RIP Mr George Scales

[Walterp]

One of the pleasures of reading the Farmers' Weekly, when I was a youngster, was the succinct letters Mr Legge received, and usually published, from Mr George Scales. Full of wisdom and hard-earned experience, they were always worth reading; and a far cry from today's 'Letters to the Editor' which, when they express a controversial point of view, are often penned by 'anonymous'.

Something Mr Scales was not - a brave and daring Naval officer in the last War, he took advice from Ernest Doe and bought 500 acres in Abbess Roding, using money he borrowed from a Swiss bank after reading about how keen the bank was to expand its loan book. Bet they weren't half surprised to see an Essex farmer knocking on their door in the Bahnhofstrasse...but they must've been impressed, too, 'cos they lent him the money.

Charming and pleasant, although forthright, Mr Scales wrote his memoirs a few years ago. Get a copy if you can, to see how it was once possible to start from scratch.

 

[grumpy]

never heard of the dude walt,but if you say he was a good guy thats good enough for me.

 

[chaffcutter]

+1 Walter, always used to enjoy his letters even if I didn't always agree with his views, FW doesn't seem to attract regular writers any more.....( thinks. Mmmmmn, I wonder if that's cos they've found another forum for debate....)

 

[Flat 10]

Do you know what the book was called? Weighing up? Farm now sold I believe, very sad.

 

[Walterp]

Cobbler's Pieces was, at least in 2006 (I have a leaflet to say this), the biggest thatching straw farm in the UK at 533 acres. And a Christmas card from Mr Scales, signed by him, showing him getting a medal (but not for farming). It was, in fact, the Croix de Guerre, presented by the French Navy.

The leaflet contained, at the end, this notice: "The straw remains the property of Scales Farms Ltd until it has been fully paid for. Failure to pay or honour a cheque, will involve the straw being removed, from the roof if necessary, and no further supplies will be available".

Made me laugh,anyway - "Full Ahead Together" by Ian Baird (life story of George Scales).

Could probably teach FT a thing or two about chasing overdue straw bills....

 

[Andrew K]

George was certainly a character, i remember him ringing up once to ask i if knew the best way how to get his Rolls Royce converted to LPG.
Always looking for a different way of doing things, and usually a success.

 

[Andrew K]

George was certainly a character, i remember him ringing up once to ask i if knew the best way how to get his Rolls Royce converted to LPG.
Always looking for a different way of doing things, and usually a success.

The farm has recently been sold, for a small fortune.

 

[Penmoel]

http://www.scales-farms.co.uk/index.html

 

[Flat 10]

I can't find it on amazon..........
Shame as I really wanted to read it, they don't normally let me down with rare/unusual books. If anyone knows where to get a copy I would be grateful.

 

[grumpy]

never mind that ferming crap you want a good read
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wings-My-Sleeve-Worlds-Greatest/dp/0753822091

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22254048

 

[SilliamWhale]

I can't find it on amazon..........
Shame as I really wanted to read it, they don't normally let me down with rare/unusual books. If anyone knows where to get a copy I would be grateful.

you tried abe books?

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?an=george+scales&bt.x=-545&bt.y=-296&sts=t - if it was called Weighing up you owe me an epint!

 

[Flat 10]

According to Walter P its "Full ahead together" by ian baird! So no pint sorry.

 

[SilliamWhale]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bairdys-Gonna-Get-Ya-Baird/dp/1780913028

You could try his other book....

 

[gone up the hill]

http://www.scales-farms.co.uk/index.html

When they quote £110/bale.... they arent talking about a roundbale are they???

 

[Penmoel]

When they quote £110/bale.... they arent talking about a roundbale are they???

Must be good stuff, figures which @Forage Trader can only dream of




Ah but it is for a specialist market, you would not want to bed your cows on that

 

[Flat 10]

I know a stud that puts its stallions on it!!!!!!!!!..................................

 

[snowhite]

never heard of the dude walt,but if you say he was a good guy thats good enough for me.

not the only one that did not know him , but what is said about him i wish i did

 

[llamedos]

According to Walter P its "Full ahead together" by ian baird! So no pint sorry.

try @IANTO he may be able to find the book

 

[IANTO]

try @IANTO he may be able to find the book

I have had a go, am wondering whether there two different individuals of the same name, who may have been confused.

Here is the Obituary of Lionel George Scales who died in 2007.

http://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/sep/17/guardianobituaries.ruralaffairs

A selection of his columns appears in "Weighing Up", published by Journeyman Press, 1988. There of copies of this available.

I must admit I am amused by the following lines of his - a confirmed atheist who was hedging his bets.

"Arriving in Heaven a little bit late
He said to St Peter as he passed through the gate:"

"The funeral benefit I got was so small
I could hardly afford the fare here at all.
If inflation continues, it grieves me to tell,
My mates won't be coming, they'll be going to Hell."

George Scales of Scales Farms was alive in September 2012 aged 91. I cannot find a obituary, but he apparently died fairly recently. There is a piece about him in the following, which states his biographer was Ian Baird.

http://old.richarddawkins.net/articles/2127-george-scales-war-hero-and-generous-friend-of-rdfrs

I cannot find any further reference to it, and as yet I suspect it has not been published.

 

[Howes]

Hello all,
I'm working with some other researchers on a book on metal detecting in Essex and am researching George Scales (1921-2013) late of Scales Farm, where curious relics were unearthed throughout the 1990s. As a disclaimer, I'm aware that to some farmers on this site, metal detectorism is maybe somewhat an irritant(!) - I'm merely a researcher / local historian and have never dabbled in metal detecting. George Scales was, however, very friendly to detectorists and took a real interest in the archaeological aspects.

I'm keen to find a copy of his only book, an autobiography co-written with Ian Baird called 'Full Ahead Together' and would be keen to hear, if anybody has read this book, whether anything about metal detecting at Scales Farm is touched upon. The relatives I have corresponded with said a limited run were printed. Incidentally, if anybody here wants to dispense with a copy, please PM me (I did notice one on the UK Amazon, but it's beyond by budget for the time being).

There is some confusion on here; this George Scales not the same as the other more famous George Scales (1920-2007) who wrote 'Weighing Up', etc., and corresponded with Farmers Weekly. That is another unrelated George Scales.

The George Scales I'm getting at was involved with The Richard Dawkins Foundation, and had interesting heroic exploits in WWII. His Essex farm was popular with metal detectorists for many years (and now has new management that disallows any detectorists). Any help or memories would be much appreciated,
David Howes