The NFU has paid tribute to Leicestershire farmer and former NFU Livestock Board chair Charles Sercombe following his death after a cancer diagnosis.
Charles, a Melton Mowbray NFU member, farmed livestock and arable in partnership with his wife Helen and family at Frisby on the Wreake.
The family business Sercombe Sheep is based at Sandlands Farm, which is a county council smallholding and home to their commercial flock of c1,000 sheep.
Charles was a passionate advocate for tenant farmers and the sheep sector. He was NFU Melton Mowbray branch chair from 2007 to 2010, serving four consecutive terms in the role.
“His dedication and knowledge were invaluable and he will be fondly remembered right across the farming industry.”
NFU Deputy President David Exwood
He became NFU Livestock Board chair in 2012 holding the national post for six years and was also a member of the NFU Policy Board and Governance Board.
Invaluable dedication to the farming industry
NFU Deputy President David Exwood said: “Charles led the national livestock board through a time of great uncertainty for the beef and lamb sector.
“His dedication and knowledge at such a time were invaluable and he will be fondly remembered right across the farming industry.
“It’s very sad and a great shock that his life has been cut so tragically short at a time when he still had so much to give.
“Our thoughts are with his wife Helen, children Victoria, William and Grace and family.”
The national chair of the Charollais Sheep Society, Charles had been Eastern region chair and a judges committee member, alongside other roles.
Well respected within the NFU and wider farming community Charles sat on various boards, groups and government committees including Defra’s Animal Health and Welfare Pathway Steering Group, the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England, the Sheep Breeders Round Table, the Sheep Health and Welfare Group and the Ruminant Health and Welfare Group.
A champion for fellow farmers
“He was a hugely loyal Melton branch member, supremely intelligent and a brilliant branch chairman.”
Former NFU Melton Mowbray group secretary Steve Jeal
Farmer Sarah Bell, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland NFU Council delegate, said: “Charles did a tremendous amount of work for the sheep sector and wider farming community.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this time and we are grateful to them for their support of Charles while he was on industry business championing his fellow farmers.”
A keen stock judge and showman Charles had a real interest in flock performance recording and sheep breeding.
Steve Jeal, former NFU Melton Mowbray group secretary, who had known Charles for 35 years, said he always had tremendous respect for him and his faming capabilities.
“He was a hugely loyal Melton branch member, supremely intelligent and a brilliant branch chairman,” he said.
“He knew the farming community like the back of his hand and was the sort of guy who would do anything for anyone.
“The loss is going to leave a cavernous hole in his family and friends’ lives and I will miss him enormously.”