H.D. Jago (Prep & Shirley 1946-1953)

The OW Society were saddened to hear the passing of Hugh Jago on 10th May 2020 at Parkfield Care Home, Carlisle.

At Worksop, Hugh was an exceptional sportsman; indeed he is amongst the finest all-round sportsmen Worksop has ever produced. He played first team rugby, hockey and cricket from the age of 16 and gained school caps in all three sports and an unprecedented fourth cap for athletics. On Sports Day in 1953, he set a College record of 22.7 in the 220y, which was described by the author of the summer 1953 Shirley House report as “Herculean”. He inevitably won the Victor Ludorem in 1953 and still proudly displayed his winner’s photo, some 67 years later. In 1953 during the annual athletics match against the Achilles Club, Hugh was pitted against two Olympians in the form of: R. Pinnington (Great Britain) in the 220y and D. Macmillan (Australia) over 440y. Far from being overawed by the occasion he went on to equal the school record in the latter event. His batting at cricket (bearing in mind he was a contemporary of Phil Sharpe of future England fame) was described as “devastating” and at rugby he was described as “a constant menace to the opposing backs”. Hockey was arguably his best sport and he was described as a “hard working captain whose tireless energy has been an example to his side”.

After Worksop, Hugh completed his National service in the Royal Signals, studied agriculture at Broomfield College and went on to farm in Shropshire, Cheshire and Yorkshire – also finding time to represent Derbyshire at hockey. He then travelled the world for four years, working in Israel, teaching English in Calcutta, picking fruit in Australia and hops in Tasmania. He worked with 20,000 Merino sheep in New South Wales and on a Poll Shorthorn estate. In Hamilton, New Zealand he was employed in a freezing works, managed a fish and chip shop and ran a youth hostel.

On returning to the UK, he married Pam, a Derbyshire farmer’s daughter and they had two daughters, Catherine and Claire – whom he adored. In 1973 the family moved to Edenhall, where Hugh became herd manager at Edenhall Estates until his retirement in 1998. During his well-earned retirement, Hugh was extremely active within the Cumbrian community, volunteering in many roles and enjoyed gardening, cooking, bowls, theatre and travel.

He sadly developed dementia in 2017 and was cared for in Parkfield Dementia Care Home until his death in May 2020 aged 87.