Andrew Humphries, a governor at Newton Rigg at Penrith, recalls how the agricultural college came into being in the nineteeth century . . .

CRAYSTON Webster, a Kendal land agent in 1868 (and later a Newton Rigg governor), advocated ‘a better education for the rising agricultural population’ and said: ‘In dealing with the various manures pressed on his notice…the farmer has in some measure to grope his way in the dark.’ With a growing urban population, competition from the ‘New World’ and new railways that linked producers with consumers, change was not optional – but how would the response be funded? It came almost by accident in the form of ‘Whisky Money’.

The temperance movement secured government support to reduce the number of licensed premises in rural areas. To compensate publicans, six pence per gallon was introduced in 1890, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds a year.

A public outcry demanded that the fund be redirected for public use, including technical education.

Westmorland County Council allocated £800 of its £2,000 to agriculture. The community indicated the need for classes in agriculture and dairying, with more than 300 enrolments in 1891.

Sceptical farmers needed persuasion. One Kendal farmer exclaimed: ‘Dang ther dairy scheuls…my missus allus med good butter and got top price and I’ll back her an t’ould way agin ther new notions fer out thou likes to lig doon’.

Others were persuaded by the evidence. In 1897 the dairy school at Kirkby Lonsdale demonstrated that mechanical separation produced 83lbs of butter from 80 quarts of cream, compared to 80lbs of butter from 93 quarts of cream by hand separation.

Outreach demonstrated the relationship between science technology and the economy that flowed from new skills.

Fred Punchard indicated in 1892 that Westmorland would support the idea of developing a fixed college, leading the ‘sister counties’ to acquire Newton Rigg, on the county boundary.

Punchard, as chairman, guided the partnership through the first decade until his death in 1906. The Press, in tribute, asserted him to be ‘not only one of the most capable agriculturalists, but one who is the best acquainted with agricultural law of any man in England.’ Westmorland had confounded the 19th century critics of its insularity and provided a national model of collaboration and a timely expression of its potential to practice with science.