Remembering Finn Christenen

FAMILY and friends from all walks of life gathered in person –and online – to celebrate the life of Pilton farmer Finn Christensen, who has died aged 85.

Mendip Crematorium was full of mourners for the funeral of Danish-born Finn, who came to Somerset in his 20s as an agricultural student. Many more gathered at the Crossways Inn at North Wootton to watch the service live streamed.

For the past 50 years, Finn and his family have run Steanbow Farm, next to the Glastonbury Festival site, and much of the land is used as part of the event. But his first job on arriving in England was on a farm at Alhampton.

Building up successful dairy and pig herds, as well as a poultry business, Finn served on many agricultural bodies such as the Milk Marketing Board – later Milk Marque – the Royal Bath & West Society council and the Mid-Somerset Show, of which he was a former president. Finn was also heavily involved with the Dairy Show at the Royal Bath & West Showground and introduced the idea of the annual Dairy Show Dinner.

He was also an enthusiastic members of, firstly, Shepton Mallet Round Table and then the Rotary Club of Shepton Mallet where he served as both chairman and president.

Proud of both his Danish and British heritage, the Union Flag flies at halfmast at Steanbow Farm