Tim Clappison (59-69) was born in 1951, the only child of Tom and Mavis Clappison, both teachers by profession. He lived a happy childhood in Cottingham and arrived aged eight to board at Pocklington School, where he stayed until the age of eighteen. Reading Tim’s letters to home, it would be fair to say that his true passion was sport; less so academia. Studying didn’t come naturally to him but over the years he developed the dedication and determination to satisfy the requirements of the education system, and it was these traits that saw him carve a life ahead that was so reflective of the unique person he was.

Tim enjoyed all aspects of his sporting life at Pocklington School. He was an accomplished sportsman, particularly as a cricketer and shot putter, but more notably as a rugby player. This was the start of a life-long relationship with the game; his first leadership role coming about as the back row captain of a notable 1st XV in 1968-69 that remained forever friends.

Tim went on to study Agriculture at Edinburgh, where he continued to make rugby his focus, whilst studying as and when necessary. Tim made his own decisions and was headstrong in making his own path until the very end of his life.  During his time in Edinburgh, alongside close and what proved to be life-long friendships, he immersed himself in the freedom of playing rugby and exploring his musical interests.

Tim began a family with his wife Angela at age 24, welcoming Dan (87-94), Poppy (89-96) and Rosie (91-98) into the world. He began to forge what proved to be a long and successful career as a fieldsman with Birds Eye, whilst at the same time, building a family home and farm which he ran alongside his other commitments. In 1988, the family moved to Harswell, a unique setting, where Tim continued to live and farm for the rest of his life. Tim’s farm was not a job, but a way of life that he would never leave, which instilled something very prominent in the upbringing of not only his children, but so many of their friends also.

After losing Angela at aged 50, Tim provided relentless and unwavering support for his children,  single-handedly supporting them through their adult lives, and proudly welcoming his nine grandchildren into the family. He was often seen on the touchline supporting his grandchildren at Malton RUFC and Driffield RUFC, as well as all their school fixtures, including back at Pocklington School.

Tim retired from Birds Eye after 40 years’ service and was said to have developed and displayed the traits which became his trademark over the course of his career. His ‘alternative’ ways, and ‘less conventional’ way of thinking resulted in ideas that influenced how the business moved and improved their operation over the years. Tim’s dedication to his role was unwavering.

Tim went on to spend some very happy years with his partner Yvonne, enjoying their shared love of rugby and life in France. Tim rarely missed a Pocklington RUFC fixture, and once his playing career concluded in the mid-nineties, consisting of some 300 appearances, he spent much time behind the scenes at Pocklington supporting the development and management of the club.

Tim’s rugby playing career spanned almost five decades, in that time playing for teams including Pocklington School 1st XV, Hull & East Riding, Old Pocklingtonians, Edinburgh University, Scotland Universities, Roundhay, Pocklington, Driffield, York Unicorns and York RI, making an impact in many different ways, both on and off the pitch, forging life-long friendships along the way.

Tim was proud to support Dan on his own rugby journey, and when Dan went to play at Castres Olympique in 1996, this led him to forge many new friendships and connections with French rugby; the start of almost 30 years spent in France watching rugby with friends and visiting with a number of rugby tours from Pocklington.

Through school, university, rugby, farming, music and France, Tim forged friendships of a kind that saw him through his life until his dying day. In his final days Tim requested that we thank all of these friends, from so many different places, over such a long period of time, for their unwavering friendships and for so many good times.

Summing up Tim’s life in a few paragraphs is an entirely impossible task. A man that has left a legacy behind him in so many ways and for so many people. It’s true to say that life will never be the same without him for so many people; a remarkable man that we are proud to call our Dad.

Tim passed away peacefully with his family by his side, on 17 July 2024, aged 73.

(Tribute by Dan Clappison 87-94, Poppy Lamb 89-96, and Rosie Whitfield 91-98)