Charity ball in memory of Teesdale farmer ‘taken far too soon’

Ms Dickson with her father on her wedding day

A MOTHER-OF-THREE who lost her father to a heart attack aged just 55 is raising money for the British Heart Foundation. 
Barningham farmer Roderick Bayles died last year after falling ill at West Hope Farm.
The family was hit hard by the loss but the farming community rallied round to help lease West Hope and offer their support.
Mr Bayles’ daughter, Clare Dickson, joined the Barnard Castle branch of the British Heart Foundation (BHF)  in the wake of the tragedy.
Fighting back tears, the 29-year-old said she wanted to raise money for research into heart disease.
“I decided I wanted to do something else – I thought about a family fun day but thought a ball would be easier,” she said.
“My dad was a farmer – when he died he left a full working farm behind him so it was a big life change.
“He’d never ailed – I can never remember him going to the doctors for anything.”
Mr Bayles and his brother, Gordon, were familiar names at Bowes Show and Tan Hill Show, picking up many cups in the 1980s and 1990s for their Swaledale sheep.
Mr Bayles had toyed with the idea of returning to competition. But after his passing last year, the family went through a great upheaval with his wife, Denise, moving from the farm.
“It's been a massive change – my mum has come away from the farm as she could not stop there on her own,” said Ms Dickson.
“We had a farmhand to help – when my dad went it was right before lambing season and we couldn’t get rid of everything straight away.
“He was working 72-hour weeks for us.”
Coronary heart disease is responsible for one in six deaths of men in the UK every year.
Ms Dickson began running earlier this year with Teesdale Athletic Club and completed the Great North Run for the BHF. She said it was important farmers keep on top of their health.
“Farmers are not really people who admit they have to go to the doctors – they are stubborn.
“Even though most of them are fit and healthy from so much exercise, it can still happen.”
A Christmas ball at The Morritt Arms, at Greta Bridge, will raise funds for the charity.
After hearing of her plan, The Morritt has offered their premises for free, meaning more ticket money will go to the BHF.
“It’s just to raise as much money as we can for the BHF so they can carry on doing their research,” said Ms Dickson. “If anyone is willing to donate raffle prizes to the evening that would be very good.”
The charity ball starts at 7pm on Monday, December 19, with a drink and hog roast included in the £25 price. 
A disco and live entertainment from dale band Oily Bum Print will also feature.
To buy a ticket, email Ms Dickson at clare.dickson11@gmail.com