Obituary for William Young                       

After a period of illness sadly William Young 82 passed away on the 13th of July 2007.

This was indeed a Black Friday for all who knew him.
Wull was never far away from the banks of his beloved Nethan and was always accompanied by his faithful dog. His knowledge of the river and its wildlife were second to none, having fished it man and boy.
Many a young angler received a lesson from Wull whether they wanted it or not to the words of encouragement “you’re no daen that right” He even assisted the River Management team clearing blockages when he was 80 years old again to the words “you’re no daen that right”

 

 For years he nibbled away at Craighead dam in a bid to help his troot up the watter

 It has even been said that he nibbled a wee bit out of the S.E.P.A. Gauging Station too

 It was Wull or Uncle Wull to me, that first introduced me to fishing and he was always a father figure to me. Wull told it as it was, I guess that’s     where my stubborn streak comes from and if what he said hurt, then so be it, the truth often does hurt.
 He was greatly respected in Lesmahagow and surrounding areas where he helped people with their gardens or took their dogs for a walk.

 I watched Uncle Wull get weaker and weaker and was with him in his final moments of life where I made him a promise. I promised him I would  make the River Nethan the river he remembered and I intend keeping that promise or die in the attempt.

 Now when I walk the banks of the Nethan I feel a sense of loneliness knowing that I am not going to bump into my Uncle Wull or spending half an hour blethering, but I know that his spirit is there. If ever a man should be called Mr Nethan then it is William Young.

 He was a keen gardener and his garden was a delight to see, he even worried about his beloved plants when he knew he was dying, that was the kind of man he was, he put everything else before himself.

 Many people are poorer for his passing he had many a friend who all said the same; he was a crabbit bugger but an honest man. The word Nethan means talking water and I bet now it talking in his words when we are out there trying to improve it
“you’re no daen that right”

 Wull liked his dominoes and was reputed to be the biggest cheat going, playing against Maxi and the lads at the Gow cemetery at lunch time.

 He also liked to ride shotgun for Rab Broon in big Ian Meikle’s lorry and I bet Rab has many a tale he could tell.

 I know that they miss him greatly as does my Aunt Annie his beloved wife for many years. Yes the world is an emptier place without him but his memory will live forever in many people’s hearts, I for one loved him dearly and miss him sadly and will for ever be in his debt for introducing me to fishing accompanied by the immortal words,” your no daen that right”.

Even as we lowered Uncle Wull into the ground there was an almighty rumble of thunder and I thought to myself he is having the last word “You’re no daen that right”

God Bless you Uncle Wull and may you rest in peace! I miss you.

Jim D

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Nethan Valley Angling Association
sadly announces the passing of one of it's greatest supporters

JOHN (JOCKIE) WHITE HARRISON
1925 - 2003

Without Jockie the Association would not be where it is today. When the Association was first formed in the year 2000, it was felt that a Hatchery would be an asset to the river. However a suitable site may prove to be a problem, the site would need to be reasonably cheap due to lack of finance, secure, with a water supply of a quality suitable for hatching trout eggs.

We knew that Jockie had a pond which he used to keep fish in and which was now unused, so Jockie was approached for the use of his pond and the possibility of constructing a Hatchery Unit. With a shake of hands the rent was set at free, and the work on clearing a site for the Hatchery began.

We now have a two hatchery units at the site with circular tanks etc installed and thanks to Jockie, the River Nethan's depleted brown trout stock receives a boost of between 50,000-100,000 trout fry per year.

Even after Jockie suffered his first and second strokes he still managed to get down to the Hatchery to see what was going on. So great was his interest and his visits that he will be sadly missed. Many a happy hour was spent blethering to Jockie, who had a wealth of knowledge about the countryside and much more. Jockie was a very special person and his door was always open, with the kettle always on the boil.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends who will miss him dearly, as will our Hatchery and River Management Team who had a great deal of contact with him.

Please God look after our dear friend Jockie.

Nethan Valley Angling Association

Jockie's funeral was a sad time for all and there was not one dry eye in the Church, my own included. As we were leaving the church, a single RAF Fighter Jet flew overhead. The cortège then made it's way out into the country, passing Jockie's former farm, Middleholm and his home at the Divity. As the hearse passed the Divity, four RAF Fighter Jets flew alongside the cortège, two on either side, and saluted by giving a wing wave. What a fitting tribute to such a wonderful man.

Our condolances go out to Jockie's family. He will be sadly missed by one and all.

REST IN PEACE JOCKIE

THE LIFE OF JOHN WHITE HARRISON
27.05.1925 - 18.11.2003

John's life journey began in Peebles. As a toddler in 1925 he moved to Hillside Farm, Lesmahagow, with his parents, George Harrison and Agnes Terrance McCaskie and his four older brothers, Tom, Bobby, George and Jimmy. A sixth son, Sandy, was born later. The "flitting" took two days by horse and cart with an overnight stop with the McCaskie relatives at Wiston.

Educated at Waterside Primary School and Lesmahagow Higher Grade, he interspersed education and farming. Although he was in a reserved occupation, he volunteered as soon as he could during World War II and joined the RAF. He flew as a Navigator for the duration of the War.

He returned to agricultural work after the War. In 1952 he married Wilma Janet Arneil Anderson and lived at Middleholm Farm before moving to Divity, 200 yards along the road, in 1956, where he lived for the remainder of his years.

Although farming in partnership with his mother and two brothers, James and George, since 1960, he had time to indulge in his hobbies - fishing and pigeon racing. In 1977, his wife, Wilma, passed away and his life revolved around his four children, Shona, Sandy, Iain and Hazel.

On retiring from farming in 1989, he filled his life with his pigeons, his pond and an ever-growing band of grandchildren, Shaun, Donna, Rhonagh, Caroline, Gary, Elaine, Rachael and Iain.

After suffering a series of strokes, he slipped away on Tuesday, 18th November 2003.

From the Parish Church, Lesmahagow, he will begin his final journey to Lesmahagow Cemetery and on the way he will pass Divity, Middleholm and Hillside.


MY GRANDPA
by Rhonagh Harrison Zawadzki
(age 13)

As I stroll into my Grandpa's house,
I see him sitting there as quiet as a mouse.
Sitting in his chair, smoking his cigar,
Looking out the porch window, his eyes gazing far.

"Well, weans" as he would say,
His wide eyes that were once blue were now a shade of grey.
His creamy white face filled with wrinkles,
As he looked at me his eyes slightly twinkled.

With his sparkling eyes and his fluffy white hair,
He wandered about, as if time to spare.
He looked after his animals day in, dayout,
From the flying pigeon to the swimming trout.

His animals and his family are all on his mind,
That's my Grandpa, he's one of a kind!





 JIM GIBB

Jim Gibb sadly passed away on the 13th of December 2005 after a spell of illness. Jim had contracted cancer and was determined to beat it; sadly it won. However Jim enjoyed an excellent life and was a great family man who worked hard for a living and liked nothing better than a days fishing to unwind. Jim was 65 when he sadly passed away but you would never have known, up until his illness he had the energy of a man 20 years his junior. Even in the latter stages of his treatment, which sapped his energy, Jim still managed to visit the hatchery unit where he would chat to the guys. He was an avid collector of fishing tackle and memorabilia and would proudly show off his latest acquisition.

Jim fished many rivers and was well known on the Annan, Nith, Earn, Clyde, Avon and Nethan, to name but a few, but I'm sure the Nethan was the dearest to his heart. He fished it as a boy through into manhood and knew it like the back of his hand. Many a fish fell to Jim's fly and many survived to tell the tale, because Jim knew how important it was to return his catch.

Jim was also a warranted bailiff who patrolled the River Clyde controlled by UCAPA Ltd., he was also a member of their work parties and was always keen to get involved. He formed part of the bailiffing team who patrol the Clyde Estuary and was well liked and respected by his fellow bailiffs. As far as the bailiffs are concerned, Jim will always be remembered affectionately for his starring role in Operation Salmo.

Jim's hands were the ones seen with the net in a BBC Landward programme covering Operation Salmo. Even his illness did not deter him taking part in the operation, which spanned from the River Clyde Estuary to Blantyre Weir in one day.

Jim Gibb, we at the Nethan Valley Angling Association salute you and you will always be fondly remembered. Rest in peace dear friend.

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KENNY STREET

Kenneth Martin Street, a.k.a. Kenny Street, again a man who's looks belied his age; Kenny was 79 going on 21 when he sadly succumbed to illness.

Kenny was one of those guys that you immediately fell in love with and who had a wicked sense of humour. Kenny was a great supporter of both the Nethan Valley Angling Association and the Mid Clyde Angling Association, where he was Vice Chairman until his untimely death. His presence brightened any room and his warm cheeky smile always hid the mischief that was going on his head. Not only was he a keen angler but a wonderful gardener who had a garden to be proud of. He was a wonderful family man who loved his wife dearly and who treasured his children and grandchildren.

Kenny was a selfless man who had a kind word for everyone, he used to walk the banks of the River Clyde in his role as a water bailiff and spent many hours teaching and encouraging the local youngsters into the world of fishing.

Kenny spent a few summer nights up at the hatchery enjoying the scenery and taking in the views, he also enjoyed the odd cast or two for the brown trout at the hatchery.

To demonstrate Kenny's sense of humour this is a true story. A couple of nights before he slipped away he asked his son in law to pass a very valued possession (his walking stick) of his to his friend Gordon Shannon, and asked that Gordon took this stick with him every time he went to their local pub. He felt that he would be there with Gordon sharing a drink but as Gordon stated it looks like he'll be buying all the drinks because Kenny didn't leave any pocket money for the stick.

Once again a gap has been created that can never be filled, because how can one replace something that is unique, Kenny Street we miss you, rest in peace dear colleague and friend.

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HARRY KEARY

Sadly Harry passed away on the 8th April 2006 after a battle with cancer...sadly Harry lost. He visited us about 4 weeks ago at the hatchery and it was wonderful to see that famous grin of his; a man truly at peace with the world.

It was a difficult time for our lads, as we knew it was only a matter of time before we lost a good friend; his laughter was infectious and his company was priceless.

We will meet again Harry, but in the meantime, our heartfelt sympathy is with his wife Mags and his family. His brother, Tommy, will be lost without him and our thoughts are also with you at this time Tommy.

We will miss you Harry. Rest in Peace dear friend.

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