Pig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • 2025 Innovation supplement
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • 2025 Buildings supplement
    • February 2025
    • 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • 2024 Pig Health supplement
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • 2024 Innovation supplement
    • 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • 2024 Buildings Supplement
    • March 2024
    • 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • Health Supplement
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
Podcast
Pig WorldPig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    1. July 2025
    2. June 2025
    3. 2025 Innovation supplement
    4. May 2025
    5. April 2025
    6. March 2025
    7. 2025 Buildings supplement
    8. February 2025
    9. 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    10. January 2025
    11. December 2024
    12. November 2024
    13. 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    14. October 2024
    15. September 2024
    16. August 2024
    17. 2024 Pig Health supplement
    18. July 2024
    19. June 2024
    20. 2024 Innovation supplement
    21. 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    22. May 2024
    23. April 2024
    24. 2024 Buildings Supplement
    25. March 2024
    26. 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    27. February 2024
    28. January 2024
    29. December 2023
    30. November 2023
    31. 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    32. October 2023
    33. September 2023
    34. Health Supplement
    Featured

    July 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    July 6, 2025
    Recent

    July 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    July 6, 2025

    June 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    June 4, 2025

    2025 Innovation supplement now available

    June 4, 2025
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
LinkedIn X (Twitter)
Pig World
Cameron Naughton

On a more positive note, I was sponsored by the vicar and the undertaker

PW ReportersBy PW ReportersMay 12, 20193 Mins Read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

Cameron Naughton with his wife Muriel, rents 800 acres from the Crown Estate in Wiltshire. They have 500 outdoor sows on a three-week batch production system. Weaners are liquid-fed to bacon weight in straw yards and then sold through Thames Valley Cambac

As Muriel may have previously mentioned, I’ve done many stupid things, but jumping out of a perfectly good plane while dressed in a pig onesie is probably fairly high up the list.

On the flight up a number of things came to mind, including the doctor’s words: “You’re 52, you’re asthmatic, you’ve previously dislocated your shoulder, had operations on both knees and have pins in both feet, but I will sign your medical certificate so long as you don’t blame me if it goes wrong!”

On a more positive note, I was sponsored by the vicar and the undertaker with the promise of a reduced-price funeral service if the outcome were to be unhappy. Furthermore, the Ancient Auctioneer promised to reduce his commission in the event of a forced sale. The NFU Mutual office sponsored me, but refused to insure me! So, I felt everything was reasonably covered apart from vegan son and teenage daughter reminding me that: “Mum will be furious if you cripple yourself!”

Then the door opened and the man I was attached to decided to fall out, leaving me with no option but to join him. As we hurtled towards earth the words of the late, great Barry Sheene sprang to mind – but Muriel says they’re not suitable for you, gentle reader, so you will have to look them up yourself!

Suddenly after 5,000 feet and 30 seconds of travelling at 125mph, the parachute snapped open and we shot up like a pink pig on a bungee, before starting a gradual descent towards the drop zone. At this point my travel sickness tried to spoil the day, but we made it down in one piece, with the landing being considerably less bumpy than the bales I had been using to practise jumping off.

It was a special day made better by the attendance of baby Jack’s parents, Gary and Chrissie, brother Harry and Grandma Sandra. I was also touched by the support of vegan son and teenage  daughter, who were able to report to Muriel that “The old fool is in one piece”.

Obviously, the major reason for doing the jump was to raise money for the Bristol Children’s Hospital in memory of baby Jack, who died aged 12 days last August.

Ours is a family farm and our staff and their dedication to looking after the pigs are key to our business survival. When one member of staff is hurting, it affects everyone. Judging by the overwhelmingly generous support from the industry that is a sentiment echoed by so many, so thank you for your support and prayers.

It also proves that everyone loves an idiot in a pig onesie – not only did I feature in the local paper and on Radio Wiltshire, I also had a letter of congratulation from our MP. This gave me the opportunity to fire a thank-you letter back to her, highlighting our concerns on African swine fever and other challenges facing the pig industry at the moment.

Flying pigs sometimes have their uses!

Share. LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Previous ArticlePutting people first
Next Article Lily Savage and Oscar Wilde have made me fall behind with the pig records
PW Reporters

Read Similar Stories

Comment: British pork reimagined: Data-led marketing for a changing consumer

July 9, 2025

Comment: Market recovery, export growth and on-farm innovation

July 7, 2025

Comment: Encouraging signs as big pig issues discussed in parliament

July 4, 2025
Latest News

ABN kicks off pioneering long-term mill project

July 11, 2025

Red Tractor to press ahead with new tiers for outdoor pig producers

July 10, 2025

Last chance to enter or nominate for 2025 National Pig Awards

July 10, 2025
Sponsored Content

THE GATEKEEPER OF RESPIRATORY HEALTH – MYCOPLASMA HYOPNEUMONIAE (M.HYO)

April 30, 2024

Tackle the root cause of PWD with free diagnostic tests

March 1, 2024
Current Pig Industry jobs
  • Senior-Level Pig Stockperson – Ref 1760 Hampshire

    • Hampshire
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Pig Stockperson – Ref 1759 North Yorkshire

    • North Yorkshire
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Pig Stockperson – Ref 1758 Norfolk

    • Norfolk
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
GETTING IN TOUCH
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Meet The Editors
  • About Us
  • Email Newsletters
  • Subscribe
  • Reuse permissions
OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
PARTNER EVENTS
RELATED SITES
  • Farmers Weekly
  • Agronomist & Arable Farmer
  • Farm Contractor
  • National Pig Awards
  • Pigs Tomorrow
  • Poultry News
  • Weekly Tribune
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
© 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.