‘Cheery man’ didn’t plan to retire

Sandy Ingram may have been in his 70s, but he had no plans to step back from farming.

And his widow believes he would have continued working the farm at Newmachar for years to come.

Having grown up locally, the beef and arable farmer took on the property at Elrick House and was well-known within the community.

He was involved with the Young Farmers’ Clubs and, in his earlier years, had been a member of the Inverurie tug o war team.

It was through the team’s annual dinner-dance he met his wife-to-be, Ann.

The couple were married at Newmachar Parish Church in 1974, and had one son – Andrew, now 38.

Mrs Ingram described her husband as a “family man” who would do anything for those he cared about.

“He was always a cheery person,” she said. “He was also very sensitive and caring. He was a family man and loved his nephews and nieces and was always very fun with them.”

At weekends, Mr and Mrs Ingram would head off for a drive through the countryside.

It normally featured an ice cream stop, no matter the weather.

Mrs Ingram added: “I don’t think he would have retired. He’d have continued farming because it was always what he wanted to do. He liked being busy and being outside.

“He just loved his animals.”

Mrs Ingram said beloved golden Labrador Emma – who had alerted her something was wrong on the night Mr Ingram was injured – had died only six months ago.

“She was never the same after that night,” she said. “I don’t know if it’s just because Sandy wasn’t there, and she was more or less his dog, or it’s because of what happened that night.”

Photograph by Kenny Elrick Police at the entrance to Sandy Ingram’s home near Newmachar.