Not a Toff: The Life Story of Donald Curry Baron of Kirkharle - Softcover

Cockburn, Jim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1917455402 ISBN 13: 9781917455404

Publisher: Malcolm Down Publishing Limited, 2025

Synopsis

Not a Toff by Jim Cockburn is the unforgettable story of Lord Donald Curry – a Northumberland hill farmer who rose to the House of Lords, advised prime ministers and worked alongside King Charles III yet never lost touch with his roots.

From milking cows in the Coquet Valley to chairing government commissions in Westminster, Curry’s life has been shaped by grit, humility and faith.

At the height of agricultural crises such as BSE, he became the trusted voice of Britain’s farmers, defending rural communities in their darkest hours. In a landmark court case, his expert testimony even helped clear a major estate of wrongful charges, earning respect for his straight-talking honesty and deep knowledge of farming life.

But this is no tale of privilege. Despite his title, Curry is not – and never has been – a “toff.”

Those who know him best describe a man of compassion, resilience and unwavering humility, guided by Christian values and a fierce commitment to serving others.

Inspiring, down-to-earth, and deeply human, this is the story of an extraordinary man who proves that true influence comes not from status, but from service.

About this title

About the Author

Jim Cockburn is a retired headteacher living in the north east of England, having spent almost forty years in the teaching profession. Jim is the author of 'One Thread in God's Rich Tapestry', Contending For Truth and 'All by Grace: 21 Years of Christian Headship'.

From the Back Cover

Not a Toff tells the gripping true story of Lord Donald Curry, a Northumberland farmer who rose from the fields of the Coquet Valley to the heart of British public life. Despite a seat in the House of Lords and decades advising prime ministers and King Charles III, Donald never pretended to be anything other than what he is: a practical farmer with deep roots and deeper faith. A trusted national voice during the BSE crisis and a steady advocate for rural communities, Donald's honesty and experience have shaped policy, supported struggling families, and even swayed the outcome of a major court case. But behind the titles stands a man known for humility, compassion, and a life of service. Not a Toff is an inspiring account of how one farmer rose to influence without losing his integrity, proving that real leadership grows from character, not privilege.

Edition details

• Publisher: Malcolm Down Publishing Limited
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1917455402
• ISBN 13: 9781917455404
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320