Frank Dodd - Ellerton & Eyton

Frank Lea Dodd

Ellerton and Eyton Ayrshires

Renowned cattle breeder and former President of the Ayrshire Cattle Society, Frank Dodd passed away peacefully after a short illness on 25^th January with the family at his side. He was 96 years old.

Frank grew up at Ellerton Grange, near Newport, Shropshire, where he worked alongside his brother Peter and father George, developing the Ellerton herd of pedigree Ayrshire cattle. The herd was founded in the early 1930’s by George and was established using heifers from strong cow families in Mr Will Slater’s Eyton, Hadley and Sheriffhales herds. These cattle were bred to bulls purchased on a regular basis from Scotland, in particular, the Bargower herd.  The herd achieved considerable success, winning many prizes all around the UK including the Royal show championship in 1976 & 77 and Breed champion at the Dairy Event in 1970,72,79 & 80. In 1974 the Ellerton herd achieved the ultimate accolade by winning the BOCM Silcock Gold trophy for the Best herd in Great Britian in all breeds.

Frank was also a director of WH Slater farms, the farming business founded by his uncle, Will Slater at Sheriffhales Manor, near Shifnal. WH Slater farms was a very large business in 40’s and 50’s comprising 3 milking herds of Ayrshires. These cattle were at the very top of the breed. In 1949 the show team won virtually every prize at the London Dairy show including Supreme Champion. The following year, the draft sale was attended by over 2500 people and world record prices were achieved.

Following Mr Slater’s premature death, in 1962 Frank took on the running of the business with his Aunty Elizabeth and oversaw the dispersal sale of the Hadley and Eyton herds when the tenancies of these farms was surrendered. The Sheriffhales herd was retained but continued under the Eyton prefix which was the first prefix that Mr Slater registered. The herd was housed in magnificent white tiled cow sheds decked out with hanging baskets of flowers.

The ‘new’ Eyton herd also achieved considerable success including the Inter breed Championship of the Royal show in 1973 and the Dairy event on three occasions.

The Ellerton and Eyton herds worked closely together and continued holding bi-annual draft sales of heifers and young bulls alternately at the two farms up to the late 80’s. These sales drew large crowds every year from across the UK and abroad. In 1994 Frank purchased Upper Woodhead Apricot at the conference sale for a record price of 10,000gns from the Morrell family. Apricot went to win the Dairy event in 1994 and was reserve champion at the Royal and Dairy event in 1997. She bred 3 bulls that went into AI.

Frank was a highly respected judge of dairy cattle and was in demand as a judge at shows around the country and overseas.  He served on the Ayrshire cattle society council and in 1976 had the honour of being elected President.

A strong believer in farmer cooperation, he was Vice chairman of Wrekin farmers for 25 years. He was also on the council of Royal Association of British Dairy farmers. He supported his local agricultural show at Newport throughout his life and was President in 1977.

Away from farming, Frank was a circuit steward of his local Methodist chapel at Soudley and regularly attended St Mary’s church in Sheriffhales as well. He enjoyed game shooting and watching sport particularly cricket.

Frank had four daughters with his first wife, Jean who died tragically in 1962. He later married Heather who had also been sadly widowed with two young sons.  John and Andrew both joined the business and continue to farm at Ellerton Grange and Attwell park.

After retirement Heather and Frank moved to Park View in Sheriffhales where he played a big part in the village community, serving on the parish council and village hall committees for many years. They were keen gardeners and were kept busy looking after their large garden and enjoying frequent visits from their 17 grandchildren.  Frank and Heather were happily married for 59 years. He will be sorely missed.