Obituary Julian Street ("George")

11th June 1937 - 2nd June 2019

Julian was born in Salisbury and grew up on a large farm called 'Ratfyn Farm' near Amesbury, Wiltshire. These early years spent on the farm were to have a huge influence on his whole life.

After attending Avondale School in Amesbury and Salisbury Cathedral School, Julian began his time as a boarder at Blundell's in September 1950. This was something that at first he really didn't like. Months away from the farm was not what he wanted. However, his older brother 'Derek' was already at Blundell's and this made the transition slightly easier.

Julian was nicknamed "George" by everyone who knew him in the Blundell's community, as in 'farmer George' because of his farming background and slight Wiltshire accent. Some fifty years later at Taunton Cricket Ground in the Blundell's Old Boys Room and someone called out "George! Nice to see you old boy!" The name stayed with him forever.

During his years at Blundell's Julian was Head of Westlake House and also became Head Boy. He was an extremely talented sportsman. He loved all sport, so much so that he captained the cricket team, the rugby team, the fencing team and the cross-country team. Considering he originally wasn't overly keen on going to Blundell's at all, he certainly seemed to enjoy his years there. Throughout his life he often talked about his school days, his sporting achievements, the daily routines, the house masters and his friends. They were clearly very good times which he always remembered and talked about with great fondness.

After passing all his O'Level and A'Level exams and spending a year as Head Boy, Julian left Blundell's in June 1956 and went off to do his National Service. After completing Officer Cadet Training, he found himself posted to Northern Cyprus as a 2nd Lieutenant with his Battalion (1 Wilts) where he served as a Platoon Commander, Infantry, for some 18 months.

On completing his National Service Julian returned to England and he travelled to Cambridge University to read Geography. He continued to play rugby as much as he possibly could and after two years he decided to leave University life and begin his career. He was always very honest and said that he was never really that studious and was only really there for the rugby! "l wasn't the academic sort" he used to say.

In 1960 Julian began his life long career with the National Farmers Union, starting in Stratford-Upon-Avon, as an Insurance Inspector. He had by now met his future wife Janet and they married in September 1961. Julian's work took him and his family back to Wiltshire where he was a County Inspector (1965-1972) based in Devizes, before moving down to the Exeter branch in 1972. Julian, Janet and their 3 children, Richard, Timothy and Jane moved to their new home in Teignmouth, South Devon.

Julian continued to enjoy sport throughout his life. After his school, Army and University years where he managed to keep playing rugby whenever he could, he later enjoyed playing a variety of different sports including squash, tennis, cricket and golf. He was also a member of the Dartmoor Rescue Group and enjoyed many mountaineering trips to the Lake District, Scotland, Skye and the Brecon Beacons as well as the regular weekend hikes across Dartmoor with the family.

Julian retired from the NFU in 1994 due to health reasons but continued to play golf regularly at Teignmouth Golf Club as a keen member of the Seniors and he also enjoyed Freemasonry and took his turn as Master of the Benevolent Lodge.

In 1997 Julian and Janet moved from the family home in Teignmouth to Ideford Combe, a quiet little rural community just outside Newton Abbot, where Julian once again was surrounded by fields and was able to spend time with nature, which he loved. He was back to his childhood but now with sheep, horses, dogs, cats and the wildlife. Julian and Janet also welcomed their family regularly, their three children and nine grandchildren, who he adored.

In his later years Julian became a National Trust Volunteer at Castle Drogo, near Okehampton in Devon, something which he was so proud of and thoroughly enjoyed.

Julian (George) was a caring, decent, kind, thoughtful and loving man. He will be sadly missed by so many. He died peacefully at home on Sunday 2nd June 2019, just 9 days before his 82nd birthday, with his wife Janet holding his hand.

Julian was a wonderful husband, dad, grandad and friend. He will always be remembered as a gentle man. A true "gentleman."