Dick Pile

Dick Pile was a Scholar in 1973 when he travelled to Australia and New Zealand to study dairying and cattle breeding. He farmed in Gloucestershire and for many years was the Council Member of the Trust representing the RASE.

The Trust sends its condolences to his wife, A-E, and his family.

Academic and farmer dies.

Local farmer, Richard Pile, died on 20th January after a long illness. Richard (Dick) was born in Barbados, but sent to Oakley Hall, Cirencester, to begin his formal education. He then went to Stowe and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied agriculture. In 1960 he bought Ampney Knowle, gradually building the farm up to 750 acres, where he ran a highly successful dairy herd of 300cows. In 1970 (sic) he was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship which enabled him to study dairying in Australia and New Zealand. On his return he changed his own dairying into what became recognised as a model unit, attracting visitors from all over the world.

He committed himself early to public service:

Council of the RASE (26 years)
Member of the Thames Land Drainage Board
Chairman of the Cirencester NFU
County Chairman of the Gloucestershire CLA
District Councillor
Chairman of Ampney Crucis Parish Council (15 years)
Governor of Ampney Crucis Village School
Treasurer of Cirencester Benefit Society
Industrial Assessor for the Royal Agricultural College 

Due to ill health he was unable to accept the post of High Sheriff in 2002

He was a member of the 1966 Advanced Farm Business Management Course at Wye. A was a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Farmers and became a Freeman of the City of London in 1986.

In 1962 he married local girl, Elizabeth-Ann Bubb and spent 40 happy years at Ampney Knowle, where the brought up two sons, Edward and Hugo. They recently retired to Ampney Crucis.

Dicks hobbies were his farm, country pursuits and the garden he developed with his wife. He was also an avid cricket supporter and a member of the MCC, where he had great difficulty in deciding who to support when the West Indies team were here on tour.

Dick was highly respected in the community as recognised by the large congregation at his funeral in Fairford Church for his funeral on the January 30th.

Supplied by H W G Elwes, a close friend, 01242 870256.

 

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