken over the running of the family at Drumbroneth Road from his father-in-law, Mr. C. J. Baxter.

On first coming to Northern Ireland from England Mr. Catliff married Miss Jane Baxter and worked on the family farm, taking over its everyday running on the death of C. J. Baxter in 1984.

The Catliffs ran a mainly dairy herd, introducing a small flock of Jacob, Wiltshire Horn and Teeswater sheep, along with a few hens, ducks and geese.

Mr. Catliff served on the producers’ committee for Leckpatrick Dairies and could be seen regularly at Dromore and Markethill Livestock Markets.

The family visited the Rare Breeds Show and Sale every year, and, as a family, were involved in dogs.

Mr. Catliff was involved in running Banbridge and District Canine Society and the Labrador Club of Northern Ireland.

He and his wife sold the farm in 1998 and moved to Coleraine, though, when in the area, he loved to see what the new owners had done. The two families remain friends to this day.

Mr. and Mrs. Catliff joined their daughter Helen in North Yorkshire in 2003. At first they were able to enjoy the Yorkshire Dales but in the last few years they both suffered ill health.