Remembering Mrs. Campbell: The Heart of the Angus Berry Season

In the world of agriculture, there are a few special people whose dedication becomes the backbone of an entire industry. For over 50 years, Mrs. Campbell was that person for the Angus berry industry, specifically at Balhungie Berry Farm.

Her family could list a million things that made her special, but the biggest was her unwavering dedication and loyalty to the berry season. She began her work in September 1956 and retired in 2001 at the age of 76, a testament to a lifetime of hard work and passion.

The Rhythm of the Berries

Mrs. Campbell’s working days were a symphony of diligence and order. Her favourite job was lacing berries with her radio tied around her waist, a small detail that speaks volumes about her hands-on, meticulous nature. She was the one who weighed every single berry on the scales, keeping a precise note of each picker’s output. At the end of the day, she’d do all the books, and if the numbers were even a penny off, she wouldn’t stop until she found the discrepancy. Her commitment to accuracy was legendary and ensured everyone was paid correctly for their hard work.

A Community Pillar

Mrs Campbell’s influence extended far beyond the weigh-in shed. She was the friendly face that greeted families from Dundee who came picking on the double-decker Berry bus—a detail that paints a vibrant picture of a bygone era. She loved the many students who crossed her path and stayed in touch with many of them over the years, showing her genuine connection to the community she helped build. Her kind but firm nature meant she was respected by all the pickers.

The Berry Tan and Lasting Legacy

Her family remembers her frequent saying, “brown as a berry,” a phrase she embodied with a permanent berry tan. Many hours were spent outside, tabard on and flask and ‘pieces’ in hand, whether in the fields or in front of her house, a picture of a life lived in harmony with the land.

The dedication of people like Mrs. Campbell is the reason the Angus berry industry is so widely renowned. Her story is a reminder that behind every successful farm and every juicy punnet of berries is a person whose hard work, loyalty, and passion made it all possible. We are all proud of her legacy, and her spirit lives on in every season.