Tony Swire

Tony is indigenous to the Shropshire being born on a farm in Norton-in-Hales in 1942 and unsurprisingly, having grown up in a farming family he became a farmer.

In 1970 he moved to College Fields farm near Woore and became a Dairy farmer and he has lived there ever since, although these days he is semi-retired.

In 1983, he was diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic (injecting) when in hospital having his appendix removed.

The discovery was both an unpleasant surprise and a shock at the thought of having to inject himself several times a day for the rest of his life.

As with all diabetics, he had little choice but to accept the situation and became accustomed to the new regime and has led and continues to lead a normal life thanks to the treatment he receives and dietary control.

He says things have changed dramatically on the treatment front especially regarding the disposable syringes which make life very easy and provide virtually painless injections.

Tony’s hobbies are collecting and renovating old farm machinery, golf and walking – he also has a share of a racehorse.

He is married to Ruth and has two children and three grandchildren.