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. R A B I newsAUTUMN 2016 THE MAGAZINE OF THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION Supporting farming families www.rabi.org.uk Clarabelle heading to Hampton Court Page 7 Help at hand for mental health issues Page 11 From the chairman What a turbulent time we’ve seen since I last wrote in this column. We have had a vote to leave the European Union, a change of Prime Minister andFrom all sorts of leadership the challengeschairman across many of the other political parties. I can scarcely remember such a period of political uncertainty and that uncertainty looks set to continue for many months, if not years to come. Policy-makers representing our industry are facing a difficult time too as they strive to ensure that agriculture continues to receive appropriate support into the future. Many other sectors, such as health and education, will similarly be pitching their cases for available funding. I only hope that as decisions on future funding and support are taken due recognition is given to the absolutely Recognition crucial role that the farming industry plays, not only in keeping us all fed and watered but also in maintaining the wonderful countryside that we all take for granted. Our countryside doesn’t for Manson just happen. It is the result of hard work and commitment by many generations of farmers over hundreds of years. Page 12 During my first few months as chairman I have had the opportunity to attend a number of shows and other events across Scottish charity joins forces the country and I’d like to say thank you to everyone for the RSABI from Scotland has RSABI is a Scottish charity The Addington Fund Discretionary Fund,” added warm welcomes that I have been afforded. I have to pay tribute joined forces with the three providing confidential provides homes to rent Ian Bell, Addington Fund to all the committee members, volunteers and supporters for the main farming charities in financial assistance and through its Strategic CEO. outstanding jobs that you all do, not only in fundraising but also England and Wales under support to people who Rural Housing Scheme. It FCN is a Christian charity spreading the message about R.A.B.I far and wide. I am also the ‘Farming Help’ banner. work in or have worked in supports farming families with more than 400 hugely impressed by how much fun everyone seems to have at all RSABI will now work more land-based employment who have to leave their volunteers, providing these events. Long may that continue! closely with R.A.B.I, the in Scotland, including farms – and homes – due to practical and pastoral At the end of August we had some excellent news concerning Man on a Addington Fund and agriculture, forestry, crofting circumstances beyond their support to people in the our retirement home, Manson House in Bury St Edmunds. The the Farming Community and rural estate work. control. In certain counties, farming community. FCN home has been recognised for the outstanding way that it cares Network (FCN). RSABI supports a significant Addington also has a small helps resolve issues relating mission for its residents. The report, which was prepared by the Care Each charity offers a diverse number of people in stock of affordable rural to both the farm household Quality Commission, rated the home as ‘good’ and the care it range of complementary hardship due to injury, illness housing specifically for and the farm business. Page 16 provides for residents, ‘outstanding’. support to people from the or misfortune. Nina Clancy, people in rural occupations Charles Smith, FCN CEO, As you may know, R.A.B.I has undertaken an extensive rebuilding agricultural world. Getting RSABI CEO, said: “We are who cannot afford to rent said: “Farming can be programme at Manson House over recent years and to achieve people to the right place is delighted to become on the open market. a volatile business with these ratings against a background of constant redevelopment is not always easy, but now part of the Farming Help “In times of emergency, many factors linked to absolutely outstanding. Carole Smith, our head of home, and her those seeking help can group. Being part of and where there is profitability beyond the team deserve every plaudit for their hard work and commitment call a single telephone Farming Help will make it evidence of hardship, direct control of the farmer. to ensuring that every single resident receives top quality care number, 03000 111 999 easier for people to access Addington may also be “Our volunteers walk with and attention at all times. Manson House and our other home, Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and be quickly referred to assistance from RSABI, able to support a farm clients for as long as it Beaufort House in Burnham-on-Sea, are hugely important as part the organisation that best which is very important to business with a one-off takes to resolve their issues, of R.A.B.I’s overall package of support and assistance. We are a welfare charity that helps farming serves their needs. us.” grant through its Trustees’ whatever they may be.” people in financial difficulty. In 2015 we gave out There can be no doubt that there continues to be a great deal of grants of £1.9 million to 1,341 individuals / families. hardship and suffering within our industry. The cases that appear before our grants committee are the clearest evidence that, We also offer practical help and always work in for all sorts of reasons, people can find themselves in extremely confidence, with compassion and discretion. difficult and harrowing circumstances. I often wonder what many 100th birthday for Beaufort resident Registered office: Shaw House, 27 West Way, Oxford of these people would do without the support that R.A.B.I is able OX2 0QH to provide. If you know someone who may be in need of help, Beaufort House family also put on At Manson House, Registered charity number: 208858 advice or support from R.A.B.I then please encourage them to resident Naomi another party in the Beatrice Warren contact us on our Freephone Helpline number 0808 281 9490. Vowles celebrated sun lounge, where celebrated her 99th Helpline: 0808 281 9490 I fully appreciate that there are many reasons why people may her 100th birthday the champagne birthday with a party General enquiries: 01865 724931 be reluctant to call us, but R.A.B.I is here and ready to try and with a party where continued to flow. for family and friends. Fax: 01865 202025 help in any way that we can. Irrespective of the outcome, a she was joined Email: [email protected] (general queries) by family, friends [email protected] (welfare enquiries) problem shared is very much a problem halved. I was recently and fellow Patron: Her Majesty The Queen humbled to meet a former beneficiary who told me that were President: His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester it not for the help he received from R.A.B.I some 10 years ago Beaufort residents he would probably have lost his farming business. He said that and staff. Naomi the initial call to R.A.B.I was the most difficult but also the most received her R.A.B.I News is published quarterly by R.A.B.I and edited important call that he has ever made. card from HM The by Rob Harris. Telephone 01865 811600 or email Queen as well as [email protected] Wise words indeed! a cake, flowers, chocolates and Cover image: York-based artist Lauren Terry with champagne. Clarabelle, R.A.B.I’s entry for Cow Parade Surrey Hills. Lifelong friend See page 7 Malcolm and fellow Beaufort House Thomas, resident Peggy FOLLOW US: R.A.B.I Frost will shortly Website: www.rabi.org.uk mark her 100th chairman Twitter: www.twitter.com/rabicharity birthday too. The pair have known Facebook: www.facebook.com/ each other rabicharity1 ABOVE: Naomi Vowles. RIGHT: Beatrice since they were Warren. nine. Naomi’s 2 For enquiries about welfare call the Helpline: 0808 281 9490 3 Cream tea campaign popular in summer David’s story: in his own words David Johnson, 56, from Norwich, has touching the trailer. In front of me was I started to believe that maybe worked in farming all of his life, mainly the endless nose-to-tail of commuters there was proper help available. Tea, scones and music in the as a farm contractor – apart from a rushing home. The worst case “A few weeks later I met up with a year on the Cambridge University scenario happened and the woman welfare officer and we discussed cricket ground staff where he got to behind me suddenly pulled out into the problems I was having and my face the West Indian fast bowler Andy oncoming traffic. situation – though I can now admit garden - what can beat it? Roberts in the nets! David sought “At such moments everything goes to not telling him of all my problems. The Buckinghamshire Table, is primarily members Janice Read R.A.B.I’s help after being diagnosed into slow motion. With my trailer “I now know this was a mistake and I committee laid on a a wedding venue and Jill Cochrane with Ankylosing Spondylitis, which behind me, with one wheel over the should have trusted him more. tremendous cream nowadays, but the (pictured) raising more has left him with nine vertebrae fused curb and heading for the River Ouse “My advice to anyone seeking help is tea event at Creslow Lears generously allow than £800 on the raffle together.