DRC News D E R B Y S H I R E R U R A L C H A P L A I N C Y N E W S L E T T E R J U N E 2 0 2 0
Image taken from: https://dioni.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CuriousLamb_800.jpg In this issue So Proud of Derbyshire Young Farmers: Emily Brailsford Strange Times... Even Dick Turpin Wore a Mask! Alastair Sneddon Meet Our New DRC Administrator Meet the New Chair of the DRC Steering Group A Wonderful Way of Life by farmers Bill and Jean Dilks Here to Talk in Difficult Times: The Samaritans My Time on an Avocado Farm by Phill Battelle from Old 20 We've changed our name, but only a little .. DAC to DRC If you need help ... where to go for support 'Our Life' by farmers Deborah and Peter Bettney Stay Safe, Stay Well & Keep Your Spirits Up! Councillor Garry Purdy 'Hero in a Tractor' by Jackie Fee, NFU Bakewell Office The Willow Project: Emily Brailsford Derbyshire TB Update by Andrew Critchlow NFU County Advisor Livestock and Walkers...a few thoughts from farmer Colin Taberner Heating Oil - the Highs and Lows: Emma Simpson
Contact DRC on 07710 088972
Hello from Alan!
We hope you enjoy the variety of articles in this edition of the DRC news and that they help the farming community across Derbyshire stay connected and are an encouragement at this time. Every death to Coronavirus is a tragedy for families and communities and the true economic impact is, in many ways, yet to be felt. I want to assure the agricultural community that the rural chaplaincy team is as committed as ever to providing help and support where we can. So, a big thank you from us, to all in the farming community for cracking on with the job in these extraordinary times, and we're praying for rain!
Our DRC news is designed to celebrate the contribution of agriculture in Derbyshire and offer some helpful information. If you could make the most of each copy by passing it on to someone you think might enjoy reading it that would be great.
We also hope to come together for worship in the Main Store ring in Bakewell Livestock Market on Sunday 25th October for a Harvest celebration only if restrictions allow! If you need to get in touch with us for any reason please contact 07710 088972 or email [email protected]
A big thank you to the Duke of Devonshire's Charitable Trust for making this edition of the DRC News possible and also for extending the publication into North East Derbyshire.
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 So Proud of Derbyshire Young Farmers
Emily Brailsford - Chaplain to Young Farmers Well what peculiar times we are having! I can't write without ignoring what is happening in the world at the moment - the big 'C' word. We are all coping very differently to this odd situation with some people coping through exercise, some people using the time to relax and others coping by throwing themselves into work.
Derbyshire Young Farmers Clubs have adapted amazingly well by ensuring they have a strong online presence with competitions, quizzes and video challenges taking place. Not only that but Ashover Young Farmers have raised over £1600 for Ashgate Hospice and Derby Young Farmers have been out in the community doing shopping for the elderly and those at risk. I couldn't be more proud to be associated with this group of young people!
Whilst this period of isolation has been hard for most of us, the Young Farmers of Derbyshire really have demonstrated what community spirit means. It's my hope that this time of change means that we begin to really appreciate each other, the people who maybe we haven't really considered before, and that this appreciation is shown to our British farmers as well.
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 Strange Times .... Even Dick Turpin Wore a Mask! Alastair Sneddon, Bagshaws Bakewell I have always known that farmers were an adaptable breed and the virus emergency has clearly demonstrated those qualities. Early on in the crisis Defra recognised that livestock markets play a vital role in the food supply chain and needed to be kept running if at all possible.The prospect of descending into the chaos of private trading, with dealers and buyers having to visit farms, exposing vulnerable people to disease risks and with no auction results to guide pricing, there would be financial casualties to go with the physical ones. So auctioneers were told that if stringent guidelines were adhered to, business should continue. The main difference being that vendors had to `drop and go', leaving market staff to unload and sort stock and of course the biggest blow, vendors were not permitted to enter the market buildings or be present when their stock was being sold. Rather like leaving children at the school gates for their first day, it was clearly a wrench to part with stock at the unloading docks and leave them to the mercy of the market.
There were new rules for buyers too. Social distancing meant that they had to stand in specified spots two metres apart, some several tiers up from their regular positions, gloved, sanitised and in some cases masked, although not the sort that Dick Turpin would have recognised! With just the registered buyers round the ring they looked like suitably spaced out battery hens! However, with a strong element of `making it work` from all concerned, it did, and after a couple of quieter weeks stock numbers crept back to normal levels.
In an attempt to give vendors some comfort, at the end of April we installed a live streaming camera so that the sale could be seen and heard by anyone on Facebook. This is not a comfortable feeling for the auctioneer knowing that every word and deed is being observed by goodness knows who, but it was well received by the farming fraternity and a little discomfort is a small price to pay for keeping the market going.
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As I write on 1st May it is anyone`s guess as to how long the measures will remain in place, but for the time being Bakewell market is open for business even if it is not `as usual`.
Alastair Sneddon
Our New DRC Administrator Hello, I am Louise, the new DRC part-time, temporary administrator. I am truly delighted to be part of the chaplaincy team supporting their vital work to those of you in rural and agricultural communities and I look forward to meeting some of you in the months ahead.
I live near Bradley and Shirley and have three teenage children. I never tire of seeing such natural beauty in the area where I live and of course in our beautiful Peak District which I love. Louise Latham & Bess
I give thanks to God everyday for His amazing creation given to us to enjoy and crucially, to look after: "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it" (Psalm 24.1) I do believe that we are all called to be good stewards and to do what we can to live in balance and harmony with nature. I am a keen organic vegetable grower and have an allotment in Brailsford which sadly are all being returned to the landowner in September, so I am now growing as much as I can at home albeit on a much smaller scale.
I also work for St Barnabas Church in Derby as their part-time administrator and where we also worship.
My contact details are: [email protected] or 07593 380311 should you need to get in touch.
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 Meet the New Chair of the Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy Steering Group… the Hon David Legh
David Legh DL, FRICS, MRAC has spent his career as a rural chartered surveyor in general practice, latterly as chairman of Fisher German LLP. Now retired, he concentrates on the management of the Cubley Estate near Ashbourne owned by him and his family. In 2010 David published “40 Years owning a Rural Estate – a retrospective and the challenges ahead” for which he was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Agricultural University 100 Club. He was High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 2006-7 and is a Deputy Lieutenant of the County. He remains actively involved with a number of local organisations and charities. David is married to an Anglican priest, currently priest-in-charge of a rural benefice; they have four children and ten grandchildren. He is a member of the Chapter of Derby Cathedral and a warden of his local church.
He was invited by the Bishop of Derby to join the Derbyshire Agricultural Chaplaincy in 2017 and was appointed Chair of the Steering Group in October 2019. David says “At a time when UK society seems increasingly dominated by secular habits and assumptions, and when religious attendance and affiliation seem to be in decline, there are more and more stories of chaplaincy
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 spreading into new settings. Chaplaincy to the Rural and Agricultural community is one area that I wholeheartedly support and in these uncertain times, it is good to know that the chaplaincy team is there to offer a helping hand. The current closure of our churches and places of worship has encouraged us to use streaming resources widely for worship and communication. This is clearly an area which the chaplaincy will look to develop"
There is a reading from the bible that says: “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endu res to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” This is of course a metaphor for the early Christian disciples, encouraging them that all their works and teaching should be in God’s name and should last for ever. But it can also be treated literally: farmers and rural workers grow our food, which should be sustainable and fulfilling. We must ensure that they have the tools, resources and the support they need. Our hope is that the chaplaincy will assist in this process, in God’s name”
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 A Wonderful Way of Life by Bill Dilks I am writing this article on 30th March 2020 in the midst of world turmoil trying to cope with an invisible enemy – the coronavirus. For the last three days I have been self-isolating in a tractor with only my dog for company and the radio which is stuck on Smooth Radio - a popular music channel with a few adverts which isn’t too bad. I have been rotovating which is a very steady job and gives me plenty of time to look around and reflect. It has made me realise how lucky I am to be doing something that I have been doing for the last sixty years and have never been bored with it, even cultivating and planting fields that I planted fifty-eight years ago. As I look around, I notice a hedge that my father cut and laid in 1962, a quick thorn hedge that I planted 18 years ago in full leaf so early in the year.
On my first day out with the rotovator I spotted a pair of grey partridge and a single lapwing that has now been joined by three more, also, a good number of skylarks, quite a lot of black headed gulls, several fat wood pigeons that have feasted on our organic clover and four buzzards (something which we would not have seen sixty years ago). I watched a cock pheasant proudly following a hen down the headland furrow when suddenly they were joined by another fine specimen trying to butt in on the proceedings – a good scrap took place! I also saw wagtails and of course the inevitable crow going after the pickings of the newly turned over soil. I have also noted that my dog and I must have about the same bladder capacity, as when I stop to water the tractor wheel, she also gets out for a tiddle!
Contact DRC on 07710 088972
Through life I have never moved far away from farming. In the early years I was in the Young Farmers and later joined the NFU, being county chairman and delegate representing Derbyshire throughout the 1990s. I still take an interest in agricultural politics. I am currently chairman of the Derbyshire branch of RABI where our strong committee do our best to raise money for farming families who have hit hard times through no fault of their own, for example ill health, accident, or sheer bad luck. All in all, it is a very satisfying and worthwhile charity.
Yes, I’m lucky to still have the same excitement in selecting the seed to sow, planting it and watching it grow, nurturing it and hoping for a better result than last year. They say farming is a way of life and I say there is no better one. Perhaps not one of the highest paid careers one might have but the fulfillment of working with nature and at the same time feeding the nation is pretty satisfying.
Bill & Jean Dilks
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 Here to Talk in Difficult Times by Lorna Francis Samaritans' vision is that fewer people die by suicide. We are a nationwide charity with 201 branches across the UK and Ireland. Samaritans offer listening support to people in times of need. Suicide rates for farmers are amongst the highest of any occupation and this is also true for veterinary surgeons. As a mixed practice vet for all my working life, I have lost friends and colleagues in this tragic way and am aware of the devastation suffered by everyone involved. So, when I retired from full time veterinary work and had some time to call my own, I decided to volunteer with Samaritans.
Samaritans is for anyone who is struggling to cope or going through a difficult time and needs someone to listen to them without judgement or pressure. Many people find sharing their worries with someone who has the time to listen is immensely helpful. The Samaritan volunteer is not emotionally bound up with the caller or their life and has time to give their full attention to what is being said, without being interrupted by what is going on around them. Contact with Samaritans can be made by phone or email 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year (farming hours!).
You can call us FREE on 116126 or email [email protected]
Sometimes writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you understand them better. The caller’s phone number or email address are not visible; the volunteer only knows what the caller wants to tell them and nothing more. Samaritans is available to anyone at any time, no worry is too small or large. For more information visit our website www.samaritans.org.
Lorna Francis, Samaritans Volunteer and Retired Vet
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 My Time on an Avocado Farm Hi everyone, this is Phill from the OLD 20 Parts Company. You may have seen me in our stand at Bakewell market on Mondays. When I’m not selling parts and talking tractors, I’m also a member of the Moravian Church at Ockbrook, near Derby. The Moravian Church as a whole originated from the Czech Republic during the reformation in the 15th century. Over many, many years the church worked its way across Europe and around the world including coming to England in the early eighteenth century.
The Moravians (AKA the Unitas Fratrum, AKA the Unity of the Brethren) are recognised as one of the few ‘worldwide churches’ around today. Divided up into provinces, mission provinces and mission areas we are all part of what is called a worldwide unity. This consists of more than a million people in more than 40 countries around the world. Tanzania in Africa is the largest collection of Moravians currently and is so big that the one country is divided into 7 different provinces. One of the reasons for this is that it gives the different areas a chance to easily govern themselves and focus on their communities rather than trying to cover such a large area.
Back in January of 2019, I was invited to represent the European region (which includes the British province...even after Brexit) at the Unity Youth Committee meeting. This is a group of youth members from different parts of the worldwide Moravian Church who come together and discuss what youth work is occurring in our areas and how we can bring our youth members together by any means possible including social media, events or conversations. After a successful few days meeting we were given the opportunity as a group to go and explore some of the churches and mission areas that the Moravians in Tanzania partake in.
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 One of these areas was in a place called Rungwe, in Mbeya. There the church runs a guesthouse and archive as well as holding a lot of good agricultural land. This land is leased to a separate farming company that works in line with the theology and ideas of the church to produce huge amounts of avocados. The project that started in 2010 covers 43.7 hectares with 26,220 avocado trees as well as providing work to 250 employees. In 2018 the company managed to harvest more than 175 tons of avocado fruits*. During our visit we were shown around the whole farm and met the farm manager. He gave us a great insight into the workings and management. The avocados, after being harvested, are divided into three main categories. The A grade avocados are packaged and shipped to other markets around the world; the majority of these are destined for European and UK markets. The B grade fruits are packaged and sold to the local markets in Tanzania. A 100 kg bag of B grade will usually go for about 70,000 Tanzanian Shillings (TSH)*.....that’s about £25.00 GBP at the time of writing this article (how much do you pay for a pack of two at your local supermarket?) The C grade fruits are transported to a local processing plant which converts the fruits into avocado oil for use in other products and foods.
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 The amazing thing I realised whilst working around the farm and speaking with the manager is that there does not seem to be one piece of machinery used in the harvesting of the avocados! Forever on the lookout for a tractor wherever I travel, I looked as hard as I could and found nothing (I thought there might have at least been an old Fergy?!) It’s quite amazing that this large enterprise works so efficiently and productively without a single filter to change. It is also a wonderful example of their shared ideals as they look to continue a business in a world that demands responsibility for its impact on the environment and the climate.
The plantation's website lists their commitments which includes not only their commitments to their environment but also their people; employed and locally in the community. They aim to offer support as a source of income and as a way to improve infrastructures as well as support people spiritually, socially and economically. They are a testament that farming and agriculture is still a great foundation for any country moving into the 21st century. It is still a ‘grass roots’ environment where we can build or share ideas to support and grow our world. So we all can survive and develop a place that cultivates happiness, equality and safety for everyone around the globe.
If you have any questions about anything in this article please feel free to contact me. You can email me: [email protected] or drop into our store in Shardlow or at Bakewell market on a Monday.
*Information quoted from the planation’s website; http://www.mct-sp.org/other-activities/avocado-plantation
Phill Battelle
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 We've changed our name, but only a little ... We have changed our name slightly. The Derbyshire Agricultural Chaplaincy (DAC) is seeking to portray more accurately the wider work which the chaplaincy undertakes by changing its name to Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy (DRC). Why? Well, the chaplaincy has supported a number of individuals or families living in and working in the rural economy, but not directly connected to agriculture.
According to the Office for National Statistics, tragically, between 2011 and 2018 an average of 75 people each year took their own life in skilled agriculture and related trades in England alone (ONS, October 2019).
The rural chaplaincy have recently supported a number of farming families when a family member has sadly taken their own life; taking the funeral or providing ongoing support. It's hard for us all to appreciate the pain and loss felt by the families as they live with the many unanswered questions. So, the DRC want to be available to do all we can to prevent people taking their own life and respond to a broader range of concerns and needs in rural areas, whilst retaining the agricultural community as our key focus. If you think we can help anyone please get in touch with us by calling 07710 088972. Together we can make a difference.
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 Farming charity R.A.B.I (The Royal Agriculural Benevolent Institution) has adapted its processes in order to continue providing support to the farming community during lockdown. Office-based staff are working remotely whilst regional welfare officers who provide the human link between the charity and those needing help are manning the confidential FREEPHONE Helpline 0808 281 9490.
R.A.B.I has welfare officers throughout England and Wales and much of their regular work involves making personal visits. Now, in addition to providing frontline telephone support, regional welfare officers are also working hard to contact the hundreds of people the charity already assists to make sure they are okay. R.A.B.I has cancelled or postponed fundraising events until further notice. However, donations can still be made via justgiving.com/rabi Rob Harris, Communications Manager, said: “We are extremely grateful for all donations, large or small, as we continue to do our absolute best to support farming people of all ages through these difficult and uncertain times.”
Struggling and not sure where to turn? Through just one phone call, farmers in need can access free, impartial and confidential support from all four charities: RABI, Addington Fund, FCN, and Forage Aid. Call 03000 111 999 Helpline (operated by FCN) open 7am-11pm every day of the year Contact DRC on 07710 088972 'Our Life' by Deborah and Peter Bettney Peter and I came to Congreave Farm 38 years ago in June. We had both been brought up with a farming background. However, Peter’s dream was to have his own farm. We were fortunate enough to get the tenancy on Congreave Farm, Nr Rowsley. We cashed in our house at Calver to finance the purchase of stock and implements. Peter continued to mine for a further 5 years, doing both jobs. We were milking, so I milked one end of the day on my own as well as doing any other jobs during the day that needed to be done. We had been married 11 years at this point and had an 11-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter. This was quite a shock to our children, going from living in a village to now being isolated from their friends; something that is now happening to a lot of children, and it’s not an easy transition. Hopefully, this current situation will not continue too long into the future.
We had only moved 8 miles but we didn’t know anyone, though our farmer neighbours soon made themselves known to us. The first time I met our nearest neighbour was when he came up our drive in his land rover with a dog sat beside him on the front seat. I was milking at the time but went out to talk to him. His excuse for this visit was to ask if I had lost a dog as he’d found one. However, as I later found out, the dog sat by him was his own! He just wanted a reason to introduce himself, and we are thankful he did. He was a great character and one of his many sayings was: “You should always find time to speak to your farmer neighbours even if he’s busy and tells you to bugger off!” We have been very fortunate to have amazing farmer neighbours; the farming family is very extensive and we’ve been very grateful to ours over the years. It was only last November that our neighbours once again came to our aid. The River Derwent flooded our land at Rowsley, rising 17ft, flooding a 20-acre field and drowning 20 of our in-lamb ewes.
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 We were actually away at the time and our daughter had to deal with the situation with the help of our neighbours. She found it a heart-breaking experience. With the help of John Eley, we were put in touch with the Prince’s Countryside Fund who were helping farmers who had lost stock and fodder through the flooding. For this we were very grateful. To our surprise a few days later we got a call asking if the Prince of Wales could pay us a private visit, which he did on the 23rd December. A huge privilege, which was beyond our wildest dreams, that the Prince would be interested enough to visit us, such a small farm. Other famers who had been affected also came and he sat down with us all and had a cup of tea - the whole visit was so relaxed and easy. We now find ourselves considering retirement and only keeping 100 sheep. We did milk for 13 years but only milking 35 cows was a money losing exercise with milk quotas, BSE and foot and mouth all taking their toll. We had sucklers for a while after and then TB testing became more frequent, which for us became quite difficult; Peter had two close calls with young bulls so we decided sheep would be safer. We did diversify in 1999 to do bed & breakfast, letting just 2 rooms of our farm house, as our children had left home. This enabled us to continue on the farm with the sheep and enjoy our life. Just seeing the lambs playing in the spring sunshine each morning is a joy. We are very thankful!
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 Stay Safe, Stay Well & Keep Your Spirits Up! Councillor Ga rry Purdy, Leader of Derbyshire Dales District Council
Once again the Dales' economy faces huge challenges. Six months ago we began the recovery process following serious flooding. However, not since 2001 have we seen challenges of this scale. Like other parts of our economy, farming, particularly the dairy sector and farms diversifying into tourism have been hit hard. Over the last six weeks the District Council has been working to support local businesses, both through administering government grants to eligible small businesses - over £26.5 m paid out to 2,300 businesses at the last count - and lobbying the Government on gaps within their current support schemes. Utilising grants the District Council has been able to assist the farming community in some areas, for example where holiday accommodation, retail or other diversification has taken place and this property is separately registered for Non Domestic Rates. However, we are well aware this support is only available to some and does not extend to the core farm business. I was therefore extremely pleased to see help announced this week for the dairy sector. Last month the District Council wrote to our Derbyshire Dales MP in support of the NFU’s ‘Asks’ of government. Dairy farmers in the Dales supplying food service businesses have seen their market disappear overnight so the new grant scheme is a very welcome step indeed and I would encourage farmers to apply when the scheme opens for applications. I am also very grateful to our partners Bagshaws for the adaptions they have put in place to enable the Bakewell livestock market to operate on a ‘drop and go’ basis at the Council’s Agricultural Business Centre.
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 Although the opportunity to talk face to face has had to be put on hold for everyone at the moment, maintaining the market is crucial at this time for the wider industry. Over the coming weeks we expect to learn more about the Government’s plans to gradually move out of lockdown and longer term recovery measures. We will continue to press the Government and ministers with regard to the plight of the farming community in the Derbyshire Dales.
For now my message is simple: stay safe, stay well and keep your spirits up! Derbyshire Dales folk are resilient, and none more so than farmers and their families.
'Hero in a Tractor' by Jackie Fee, NFU Bakewell Boris has told us to stay at home, But people are arguing the right to roam. The Derbyshire Dales and surrounding fields, Farmers still working to provide our meals. The spring lambs have come and that is a blessing, But the end to lockdown has got us all guessing When will it end? Is the weather a factor? Who’s staying home? Not the man in the tractor, Whose day hasn’t changed, he’s still ploughing the fields, Planting the seeds, praying it yields. Another fine crop to feed the nation, He’s in his tractor in isolation; An unsung hero, his world hasn’t stopped, Because the virus has made us all shop In bulk, in silence, we’re 2 metres apart, We need to take our farmers to heart And thank the Lord our tables aren’t empty; Apart from toilets rolls, those shelves have plenty. And when Covid has gone and we’re looking for reasons, The man in the tractor is looking to seasons For when to sow and when to reap This unsung hero in our hearts we must keep.
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 The Willow Project
Emily Brailsford As many of you know I am the chaplain to young farmers in Derbyshire but I have also started work on a new project called ‘The Willow Project’. This is a new project within Rural Action Derbyshire and commissioned by Derbyshire’s Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, to help raise awareness around rural domestic abuse.
In 2019 the National Rural Crime Network published a report called ‘Captive and Controlled’ which looked into the different issues affecting rural domestic abuse. No matter how much we try to pretend it doesn’t happen, it’s a sad fact that domestic abuse does happen and it’s often occurring much closer than you think. One in four women and one in eight men have been a victim of domestic abuse at some point in their life. The Willow Project aims to raise awareness around the fact that domestic abuse can happen to anyone, anywhere. It isn’t just single parents in the inner city who are victims, but it could be your friend or neighbour. Training will be available towards the end of the year which will help give people the tools to spot signs of potential abuse and the confidence to report it if necessary. It will also empower people to challenge different attitudes towards domestic abuse.
If you would like to register your interest in training or require any further information, please do not hesitate to call me on 07594 088 858 or email [email protected] and check our webpage: ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk/the-willow-project for updates.
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 Derbyshire TB Update by Andrew Critchlow Many of you will have been disappointed the Government chose to block the issuing of a licence to control the number of badgers in the west of Derbyshire last September. The cull company and the NFU mounted a judicial review (JR) of the decision. It must be remembered a JR looks at the process of how a government or local authority has taken a decision and a judge decides if that was lawful. A JR does not look at whether the substance of the decision was correct, in this case if a cull was the correct way of controlling TB in cattle. However, in handing down her judgement, Mrs Justice Andrews stated: “If the only considerations relevant to this decision had been scientific, the claimants would have had a very strong case. There was the clearest possible disease control justification for permitting culling in the whole of the Lunar area, and the company had satisfied NE that they met the criteria in the guidance.” But she went on to say, “However compelling the case for permitting the licence to be issued might appear, there were countervailing political considerations……...”
T & G Stone Ltd, who represent the landowners affected by this decision said today that they were deeply disappointed with the judgement, but would emphasise that the court’s decision does not prevent the company from obtaining a licence to cull badgers for this forthcoming September. However, it is nonetheless an important judgment - not just for other companies seeking a licence, but for farmers more generally. What is at stake in this case is whether the government has an obligation to comply with its own published policies. The company and the NFU are concerned that the court’s approach in this case gives government the green light to act as it pleases, without having an obligation to do what it always said it would.
As a result, the NFU are considering an application to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal this judgment, in conjunction with their legal advisors, whilst the Derbyshire cull company, T & G Stone will continue to work with Natural England, as they have been doing throughout to secure their licence for this year.
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 Livestock and Walkers Colin Taberner, a farmer in So uth Derbyshire talks about his experiences of walkers being attacked by cattle and suggests a possible solution.
It’s helpful to be aware of the possible dangers when walking through a field of cattle, especially with a dog. I recently had a conversation with another farmer whose cattle had attacked a walker and their dog who was on a lead. Sadly, the walker was killed; the dog survived. Not long ago, a woman and her dog were attacked by cattle; the dog was killed and the woman was critically injured. On my own land, a walker with a dog on a short lead was attacked by cattle and there are many other examples where this has been the case within 50 miles of my farm. All of these tragic circumstances cause much pain for the victims, their families and the farmers.
People want to walk and enjoy our beautiful countryside which is to be encouraged. But I do feel that some of our footpaths could be in the wrong place; many of them have been in existence for hundreds of years when farms, their fields and number of cattle were much smaller. It’s not uncommon nowadays to have 50 – 100 cattle in a large field with a footpath right through the middle. In my opinion, for the safety of walkers and in consultation with all those concerned, it would be very welcomed if grants were available to help to relocate certain footpaths to allow walkers to enjoy our countryside safely.
The NFU and the Ramblers Association provide the following guidelines:
When out walking in the countryside it is important to remember that it is a working environment where animals graze. So walkers should be mindful of their surroundings to fully enjoy the experience. Be vigilant, especially on entering a field or where you cannot see the whole field, and try to stay away from animals and to be aware of their movements. In the spring it’s especially important to be sympathetic to farm animals rearing their young and give them space.
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 Do Try to avoid getting between cows and their calves. Be prepared for cattle to react to your presence, especially if you have a dog with you. Move quickly and quietly, and if possible walk around the herd. Keep your dog close and under effective control on a lead around cows and sheep
Don’t Don’t hang onto your dog. If you are threatened by cattle - let it go as to allow the dog to run to safety. Don’t put yourself at risk. Find another way round the cattle and rejoin the footpath as soon as possible. Don’t panic or run. Most cattle will stop before they reach you. If they follow just walk on quietly. Source:https://www.nfuonline.com/cross-sector/rural-affairs/access/access-news/livestock-and-rights-of-way-reducing-the-risk/
Coronavirus: Guidance on Public Rights of Way
Following extensive NFU lobbying, Defra has issued new guidance on public rights of way.
The NFU had raised concerns about the amount of people taking to the countryside amid the coronavirus outbreak. Some of the issues raised included an increased use of footpaths that run through, or close to, farmyards and gardens which could put people who live and work in rural areas at risk, as well as an increased risk to livestock and newborn lambs due to more people walking dogs in the countryside.
Defra has provided the option for farmers to offer alternative routes and has issued notices and signs for farmers to put up to alert the public to the guidance so that everyone can remain safe. These notices and signs can either be downloaded and printed off or ordered directly from the NFU website: nfuonline.com
Contact DRC on 07710 088972
If you're concerned about visitors close to your house or farm and would like a copy of this sign created by the Peak Park please get in touch on 07593380311 or email: [email protected]
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 Heating Oil – the Highs and Lows If you are connected to farming in Derbyshire, there is a good chance you will be using heating oil to heat your home.
Rural Action Derbyshire has been running the Community Oil Buying Scheme since November 2011, using the power of bulk buying to negotiate the best possible price; especially beneficial for those on a low income. The price of oil can vary considerably depending on a number of factors. At the time of writing, the global impact of Covid-19 has led to a dramatic drop in demand for oil. Our lowest ever price of 17 pence per litre was in April. We benchmark our prices against local and online suppliers and we always achieve a very competitive price, 99% of the time we are the cheapest and sometimes by a considerable margin. Other times maybe not so much, but our price is ALWAYS a good price. Another advantage of the scheme is that you pay the same price per litre whether you order 500 litres or 2000 litres. This is an obvious benefit for cash flow.
Membership is free, you simply register online at rad.myolive.co.uk and place orders and make payments through this website. We order oil every 2 weeks, except in the summer when it is only once a month. If you don’t have access to the internet you can join by calling me, Emma Simpson on 07540 736118 or 01629 592970 (once lockdown is over and I am back in the office) and I will set up an account on your behalf. Then, whenever you want to order oil you just give me a ring. It really is that simple. The more members we have and the more oil we order, the stronger our negotiating position to achieve the best prices possible. You can order Red Diesel through us too. So what’s stopping you?
Email: [email protected] Call/Text: 07540 736118 | www.ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk/oil
Contact DRC on 07710 088972 Wit h thanks to The Prince’s Countryside Fund RURAL HARDSHIP SUPPORT FUND Rural Action Derbyshire has launched a Rural Hardship Support Fund to help people in rural areas of Derbyshire suffering extreme hardship as a result of Covid-19.
We want to make sure people don't go hungry and can cover essential household bills as a result of Covid-19.
Criteria for Support - Individuals need to show they are: In severe financial hardship (unable to pay for basic necessities such as food, household bills, rent etc) and Unable to access other support such as government schemes or are waiting for payment from such schemes OR In severe emotional distress or poor mental health, anxious, lonely, depressed and with no current treatment plan or referral to mental health services
In all cases, individuals must be living or working in a rural area of Derbyshire.
We are particularly targeting people associated with the farming industry including farmers and workers in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and countryside services and people living in isolated rural areas who have been adversely affected by Covid-19.
The fund can provide regular food parcels and assistance with some critical household expenses. People will also be able to access information on other support available to them relative to their specific needs.
Application is by referral from any of the following: Derbyshire Rural Chaplaincy team Farming Community Network (FCN) Farming Life Centre (FLC) Feeding Derbyshire Food Banks or Community Café Citizen’s Advice
Rural Action Derbyshire is a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England Company No: 3320404 | Charity No: 1061531 | VAT No: 253 691 980 Town Hall, Bank Road, Matlock, DE4 3NN | Tel: 01629 592970 | [email protected]