Sydney Stephen (Steve) Swales (7 Oct 1935 - 6 Jun 2025)

In loving memory of Sydney Stephen (Steve) Swales
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Stephen (Steve) who died peacefully at York Hospital on the 6th June 2025, aged 89.

Born in Ellerton, York on 7th October 1935 to Thomas and Edith May Swales. Sadly Steve’s mother passed away when he was a baby leaving Tommy to care for Steve and his older twin siblings Mary and Malc. Tommy soon moved to his father’s farm Red Cap Farm, East Cottingwith where his sister Irene helped to raise the children. From a very young age Steve began riding ponies and became well known for his horsemanship usually winning all the local gymkhanas. He was an accomplished showjumper and it is said he once beat David Broom in a competition. He wasn’t opposed to racing either. He and his friend Gerald would take it in turns to win the Kiplingcotes horse race, the oldest annual horse race in Britain, established i1519. Steve and Gerald Popplewell took it in turns to come 1st and 2nd each year because the winner received the trophy but the second place rider got all the money. Now that’s sharing. After a disagreement with the local head mistress his father sent him to a private school in York, which suited him fine, as rather than going to school, he could be regularly found at the York Cattle market in town close to his school, where he’d rather be.

On the 4th June, 1958 Steve married Barbara and left Red Cap Farm, they lived at Kexby, near York for a little while before moving to Bibbill Farm, Melbourne, where their children Caroline and Antony were born and where they spent many happy years.

Steve was a farmer through and through—a way of life he cherished from his earliest days to his final years.

Steve’s love for farming never left him. After a brief period working on a road planing machine that took him across Europe each summer, he returned to farming—his true calling. He gained recognition far and wide for his skill and dedication, particularly in showing cattle, which became a family affair, something he enjoyed with his wife, Barbara, his son Antony and all his grand children from a very young age. Among their many achievements, they won both Champion and Reserve Champion at Lincolnshire Show. Their prize-winning efforts also earned accolades at many shows around the country, including the Royal Smithfield Show in London and the East of England Show in Birmingham. Later in life he could be seen judging at local cattle markets and livestock shows.

Steve had a love for carpentry and once said he would have liked to have been a joiner, if you’ve ever been to the farm you’ll know he would have made a fine joiner. During the building of the house his builder went into liquidation. Steve took charge and finished building the house himself, measuring, cutting and fixing every board on every wall and ceiling.

Steve also had a deep love for family and was happiest surrounded by those he loved—especially during Christmas, which he treasured. He was a proud husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who delighted in the laughter and presence of children.

He leaves behind his beloved wife Barbara, children Caroline and her husband Bez Mazloom, Antony Swales and his partner Gillian Powell, brother Malcolm Swales, grandchildren Dominique and her husband Paul Netherwood, Shaheen and his wife Kristy, Navid and his wife Meera Mazloom, and Luke Swales, Jamie and Dale Powell, great-grandchildren Jamilah, Cameron, and Sasha Mazloom, Niaz Netherwood, Darcey, Eleanor, Lilly and Ryan Powell , brothers in law Eric St.Clair and Charles and his wife Gillian Robinson.

A service to celebrate Steve’s life will be held on Monday, 30th June 2025 at 3:30pm at St. Michael’s Church, Thornton, York, followed by a gathering at Allerthorpe Golf Club to remember him with stories, warmth, and good company.

Steve will be remembered for his big heart, his sense of humour, and his unwavering sense of justice. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Family flowers only, please. Donations in his memory can be made to Cancer Research UK or St. Michael’s Church, Thornton by clicking on ‘Donate’ above.