Tributes have been paid to Kilnsey farmer Russell Carlisle, who has died aged 87.

Mr Carlisle, of Chapel House Farm, was born in 1925 and attended Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton.

He went on to work on his father’s farm and, by 1952, was bottling and delivering milk to Grassington, Conistone, Kilnsey, Arncliffe, Hawkswick and Litton. He reluctantly retired in 2008.

“He delivered milk 365 days a year and in 55 years he never missed a day of doing the milk round,” said his son Nicholas, of Kilnsey.

“It was a social thing for him, as people often offered him a cup of tea.”

Nicholas said many would also remember his father for his ability to remain upright on a pushbike while driving cows at a “tortoise speed”.

“Everybody in the dale knew Russell for his cows and his pushbike,” said Nicholas. “He was always a cheerful, happy fellow who would do anything for anybody.”

Mr Carlisle was involved in just about everything in the area over the years, including Kilnsey Show, where he was a cattle steward and was president in 2000 and 2002. He was a director of Craven Cattle Marts for nearly 40 years.

He joined Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association two weeks after it was established in 1948 and was a great supporter of cricket and rugby, being instrumental in re-establishing Wharfedale Rugby Club after the Second World War.

Mr Carlisle was a dedicated member of Craven Masonic Lodge since 1965, was a member of St Mary’s Church, Conistone, where he was churchwarden for 38 years, and was a long-time member of Conistone and Kilnsey Parish Council.

Nicholas said the summary of his father’s eulogy, given by Chris Baker, was a fitting tribute to his father.

It stated: “Everything that happened locally... Russell was in the thick of it. With a record like that Russell, you deserve the highest honour. You were one ‘helluva’ guy, and in the Olympics of life you certainly get the gold medal by a long way.”

Mr Carlisle is survived by sons Antony, John and Nicholas, daughter-in-law Helen and grandson, Thomas.