Lady Aldington
1920 - 2012
Foreword BORN IN KHARTOUM, IN 1920, ARMAMINTA ALDINGTON Was the daughter of Sir Harold MacMichael, a brilliant Cambridge classicist who had joined the Sudan Political Service in 1905. She was separated from her closest companion, a camel disrespectfully named General Gordon, at the age of eight when she was sent to school in London, eventually re-joining her parents in Palestine in 1938 where her father, newly appointed High Commissioner, was instrumental in making separate political arrangements for Arabs and Jews. Araminta returned permanently to England in 1944 and immediately immersed herself energetically into a range of organisations including the Pony Club, Girl Guides, Red Cross, the Button Club (where she proudly wore an Asprey creation given to her by Field Marshall Wavell) and the Bach choir among whose sopranos she regularly performed. Following a brief wartime marriage, Araminta’s second marriage in 1947 was to Toby Low, a government minister whose career later took him into business and banking and who was given a hereditary peerage in 1962 for his services as chairman of the Conservative party. His political and business career was overshadowed by a sensational libel action in 1989, at which Araminta herself testified, when he successfully rebutted the accusation that he was guilty of war crimes in Austria in 1945. It was alleged that he arranged for large numbers of anti-communist prisoners of war, loosely referred to as Cossacks, to be handed over to the Soviet Union and to Marshall Tito’s new communist regime in Yugoslavia. On moving to the Knoll Farm at Aldington in Kent, where they became great friends with Lord Deedes, the local MP and later editor of the Daily Telegraph, Araminta took to rural life with her customary enthusiasm. She kept poultry, pigeons, guinea pigs (which she bred for Harrods pet shop) and Jacob sheep. In 1969 she founded the Jacob Sheep Society with a small group of fellow enthusiasts and she played a very active part in the development of the Society right up until her death. Her regular letters in the Jacob Journal were a mix of historical fact, instructional information and witty comment, and her disjointed letters produced on an old typewriter were a source of amusement for anyone fortunate enough to receive one. Throughout her life she championed Jacob sheep and the Society with tireless devotion. Her book, A History of Jacob Sheep, was published in 1989.
Araminta’s many other life-long interests included supporting the Spafford Children’s Centre which works among the poorest families in Jerusalem, while her deep sympathy for the British-led Palestinian Police Force as it struggled to deal even-handed with the violence on both sides led to her becoming patron of its Old Comrades Association at the end of the British mandate. With her band of carol singers, she turned up unannounced annually for over 50 years at West End clubs raising money for the Westminster children’s Hospital, and her singers also performed in the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. Described by The Times as “A feisty daughter of the Empire, outspoken wife of the Conservative politician, Lord Aldington, and a dedicated supporter of Jacob sheep,” her legacy will live on through the Jacob Sheep Society and the breed she did so much to promote.
-Clive Richardson, Vice Chairman, 2013
The Passing of our Deputy Patron Araminta Lady Aldington BEING ASKED TO WRITE A FEW WORDS ABOUT OUR LATE PATRON Araminta Lady Aldington is an honour just as it has been a huge privilege to have known her for the whole of the time she was involved with The Jacob Sheep Society. We first had contact in 1969 when I was a few months into being the new boy at The National Sheep Breeders Association (later NSA). Lady Aldington had written to ask if the National body would have any objection to her and a few friends setting up a breed society for the promotion and development of the Jacob Sheep. We had no objection and with a background in pedigree breeding and breed society work I became the secretary of the small group which was to become the first committee of the The Jacob Sheep Society. Lady Aldington, or Aunty as she became affectionately know to so many of us was the epitome of an indefatigable force, deeply knowledgeable about breeding in a variety of fields, including horses, dogs, guinea pigs and poultry. She was determined to ensure that no opportunity would be missed to get the Society up and running, to encourage as many as possible who had Jacobs to participate in its development and to engage with any other organisation which she felt would see the positive opportunity for this ancient breed but new Society to thrive. It would be easy to quote a huge number of facts but I’m not sure that would in any sense provide and insight into the inspiring character of this very special person. Her contacts were second to none and they were usually only too happy to help her. I remember when Edward Heath was the Prime Minister and having told Aunty that the Civil Servants were not allowing the Minister of Agriculture access to my fledgling NSA being told to get a letter to her as quickly as possible and she would get it to the Prime Minister in his egg box!
He would then see that it would get to the Minister for Agriculture. It was an important moment for the sheep industry and the first of many contacts using the “egg box” postal system! But I digress, she naturally became the first Chairman of The Jacob Sheep Society and in due course President and then Deputy Patron. In the meantime though she persuaded Her Grace The Duchess of Devonshire to be our very first President and the “show” was very much on the road. Later on she persuaded Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra to be our Patron. In ten years from that standing start there were over 600 registered flocks. The energy and the organisational skills she brought to the Society were unparalleled and she had an unyielding positiveness about what was important with an absolute abhorrence of matters which were in any way false or artificial. I remember being impressed by the fact that her idea of a holiday in those early days was to have a week at the Royal Show with the breeders and stockmen. She would attend the Show in her recycled but beautifully converted former Municipal Dustcart wagon named Matilda! It had a very impressive double cab, a luxury in those days and the back had been removed to be replaced by a specially built stockbox, apparently a birthday present from her husband. She then brought to the show her sit up and beg bicycle which she used to go around, more often than not with a straw hat especially at the summery shows. She took every opportunity to promote the breed, talked about the small joints of meat for small families its unequalled quality; the natural colouring of the wool and its texture long before such matters took on a life of their own. Very elegant Jacob wool clothing was worn to all sorts of prestigious events and, if asked, she would always be more than happy to discuss the natural comfort, environmental benefit and sheer beauty of the type of cloth into which her Jacob wool had been made. It really would be very easy to go on at great length about what a unique person she was; I think though that those of us who were lucky enough to have known her will all have our special memories which we will cherish for eternity. She was that rare mix who could always be counted on for a candid opinion. An amazingly shrewd judge of character she was a true friend in every sense of the words with a quiet humour and wit. Above all she was a thorough Lady who will be deeply missed but whose memory will be a source of inspiration for all who knew her as well as those who come after us. The Jacob Sheep Society of today is a true testament to her ability to get people from all walks of life to work together; to her strength of purpose and to her dedication and tenacity.
She was justifiably proud of the Society and we as a Society celebrate the passing of a friend whose leadership and vision has been instrumental in raising our sights well above the horizons thought possible when the journey began.
~JOHN THORLEY. OBE Taken from Jacob Journal Number 74, Spring 2012
Members’ Tributes During my 3 years as Chairman of the Jacob Sheep Society Lady A offered me sound advice and guidance. Even when ill health took over she remained positive and forward looking; a real inspiration to those she came into contact with. I shall always feel privileged to have been able to see her in the closing days of her life and with the President of the Society, able to reassure her that the Society she had founded all those years ago, remained strong and ready for the next 40 years.
~GARETH JONES, SOCIETY CHAIRMAN 2009-2012
Lady A was unique in many ways. Her infectious enthusiasm was directed at all Jacob Sheep Society members she met, including members who had just joined, whether young or old. Her enthusiasm for the telephone is also well recorded. She filled up our answer phone message system more than once, without indicating who the message was from. When replying to phone calls one was asked to first sit down, before a long conversation ensued. We will miss those phone calls and her lively personality. Many members in the South West Region asked to be remembered collectively in the book compiled by the Jacob Sheep Society in her memory.
~ANGELA GILBERT, SOUTH WEST REGIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER, 2013
Members’ Tributes Back in 1970 or so I was the Society’s Treasurer. Meg Thorley did the work and I was the mouthpiece. Our annual turnover was about about £1000 – 400 members at £2 each and a couple of hundred pounds gifts and donations. I was delighted to have so many members in our very early years and happened to remark to Lady Aldington that we must now be scraping the bottom of the barrel. ‘Nonsense, Dear Boy, don’t be so depressing. There are plenty more out there.’ How right she was!
~GEOFFREY PUREFOY Such a kind and encouraging mentor for all those new to Council. We learned a lot about “diplomacy” with a twinkle in her eye! So pleased and privileged to have known her.
~BOB & TRISH BAKER
DEPUTY PATRON LADY ALDINGTON & PRESIDENT STAN TAYLOR CUTTING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY CAKE AT THE 2009 AGM
Members’ Tributes We were “quite new” to sheep when we first started to attend JSS AGMs but always found Lady A’s presence both inspiring and inspirational. If she wanted something to happen - it did! We have wonderful memories of her wonderful duet with John Thorley, and also for her insisting on her cigarette in her room (which allegedly set off the fire alarm, evacuating us all from breakfast and causing great consternation all round). We need people who can and do challenge rules! She was always approachable and welcoming - we will miss her!
~FRANCINE & STEPHEN BURNS The word that to us sums up Lady A’s character is “indefatigable”. What appeared to others as problems or obstacles, were to her challenges to be surmounted. She did not know the meaning of “No we can’t do that!” She was the same to everyone she met, interested, perceptive and enthusiastic. Last year just after her 91st birthday she rang about some JSS matter and started by saying “Darling, I had quads on my birthday”. She was of course talking about her beloved sheep. Right up to the end, when she was very ill, she was still phone and writing letters to people about sponsoring this year’s AGM. And very successfully too. When told by one charity that they only supported educational projects, she immediately sent them all the details of the J-Club! Memories of her include being instructed how to dance around the maypole, her driving out of one flock visit at speed, waving to everyone with the back door of the car flying open, singing all 10 verses of the girl guide song “She sat on a hillside and strummed her guitar” without hesitation at the AGM in 2004 with John Thorley, and many more. She will be greatly missed.
~DAPHNE RICE & HELEN SUTHERLAND
Members’ Tributes We feel very privileged to have known Lady A and will miss her so much. When her book, A History of Jacob Sheep, was first published, Geraldine rang Lady A for a copy. Lady A was expecting a call from a lady for a housekeeper’s job and began asking interview questions such as her age etc! Lady A was very embarrassed when she realised her mistake and wrote a lovely letter of apology to accompany the book. In later years Nicola was the Editor of the Jacob Journal, which Lady A loved to read and she would telephone after every issue was published with words of encouragement and always some idea for future issues. Her enthusiasm and her entertaining letters to the Journal will be be very much missed.
~NICOLA & GERALDINE FLETCHER
SIR ANGUS OGILVY, LADY ALDINGTON & THEIR DAUGHTER HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AT THE GARDEN PARTY AT KNOLL FARM DURING THE 2004 AGM WEEKEND
Members’ Tributes Lady Aldington visited here in 1969/70 researching Jacob sheep in Ireland. I had already been able to help her as my father had kept Jacobs since 1943. She seemed very pleased with our stock. Unfortunately when she visited our house to wash her hands and have some tea, her wedding ring must have slipped off and was lost down the plug hole. When in 2006 the AGM was held in Ireland I was asked to have a flock visit here. Another visit from Lady A. As usual we enjoyed entertaining her with all her comments regarding the sheep. She was “ very careful “when she went to wash her hands! On this visit she told she she was researching White Horse Inns. As we have one in our village I was very glad to be able to help again. I am very sorry to hear of the passing of such a genuine Lady.
~DEREK MACMILLAN, N. IRELAND, MEMBER NO 608
During my role as regional representative 2000 – 2003, it was a difficult period with foot and mouth, and flooding that was bad for all my members. Lady A was very supportive and I treasure her letter after the AGM at Ilkley which was very personal and which I value. Also during the Countryside March in London Pat and I saw Lady A watching from the side of the road and she was thrilled that members of the JSS greeted her from the March. She will be a big loss. ~PAT & TREVOR BLACK
Members’ Tributes I remember Lady A coming up to a group of us one AGM weekend wanting to know when we used our SHOWER CAPS. When we stopped laughing and realised she was serious we replied “ When we had a shower”. Lady A said that was OK but if we had no further use of them she had – to wear under her hat! They were marvellous for keeping her head not only dry, but warm. Her daughters had instructions to bring any unused shower caps back from their travels.
~MARY RUDD, WHITBY, MEMBER NO 2143 Lady A was one in a million and will be remembered well for her wit, stamina and encouragement to all members of the JSS. I have always thought her a character to be remembered lovingly and with happiness for being privileged to have known her.
~BERYL THOMPSON
LADY ALDINGTON CUTS THE CAKE AT THE 35TH AGM AT KNOLL FARM, KENT IN 2004
Members’ Tributes It seems to me a long time ago that out daughter enlisted us as members of the Jacob Sheep Society. As the Jacob sheep was already known in Frisia in the early middle ages their history interested me very much. Lady Aldington sent us part of her large knowledge in this regard and we shared our own experiences about these sheep. It was really only in Leeds in 2004 that we actually met. For me, Lady Aldington has been a guide as to how to use heart, knowledge, gifts and contacts through our hobby, on behalf of our calling as a citizen. She was able to bring people together in order to promote the development of breeding, environment and business, without any false hypocrisy or false charity. Lady Aldington was both realistic and visionary : she will stay in our memory.
~JG BOITEN-DU RIEU, NETHERLANDS, MEMBER NO 3426
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