. . . R A B I newsWINTER 2017 THE MAGAZINE OF THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION Supporting farming families www.rabi.org.uk

Cover photo: Twinkle, twinkle, little stars! Helping Phyllis stay close to her family Page 4 From the chairman I make no apology for taking up much of this column with Froman appeal for help.the R.A.B.I, chairman as a charity, wants to identify and assist more potential beneficiaries. In 2017, up to November 10, we have paid out around £1.5 million to some 1,200 families and individuals. We have also assisted, advised and signposted a further 330+ families, while our welfare staff have helped The life of people in financial need secure £294k in state benefits and allowances. This is money people were entitled to, but might not otherwise have got without our a former intervention. We all know there are other families and individuals land girl out there who could benefit from the assistance of R.A.B.I, but the age-old question is how do we reach Page 8 such individuals and persuade them to contact us? It’s often not as easy as you think. Whenever we receive a request or referral for help we handle the information discreetly. It’s important that the entire process of asking for help is confidential and this is a central feature of all the work that R.A.B.I undertakes. Don’t If you think that you – or another individual / family – could benefit from our assistance, please call our look Freephone Helpline number 0808 281 9490. You’ll be put through to a member of our welfare team who will help, assess and assist. You won’t be put through down to a call centre, you’ll speak to a member of a small, select and knowledgeable team who will assess your Page 13 situation and arrange for one of our welfare officers to visit in person as necessary. Often, we receive calls from concerned neighbours or friends who are Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution worried about someone close to them, but wish to remain anonymous. In these circumstances we’ll write We are a welfare charity that helps farming people in financial to the individual concerned and again invite them to difficulty. In 2016 we gave out grants of £2.1 million to 1,357 call us personally. If we don’t receive a response, we’ll individuals / families. We also offer practical help and always usually follow up the letter with a telephone call some work in confidence, with compassion and discretion. two or three weeks later. Registered office: Shaw House, 27 West Way, Oxford OX2 0QH Despite our efforts we are still not reaching everyone Registered charity number: 208858 in hardship so if you have any bright or innovative ideas about how we can spread our messages and Helpline: 0808 281 9490 raise more awareness about R.A.B.I and the work that General enquiries: 01865 724931 we do, please let me know. Website: www.rabi.org.uk In closing, I wish each and every one of you a very Fax: 01865 202025 Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous Email: [email protected] (general queries) 2018. The time and effort that so many of you put into [email protected] (welfare enquiries) Patron: Her Majesty The Queen supporting R.A.B.I and the myriad of events that take President: His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester place is very much appreciated and never taken for granted. At the end of the day our county committees and R.A.B.I News is published quarterly by R.A.B.I and edited by Rob supporters are what make R.A.B.I the all-inclusive Harris. Telephone 01865 811600 or email [email protected] charity that it is today.

COVER IMAGE Sisters Imogen and Alicia, winners of the ‘Guess My Name’ competition at Countryside Live. The winning name was Twinkle. Malcolm Thomas MBE, R.A.B.I Facebook: www.facebook.com/ chairman rabicharity1

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ rabicharity

2 Moved beyond Lasting recognition words, a letter to the Billing family of thanks from a farmer’s wife “At a point in our lives where we felt hopeless and alone, we have been so overwhelmed with gratitude for the amazing support that we have received from the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and cannot thank your organisation enough for your wonderful assistance. R.A.B.I’s regional welfare officer was a true gentleman and demonstrated a real understanding of our situation, showing an uncommon level of respect at a time when we felt most vulnerable. We were moved beyond words when we received the oil delivery MANSON CEREMONY: R.A.B.I representatives unless stated, back, left to right, and were able to get hot water Kris Band (operations manager), Jim Beechey (rep Jonathan Billing Charitable from our taps for the first time since Trust), Stephen Miles (trustee and chairman of the Manson House committee), moving here. Paul Burrows (CEO). Front, Lorna Pounder (rep Jonathan Billing Charitable The knowledge that we are now Trust) and Pat Stanley (former trustee and ex-member of Manson House able to heat our little home is committee). simply wonderful. Your kindness in also sending us a cheque is hugely A wing at Manson House has been Jonathan’s death contributed appreciated and will provide a renamed in memory of former towards the refurbishment of Manson great deal of peace of mind to us in Warwickshire farmer Jonathan Billing, House, the charity’s residential care the coming months, enabling us to who left a significant legacy to R.A.B.I home in Bury St Edmunds. pay our domestic bills and bridge after his death. R.A.B.I CEO Paul Burrows said: “We’re the shortfall in rental payments that The Billing family has supported R.A.B.I extremely grateful to the Billing family we were experiencing. We cannot for many generations and Jonathan for the support they have given thank you enough for the positive was a renowned stock judge, also R.A.B.I over many years. difference that your benevolent taking part in many Young Farmers “It is only right and fitting that a actions have made to our lives. Club activities as a leader. Jonathan wing of Manson House, which was I am very pleased to report that kept Longhorn cattle, Shorthorns and developed in part using funds from my husband is gradually improving South Devons, moving between dairy the legacy, should be named after and will hopefully come home and beef production. He showed Jonathan.” from the crisis house in a couple of poultry, waterfowl and cavies too A commemorative board, explaining weeks, when we are assured that – the latter being a great personal more about the life of Jonathan he will continue to receive ongoing interest from an early age. Through his Billing and his role in the development support for his mental health. Some extensive farming interests, he made of Manson House, was put up in occupational therapy is also being friendships that lasted a lifetime. the newly-named wing at a recent organised for him at a local farm, The funds left to R.A.B.I following ceremony. which he is looking forward to immensely. He is hoping to assist some youth projects by passing on some of his farming knowledge and Meeting with HRH The Prince of Wales support to others. Having now been made aware North West regional manager of the numerous ways in which Georgina Lamb met HRH The Prince you are able to help people, I of Wales at the Westmorland County am now going to do all that I can Show, near Kendal. to encourage local farming folk Georgina said: “It was amazing to be to get in touch with you if they personally introduced to His Royal are struggling. The local farming Highness. I told him we spent more community is a proud one but I am than £110,000 in Cumbria last year hoping to be able to reassure them, and he asked about current hardship first hand, of the way in which you levels. We discussed how pride can work and that they will be treated often get in the way of people asking with respect and dignity. Thank you for help, but I assured him that we and God Bless you all, you have remain visible and keep telling people restored our faith in mankind and the message that we are here to help given us reason to lift our heads and work alongside other farming and hearts again. charities to ensure needs are met.” ”

For enquiries about welfare call the Freephone Helpline: 0808 281 9490 3 ‘Our message is simple: We’re here for the long haul’ R.A.B.I has given out more than £1.1 farmworkers and dependants. Once Paul said: “Most of us will need to rely million to the retired, sick and disabled a farmer, always a farmer, that’s our on care at some point in our lives, this year*. motto, and I urge people who don’t if not for ourselves, then for loved CEO Paul Burrows says the charity is know where to turn for support, to get ones. Demands on the care sector committed to looking after farming in touch with us.” are already great, but things are only people throughout their lives, not just This year, R.A.B.I has paid out more likely to get worse with a rapidly rising when they are working. than £214k towards home help costs older population. We understand the “In today’s world there are so many and close to £100k on disability aids, anxieties many older people face challenges people must face in later equipment and adaptations*. and we are committed to offering life and health issues can be draining, The charity has also given out more long-term support to families in both physically and mentally,” said than £92k towards care home financial hardship from the farming Paul. top-up fees – the difference between sector. It’s simple; we’re here for the “But help might just be a phone call how much a council is willing to pay long haul.” away. We support farming people a care home and the actual fees * Figures quoted cover the period January 1 to of all ages, including retired farmers, charged. September 19, 2017 (unaudited) Top-up fees make huge difference

LEFT: Phyllis Elwood. ABOVE: Phyllis as a young land girl, in centre. most of his life, died 18 years Due to the fact that the preferred care ago. Phyllis met him after home was more costly than the one becoming a land girl at 17. the council was offering, the family She said: “I loved everything was told they would have to meet a Phyllis Elwood was devastated when about being a land girl, it top-up fee shortfall of £157 per week the Surrey care home she’d lived in was one of the happiest times of my to secure a place. This put the move for two years closed indefinitely for life. I loved the work: tractor driving, in serious jeopardy. ‘refurbishment’. hedging, ditching and field work. I It was Christine’s sister-in-law who Her daughter Christine said: “Mum look at ditches now and we wouldn’t suggested contacting charities who loved it there, it was small, homely have half the flooding if they’d been offered financial help to former land and a bit old-fashioned. She didn’t done by land girls.” girls. want to leave. Most of the residents Needing to find a new care home After speaking to several actually left quite quickly to go to a for Phyllis at short notice, Christine organisations, without much luck, the sister home in Haywards Heath but and her family identified one in East family was put in touch with R.A.B.I they wouldn’t take mum because Grinstead as the best possible option. and welfare officer Pat Dobson visited of her physical needs. It was like a However, the local council wanted Phyllis for the first time in the spring of sinking ship. In the end there was only to move her to an alternative home 2016. mum and one other lady left there much further away. By the May of that year, Phyllis had with no proper night staff. Mum cried Christine, who visits her mum most moved into the family’s first choice and cried.” days, said: “It became a battle home, with R.A.B.I agreeing to meet Though unable to walk unaided, because we wanted mum to stay in the costs of the top-up fee shortfall. Phyllis, 92, is mentally alert and loves this area, which is her home, near her Christine said: “Paying for residential having her family – including Christine family. Where the council wanted her care has taken much of mum’s and her two brothers – close by. to go, she would have been more savings and pension. She’s always lived in and around the isolated and we wouldn’t have been “The family also contributes to her Dormsland area of Surrey, slap bang able to visit so often. We looked and care costs, but what R.A.B.I does on the borders of Kent and West and looked at various options and this one makes all the difference. East Sussex. was the best, but we couldn’t afford “We don’t know what we would do Her husband Dennis, a farmworker it.” without you.” 4 The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution

Age? It’s a number, not a barrier ‘Once a farmer, always a farmer’, that’s our motto. In today’s world there are so many challenges facing you in your ‘golden years’ and health issues can be draining, both physically and financially. But help might just be a phone call away. R.A.B.I supports farming people of all ages, including retired farmers, farmworkers and dependants. So if you’ve worked in the agricultural industry in the past but need help now, give us a call. You might be surprised what we can do for you. What we’ve paid out in 2017 so far

£1,258,837 £86,331 £131,711 The total amount given to the Towards home Spent on disability aids, retired, sick and disabled help costs equipment & adaptations

£20,014 For funeral £197,423 expenses Towards care home top-up fees

£158,803 £2,014 £77,697 Grants for heating & winter Providing transport for On telephone line rental fees fuel allowances hospital appointments Call our Freephone Helpline 0808 281 9490 The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, Shaw House, 27 West Way, Oxford OX2 0QH Reg. charity number 208858 Website www.rabi.org.uk General enquiries 01865 724931 Email [email protected] Figures quoted (unaudited) cover the period January 1 to November 16, 2017. The figures shown above are included in the overall total paid to the retired, sick & disabled Corporate news: Lion is pride of Crymych

Fresh opportunities Kiwikit duo take on the at Agribusiness • The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) invited Cardiff Half Marathon R.A.B.I to attend Agribusiness Wales and British & Irish were also entertained by is no stranger to a rugby 2018 at the East of England Lions rugby player Ken the Crymych Rugby Club field himself, having won Showground in November. Suzy Owens is used to a Choir. The raffle raised 34 caps for Wales in the Deeley, corporate development scrum, but he doesn’t £189. 1990s. manager, said: “It was a great often get to pack down Kiwikit has supported Combined proceeds opportunity for us to raise with more than 150 R.A.B.I by selling wrist from the raffle, wristband awareness of our work to key people! That was the bands on their stands sales and the Cardiff figures within the industry.” scene at the opening of throughout the show Half Marathon totalled a new store in Crymych, season and employee £650.97. R.A.B.I chairman • In recent years, Barclays has Pembrokeshire by John Davies and director Malcolm Thomas MBE given R.A.B.I many thousands Ludlow-based firm Kiwikit Rob Massey also ran the attended the store of pounds in match funding, Limited. Cardiff Half Marathon to opening to personally supporting numerous events Ken, who has made 50 raise further funds. John thank Kiwikit’s directors throughout England and Wales. appearances for and staff for “Thank you for this brilliant Wales at hooker, choosing R.A.B.I and ongoing support from the officially opened as their charity Barclays agriculture team,” said the store and of the year. Suzy Deeley. donated a Pictured are “We’re looking forward to signed rugby representatives working with you in 2018.” ball to the from Kiwikit evening’s raffle with Ken • Frank Smith & Co Solicitors to raise funds for Owens (second invited R.A.B.I to their launch R.A.B.I. Guests from right) event at Cheltenham Town enjoyed a and Malcolm Hall in September. A fantastic complimentary Thomas evening, supported by Frank’s hog roast and (centre). clients and friends, helped R.A.B.I raise £165. Entries sought for Ceva’s Feast for a king There were antiques • Regional manager Lucy galore on show at a Bellefontaine (below left), was animal health awards viewing / supper evening presented with a cheque for Nominations are invited Graham Duncanson, hosted by Wright Marshall £1,173 by Jo Woods of Sentry, for the Ceva Animal both well respected at the Beeston Auction who organise a regular Welfare Awards 2018, retired veterinary Mart in Cheshire. The bi-annual clay shoot on R.A.B.I’s which celebrate the surgeons who have supper was arguably the behalf. achievements of dedicated their careers highlight of the evening remarkable people from to improving the welfare with Margaret Lawson, the farming, veterinary conditions of livestock. Miranda Shufflebotham and charity sectors. The The 2018 winners will be and Katy Noden pulling Farm Animal Welfare honoured at a glittering out all the stops to lay Award, which is run ceremony taking place on a feast fit for a king. in association with on the eve of BSAVA The evening raised £500. R.A.B.I and NADIS, is (British Small Animal Pictured is auctioneer now in its fourth year. Veterinary Association) Peter Ashburner. It is a hotly contested Congress on April 4, category, attracting 2018. Entries must be many entries from in by Friday January across the industry. Last 26, 2018. For more year’s joint winners were information go to www. Katrine Bazeley from cevawelfareawards. Dorset and Norfolk man com

Breakfast, the most important meal of the day

The annual Farmhouse Breakfast campaign promotes breakfast as the most important meal of the day. Holding a breakfast event in R.A.B.I’s name is an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful ingredients and British produce that go into providing that all-important first meal of the day.

For more information go to www.rabi.org.uk, Twitter.com/rabicharity or Facebook.com/rabi charity1

6 The great welly giveaway LEFT: Staff at R.A.B.I’s Oxford office. BELOW LEFT: Mitchells Chartered Accountants in Taunton. BELOW RIGHT: Ellacotts in Kettering.

Welly Week ran offered a selection spare. These were from October 28 to of top quality provided by FUW November 5 and boots on five of the Wales. The people behind R.A.B.I This is Nessie and other days. The Davies Grub’s Boots kindly The aim of Welly family in donated their Week is to raise Montgomeryshire wares as prizes awareness of put on a Welly for the online R.A.B.I’s work Week coffee competition. To and plenty of morning which enter, people businesses got brought in £650. were asked to involved by Amongst the retweet a ‘Welly encouraging guests was Ms Week giveaway ‘welly to work’ Young European post’ on Twitter or days. Staff at LG International comment on a Seeds held a Welly finalist Beverley Facebook post. Week walk, while Roberts. The competition Heidi Williams, More than 1,000 attracted hundreds Anglesey FUW’s people entered of entries each county executive the competitions, day, a significant officer, arranged but only six could increase on last something similar be winners. year. at lunchtime The lucky few This is Nessie in Holyhead were: Janice offered a Breakwater Goldsworthy; personalised Country Park – Paige Dalby; Mark chopping board even handing out Lawrence; Alana as a prize on the packed lunches Walker; Claudia Sunday, while for people with Wren and Colin Grub’s Boots little time to Crawford. Order your calendar for 2018 R.A.B.I’s Farming in Focus calendar for 2018 is available in two versions, wall (£7.50) and desktop (£4.50). To order call the card and calendar hotline 01268 888217. Postage and packing is £3.95 per order. For more details go to rabi.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/rabicharity 7 Looking after the land girls: Audrey’s story

By her own admission, Audrey TB. The illnesses could be scary but so making sausages. With nursing in Bellamy-Moore has always tried to were some of the treatments, such as those days you had to do the hours stand on her own two feet. the ‘iron lung’, which Audrey says was they gave you and if you couldn’t do Now 90 and living in sheltered housing like putting people ‘into coffins with night duty they didn’t want you.” in Rutland, the former land girl sought their heads sticking out’. Audrey met her second husband to R.A.B.I’s help last year when she was In 1950, Audrey married the boy who be, Eric, at the funeral of one of her unable to pay the costs of her son’s had lived next door, whilst growing up Land Army pals. Eric was a statistician funeral. R.A.B.I contributed more at her uncle’s house. for a bank and worked in the City. than £1,600 and welfare officers She said: “I made up my mind that I She moved herself and her children also negotiated an interest free was going to marry Kenny when I was to Bromley to be nearer to Eric and arrangement on a credit card Audrey seven. We used to play together and got a job as matron of a Surrey home had used to pay some of the other got on well. Kenny joined the Royal after ‘bluffing her way through the funeral expenses. Signals and was stationed in Malaysia interview’. When she was just three, Audrey’s but I bumped into him after he’d She married Eric in 1964 and became mother took her own life and her been demobbed and was driving matron of a larger home with 99 father, a seaman, put her into taxis in Grimsby. I residents. A an orphanage. Her uncle, on her thought it was meant three bed flat mother’s side, took her out of the to be.” We picked fruit for came with orphanage when she was five and The couple’s first Harrods and the royal the job, large gave her a home but tragedy struck child, Christine, was “ family. I enjoyed the work enough for when the barrage balloon skipper born in 1951 and and found it relatively her children. was killed during the Second World Audrey was seven- A move into War, whilst escorting trawlers to the and-a-half months easy, there were 12 of us a smaller Humber. pregnant with son in the head gardener’s apartment At 16, and needing a roof over her Graham when fate house and we used to go in Broadstairs head, Audrey decided to join the dealt her another dances together. followed, Land Army and settled in quickly to cruel blow. Kenny’s however, life as a fruit picker on the Lady Beryl death in 1954 in a ” when Eric Groves Estate in Revesby, Lincolnshire. road traffic accident, suffered a She said: “We picked fruit for Harrods whilst working as a lorry driver, put heart attack and the bank ‘didn’t and the royal family. I enjoyed the Audrey ‘back to square one’ and in a want him back’. He died on his 50th work and found it relatively easy, deep depression. birthday in 1977. there were 12 of us in the head “I wouldn’t believe he had died,” she Alone again, and still only 48, Audrey gardener’s house and we used to go explained. picked herself up once more to to dances together.” “Because of my depression they kept forge another new start for herself. After the war, Audrey set her sights me in hospital with my baby for four She travelled the world looking after on becoming a nurse and spent five months. A cousin looked after my the children of the rich and famous years qualifying. She subsequently daughter and when I left the hospital – initially working for a millionaire in found work in a sanatorium in I went and stayed with them too. London who gradually introduced her Grimsby, looking after people “Financially, things were a struggle to many of his friends. She said: “Ted suffering from such things as polio and and I worked in a butcher’s shop Heath would often come to the house in Hyde Park and Mick Jagger too. I worked in Israel for their Chancellor of the Exchequer and for King Fahd’s grandson in Saudi Arabia.” Audrey kept working until she was 75, but heart problems forced her to return to England. Her daughter now lives in Grantham and Audrey would like to move closer to her and the grandchildren. The death of son Graham in 2016 was a major shock. He had joined the army at 16 but later worked in IT. She said: “R.A.B.I has been good to me and I’m very grateful. I’ve always worked to get myself going, but sometimes it’s been hard. It can be embarrassing asking for things, but getting help with the funeral was a big relief.” LEFT: Audrey Bellamy-Moore. INSET: At her wedding to Eric in 1964. 8 Beaufort’s new Head of Home Hand-knitted poppies TOP PHOTO: Residents at House Special Fund. Manson House produced Pictured are members some wonderful hand- of Norman’s family with knitted poppies for Manson House Head Remembrance. Pictured of Home Carole Smith are members of the (centre). ‘poppy team’, left to right, Pauline Barnett, Bev Rollings (staff), Anne Roberts, Pat Rae and Ruth Sparke (sitting). BELOW: Following a funeral service collection, the family of the late Karolina Bialecka-Sokol has that, she was responsible for Norman been appointed Head of an 80-bed home in Bristol. Waspe Home at Beaufort House, Beaufort House has been donated a one of two residential care rated ‘outstanding’ by the cheque for homes owned and run by Care Quality Commission £1,589 to R.A.B.I. (CQC), the independent the Manson “The home is outstanding, regulator of health and so it’s a big responsibility,” social care in England. said Karolina (pictured), Karolina added: “I have the who replaces Susan Dean at help of a fantastic team The trick is a lot of treats the Burnham-on-Sea home. and the wider support of the Sue was part of the team at charity and I feel privileged Beaufort for 20 years. to work with people who are Karolina has extensive so dedicated. experience in managing “It’s every care home care homes. Before joining manager’s dream.” R.A.B.I, she worked as the registered manager of a Want to find out more about large care home in Taunton, vacancies at Beaufort which supported people House? with a range of needs Call 01278 786320 or email Ghosts and ghouls came out to play at Beaufort including dementia. Prior to [email protected] House as staff and residents got into the ‘spirit’ of Halloween (pictured). Regional Welfare Officers Find out what we can do for you today. Call us on 0808 281 490

TOM ARMSTRONG LINDSEY CHURCHILL ELONWY WILLIAMS NORTH SOUTH CENTRAL SOUTH WEST WALES Northumberland, Durham, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Somerset Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Scotland (north), Gloucestershire Pembrokeshire (south)

JOHN BASNETT CLAIRE CRICHARD NORTH EAST CATHY DENSLOW SOUTH EAST WALES & BORDERS Yorkshire, Derbyshire SOUTH Brecon & Radnor, Glamorgan, Somerset (south), Dorset, Monmouthshire, Worcestershire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight Gloucestershire (north), LOUISE WILKINSON Herefordshire LINCOLNSHIRE Lincolnshire, East Yorkshire SALLY HUBBARD CHLOE RIGLER EAST SOUTH WEST Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk Cornwall, Devon

JACKIE CLEGG NORTH WEST PAT DOBSON Cheshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, SOUTH EAST Staffordshire, Merseyside Berkshire, Surrey, Sussex, Kent, All enquiries to our welfare department will be Middlesex, Essex, London dealt with in the strictest confidence

SARA GARNER MIDLANDS MEL JONES Warwickshire, Northants, NORTH WALES & SHROPSHIRE Nottinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Anglesey, Conwy, Caernarfon, Leicestershire, Hertfordshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham Buckinghamshire, West Midlands Merionethshire, Shropshire, Montgomeryshire

Find us on Facebook.com/rabicharity1 9 Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee brought farmers together In 2001, Foot and Mouth caused a crisis in British agriculture which completely transformed R.A.B.I as a charity. The following year, Her Majesty The Queen celebrated her Golden Jubilee. Rob Harris looks back at a significant time in history for both R.A.B.I and the farming industry.

FAR LEFT: R.A.B.I’s 2002 Golden Jubilee card. TOP: Her Majesty with R.A.B.I representatives at the 2004 Royal Welsh Show. LEFT: The lighting of the beacon on the Duke of Westminster’s estate near Lancaster in 2002.

The sights and smells of burning pyres encourage farmers to light beacons female pensioner from a selected will live long in the memory. on their land. It was a request not list of candidates would be placed The Foot and Mouth epidemic of 2001 without controversy. Many people, at Her Majesty’s ‘disposal’ to receive resulted in more than 2,000 cases of understandably, were against the the subscription. From that time on, the disease being found on farms idea of filling the countryside’s skylines the ‘royal’ prefix was added to the across the UK and some 10 million with burning beacons, just months charity’s name. cows and sheep were culled in order after those same horizons had been Succeeding monarchs maintained to control the disease’s spread. By the scarred by Foot and Mouth’s pyres. their royal links with R.A.B.I and time the crisis had been halted, the However, R.A.B.I saw the Golden George V (HM The Queen’s estimated cost to the UK economy Jubilee as a way for the farming grandfather) granted R.A.B.I a Royal was £8 billion. community to put behind the traumas Charter in 1935 to mark the charity’s Every department within R.A.B.I’s of 2001 and light a symbol of hope for 75th anniversary. small office at Shaw House found the future. The charity also wanted to In 2002, Her Majesty announced that its workload multiplied beyond all recognise the reign of Her Majesty in five charities should benefit from recognition and working practices a meaningful way. She had, after all, her Golden Jubilee celebrations: had to be refined and developed to served as R.A.B.I’s patron since her R.A.B.I; The Soldiers, Sailors & meet the overwhelming demands of Coronation in 1953. Airforce Families Association; CRUSE an industry in turmoil. During the crisis, R.A.B.I’s royal connections run deep. Bereavement Care; Barnardos and R.A.B.I’s fledgling emergency helpline The charity was founded in 1860 and I CAN. The beacons initiative was handled close to 26,000 calls and the just three years later received Queen to be coordinated by R.A.B.I and charity paid out more than £9 million Victoria’s official nod of approval. every event registered by the charity to over 8,000 farming families. She became the charity’s first patron was included in the Golden Jubilee In 2002, R.A.B.I was challenged and made an annual subscription of Summer Party souvenir magazine. by the organisers of Her Majesty’s £25 per year. R.A.B.I’s council passed Golden Jubilee Summer Party to a resolution that one duly qualified CONTINUED OPPOSITE 10

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More than 600 beacons – almost one Long road to recovery third of the national total – were lit as a result of R.A.B.I’s involvement. Owain Roberts, from North Wales, sought help In Kendal, Cumbria, a beacon was lit by the same lady, and on the same site, as after badly hurting a leg in a roof fall. Owain for the Coronation. spoke about his accident to Rob Harris. From the most northerly part of England – Berwick on Tweed – to the most easterly part of Norfolk– Great Yarmouth – farmers saw the jubilee celebrations as a way of looking forward to a brighter future. R.A.B.I also had the notable achievement of registering a beacon in New Zealand. This beacon, lit on a beach at Richmond, Nelson, was the result of a visit by New Zealanders to Richmond, Yorkshire, an area hit hard by Foot and Mouth in 2001. Following the phenomenal success of the celebrations, Lord Plumb, then R.A.B.I president, said: “At a time when those who are striving to make a living from the land continue to face enormous difficulties, the Golden Jubilee beacon initiative provided a welcome opportunity for farmers to join the rest of the nation in celebrating a historic event.” In 2002, R.A.B.I gave £1.6 million to INJURED: Owain Roberts, left, with R.A.B.I welfare officer Mel Jones. 980 working farming families. Two years earlier, prior to Foot and Mouth, In some ways, Owain Roberts was and sheep) stayed safe. R.A.B.I had paid just £0.2 million to lucky. Home to Owain and his family is a 247 working families. Being one of Her Attempting to repair a barn roof 40-acre council farm in Llantrisant. Majesty’s Golden Jubilee charities that had been damaged in a The 47-year-old said: “I’ve been raised R.A.B.I’s profile significantly and storm, his ladder gave way right up and down ladders thousands offered a platform for greater fundraising under him and he slid – rather of times and didn’t consider what opportunities. than fell – to the floor from around I was doing to be particularly HRH The Princess Royal was a speaker 15 feet. That was where his luck dangerous. I’m not scared of at the charity’s AGM and R.A.B.I ran out though, as his foot went heights and I’d waited for the also received £100k from a series of through the ladder’s rungs, storm to pass so things were calm. Buckingham Palace concerts. Special twisting him as he came to ground “But I would do things differently receptions at the Royal Welsh and abruptly. next time. I wouldn’t try and do Royal Smithfield Shows put R.A.B.I centre Instantly, he knew his injuries it all on my own, I’d want a mate stage and the Royal Cornwall Show – were serious, but he still managed there. The ladder slipped away who named R.A.B.I as its charity of the to raise the alarm by phoning like it was on ice.” year – organised a reception in the his wife on his mobile while The morning after his accident, presence of HRH The Prince of Wales. attempting to use a broom as a Owain was in the hospital theatre The Mendlesham Chair, specially made makeshift crutch. Initially, when undergoing an operation. The for Her Majesty for the Golden Jubilee he told her he had fallen off his main five-hour operation came by Albert Lain, was presented to R.A.B.I ladder, his wife thought he was the following Thursday. The road to and auctioned off as the star prize at ‘joking around’. recovery stretching ahead of him the Manson House Christmas draw. A Owain, from Holyhead in North remains long and being unable signed copy of a painting ‘The Garden Wales, broke his ankle and lower to work for many months has at Highgrove’ was also donated by HRH left leg in more than 10 places. resulted in thousands of pounds of The Prince of Wales and sold at auction Surgeons feared the leg might lost income. at the Royal College of Art in London. A have to be amputated, before “Friends and family, including the star-studded evening raised more than eventually managing to save it. children, have been brilliant but £17k. However, it will take at least a it’s not easy,” said Owain. Elevating R.A.B.I’s profile had benefits year for it to mend fully, possibly The father-of-two contacted outside of royal circles too. Trustee longer. R.A.B.I for assistance after reading Rosemary Nash was invited to Brussels Owain may never recover full an article in R.A.B.I News (while at to accept a donation of 25,000 Euros mobility and is likely to walk with a the Royal Welsh Show), about a from EU agricultural commissioner Franz limp in future. He has had various farmer in his local area who had Fischler, while R.A.B.I and Childline were metal pins, plates and screws received financial support. chosen to benefit from a Cow Parade inserted into the leg and some will R.A.B.I welfare officer Mel Jones, event in London. R.A.B.I’s share of the stay there for life. who covers North Wales, visited proceeds was £30k. The accident happened on Owain at his home and quickly John Wallis, charity chairman in 2002, February 24 of this year, a Friday arranged for the charity to send wrote: “R.A.B.I is almost unrecognisable night, with the light fading fast. The him a cheque for £3,000 towards from the organisation it was when I joined gable end of the barn roof had domestic expenses. In 1995. This reorganisation was being set been damaged by high winds just “Getting R.A.B.I’s help was a big up when the Foot and Mouth epidemic the previous day and Owain was thing,” said Owain. came upon us and gave a good base to keen to fix it quickly in order to “But I’m extremely grateful to the cope with problems 24 hours a day.” ensure his animals (mostly cattle charity.” Visit the website: www.rabi.org.uk 11 Regional News

R.A.B.I has county committees across England and Wales, who work at a local level to raise awareness of the charity as well as funds. Committees are the lifeblood of R.A.B.I and we very much value the time and effort that people put into supporting us. For they’re all jolly good Fallows! Whiston Village alone. George Hall in Staffordshire Fallows also was filled with more donated £900 – than 150 people money raised to for the annual celebrate a special pea and pie birthday. George supper arranged generously asked by committee for donations to members George R.A.B.I in lieu of and Elsie Fallows. gifts. The night Fellow Fallow family generated more members hosted a than £5,387 with an charity auction as additional £2,000 well as the popular from Barclays Bank, ‘naff raff’ and as part of their bottle raffle. match-funding Over 130 lots scheme. were auctioned Pictured left to in around 90 right are: Kate minutes by Mark Jones (R.A.B.I Simcock and items regional manager), ranged from log Mike Shelley cabin stays and (Staffordshire meal vouchers county chairman) to bags of dog and Richard food. Incredibly, Thomas (Barclays). the auction made Inset: George and almost £3,000 Elsie Fallows. Duo cycle 270-miles in just two days Great Cornish test Chris Davies (left) and Richard Cheney (right) completed a 270-mile cycle ride from Fishguard in West Wales to Smithfield Market in London. Chris and close friend Richard came up with the idea of cycling from Fishguard to Smithfield Market along a route roughly based on the old Drovers road from Wales to London, which was an important part of the local agricultural heritage. At the Great Cornish Quiz (organised The pair completed their by the Cornwall committee), John journey in two days. They Pomeroy of the Wadebridge Rotary stopped near R.A.B.I’s office in Club presented R.A.B.I with a cheque for Oxford and met with Stephen £1,200. Pictured accepting the donation Noble, head of fundraising and is county chairman Nick Michell, right. development (centre). To date, Left of picture is former R.A.B.I chairman Chris and Richard have raised Chris Riddle. The money was raised at the more than £1,800. Wheels Classic vehicle event staged at the Royal Cornwall Events Centre in July. 12 The rise and fall of the Larpool viaduct crew Top wildlife artist donates original work Collection at Renowned wildlife artist all over the world and he is His work features in many Terry Lambert donated best known for his paintings collections, including those the vineyards artwork which sold for £950 of birds. He started out held by the McCartneys at a charity lunch auction three decades ago as an and the Astor family. • A service of at the Maesmawr Hotel illustrator for Collins bird As well as giving a talk thanksgiving was in Caersws. The event books but has subsequently about his career, Terry held at Biddenden brought in over £2,000. undertaken many high also unveiled his first ever Vineyards in Ashford, Terry’s work is highly sought profile commissions. sculpture collection, Kent. Organised by the depicting owls, pheasants Diocese of Canterbury’s and herons. Communities and The collection was recently Partnerships Framework, launched at an exhibition the service was attended in London and will reside by R.A.B.I trustee James permanently at Bettws Hall Orme and many Kent in Newtown. committee members. Pictured left to right R.A.B.I received the are: Jonathan Evans retiring collection of (auctioneer), Gwyn £440.75. Morris and Linda Davies (Montgomeryshire • A donation of £500 committee members), was received from Malcolm Thomas (R.A.B.I Tavistock Young Farmers. chairman), Becky Davies POOCH (Plymouth (R.A.B.I regional manager) Oncology Outpatients and Terry Lambert. and Chemotherapy) also received £2,000 from the club. The money was Quiz with fizz raised via a dung sale in March. The Suffolk committee hosted a quiz evening for around 80 people, which brought • Eyes were firmly down in over £1,500. Quizzers with dabbers at the ready received a ploughman’s for the bingo night at platter and chocolates, with Hilderstone Village Hall wooden spoons presented in September. More than to the ‘least successful’ 60 people enjoyed the team (pictured). The winners night with plenty of cash celebrated with a bottle of prizes up for grabs. The Adnams Fizz. event made £868 thanks to the support of the Staffordshire committee and bingo caller Philip First-timers hit new heights Fitzpatrick. • Some 33 tractors rolled through Carmarthenshire’s rural roads to Llanfynydd to show their support for R.A.B.I. The Pumsaint tractor run, organised by Ray Nicholls with the help of Rhiannon Mercer and Elfyn Williams, raised £540.

• Racers jumped into their karts to speed around the tracks at Whilton Mill, raising £1,300 in the process. Eighteen plucky Yorkshire committee, was “Most of our group were supporters gathered at the driving force behind first-timers and very • Fourteen teams took the Larpool Viaduct in the September fundraiser. frightened to start with. part in a quiz night at the Whitby, North Yorkshire She said: “I wanted to do “However, I think a few Black Mountain Lodge to abseil 40m down something different. I’ve will give abseiling another in Glasbury which raised one of the viaduct’s 13 done abseiling before go in the future.” £627. Steve Meredith was archways. and this seemed like Between them, the team quizmaster and beef rolls Mary Smith, vice a good way of raising (pictured) raised more were provided by Select chairman of the West money. than £1,000. Nutrition.

Find us on Facebook.com/rabicharity1 13 Paige and Sam let their jive do the talking

Little brown jug Our thoughts are with you Loss of true stalwart in Monmouthshire • Gwen Charles, a member of the Monmouthshire committee, sadly passed away in November. “Her passion and enthusiasm for R.A.B.I was immense,” said regional manager for Wales Linda Jones. Veronica Sutton, Leicestershire “She was a genuine volunteer committee chairman, opened who did not seek the limelight, up her home to sixty people didn’t want any recognition and for the annual chairman’s simply wanted to help those less lunch, which raised £1,784. John Meakin (right) and daughter Emily (left) fortunate. Veronica (left) and family presented Staffordshire chairman Mike Shelley “Gwen took charge and and committee members with £1,615 at the English Winter Fair. Sadly, organised the afternoon tea this served up a roast beef dinner John’s wife Gail died on October 29, aged just year and the Beetle Drive last and homemade puddings. 57. The funeral was held at St Michael and All year. She was a stalwart of the Someone accidentally put Angels Church with donations collected for Monmouthshire committee and gravy in the sticky toffee R.A.B.I. The thoughts of all at the charity go out will be hugely missed because sauce jug but no one noticed! to the Meakin family. her contribution was great.”

• Supporters in Warwickshire Bucks team effort donned their dancing shoes Once again, the Bucks for an evening of musical committee joined forces with entertainment provided by Vale Training and FCN at the Jim Ross and talented covers annual Bucks County show in band ‘Rustic Roots’. The night Weedon. There was plenty going raised £480. Twenty-five people on at the stand with displays also joined the Warwickshire of flowers, games and face committee for a drive around painting. The sum of £510.18 was Kingston Farm (part of the raised. old Thwaites estate), which generated £500.

• Representatives from the Gloucestershire committee were It’s strictly a night for guests on the NFU stand at the Moreton Show and £356 was raised. movers and shakers • Rural Action Derbyshire held of the Katrina Hughes a harvest festival in the cattle School of Performing ring at Bakewell Market. Alan Arts. The panel of four Griggs organised the festival and judges included R.A.B.I led the service. Produce was corporate development donated to a local foodbank manager Suzy Deeley and a collection for R.A.B.I and the overall winners totalled more than £100. were Paige Dalby from Farmers & Mercantile Afternoon tea with music and Sam Ullyott (Frank • from the Reston Concert Band Curtis Ltd), who had resulted in £480 being made in never met each other Alnwick, Northumberland. until their first dance lesson. The other dancing PARTY TIME: ‘Strictly’ dancers Olivia Kirkwood, Paige couples were: Fiona • Organisers of the Shopping Dalby, Fiona McDonald, Georgina Saxon and Sophie McDonald & Richard Extravaganza at the Ramside Pearcy. Heaton (Askham Bryan Hotel in County Durham donated College); Sophie Pearcy £2,500 and card sales brought in The ‘Strictly’ Dinner They then entertained & Will Johnson (Minford a further £350. The Extravaganza and Dance at the the dinner audience Accountants); Olivia supported four charities. Old Swan Hotel in of 175 with some Kirkwood and Tom Rial Harrogate was a great wonderful performances. (Newcastle Uni Agrics); • The biannual book fair at success, generating The evening was Georgina Saxon and Bedale in North Yorkshire raised more than £3,500. Six compered by BBC James Sherwood (Selby more than £1,200. A similar couples, who had Radio Humberside YFC) and last minute amount was generated at the never danced before, presenter Phil White stand-ins, committee Women’s Rural Conference in received dancing lessons and the finale was member Derrick Slater Harrogate, thanks to match thanks to sponsorship. provided by members and partner Helen. 14 St Columb YFC hit the £3k mark

Warwickshire work Raffle inLechlade Donald’s flower demo Adrian Thompson is pictured below Donald Morgan • Kenilworth & District Agricultural accepting his raffle prize from Jenni demonstrated Society held their annual Green, regional manager, at the his considerable prize-giving dinner at Fairford, floral skills to help Warwickshire Golf & Country Club. Faring- raise £637.46 at a Regional manager Becky Davies don, fundraiser at Canolfan spoke about R.A.B.I’s work in Filkins and Pennal, Machynlleth. Warwickshire and was presented Burford Guests enjoyed with a cheque for £1,100. Ploughing cheese and wine before and during Champi- the demonstration, at the event • R.A.B.I had a stand at the British onships & organised by the Merionethshire Ploughing Championships, held at County committee. Bishop’s Lydeard near Taunton. Show, More than 260 top ploughmen held at By royal appointment and women competed over two Lechlade. days in October and R.A.B.I raised The day £425. raised £325.31. • Members of the South Yorkshire committee met with local mayor Roger Hinchcliff at the Penistone Going back to Roots Show. The mayor stopped by Leicestershire’s outdoor harvest their stand for a chat, along with festival was held at Roots Farm, show president Jeff Peers. R.A.B.I Barkby, by kind permission of the was honoured to be chosen as Mount family. Somerset committee chairman Robert one of this year’s show charities, Reverend Peter Hooper gave the Mann met the Countess of Wessex alongside the Yorkshire Air service and a collection totalled more at the Agrifest Show at West Point, Ambulance. than £150. Exeter. Delightful Derby dialect Dung sales pay off nicely • The Derbyshire committee put on an event at Meynell Langley Hall, courtesy of Godfrey Meynell. The show garden was open and Guillermo Vigo performed on guitar. Derbyshire dialect poet Philip Holland also recited some of his brilliant work at the event which raised £530.

• The Hull Corn & Feed Trade Association dinner was a wonderful evening with 350+ guests. R.A.B.I received £2,300, including £300 donated back from the raffle.

• More than 140 ploughman’s lunches were served at the Petworth ploughing match in September to raise £805. The match was held at Douglas Lake Farm, by The fundraising efforts of St Columb Young Farmers Club paid off when kind permission of the Gadd family. the group was able to present a cheque for £3,000 to R.A.B.I regional manager Pam Wills. The club held a number of fundraising activities including dung sales, raffles and a duck race. • A competition based around how much milk a single cow produced in 305 days generated £343 at the Welsh Dairy Welsh beef on the Ceredigion menu Show. Members of the Carmarthenshire committee were on hand to provide The Ceredigion refreshments to all who called at the R.A.B.I committee raised £1,700 stand, including Lesley Griffiths AM, cabinet at their annual Welsh secretary for energy, planning and rural beef dinner. Guest affairs. speaker on the night was Aled Jones, assistant chief executive of the • The Bedfordshire committee hosted a Royal Welsh Agricultural successful quiz evening at The Millennium Society. Aled is pictured, Barn, with the kind permission of FB Parrish second from left, with and Son. Staff from Kramp ran the bar wife Lisa (left), Frances and organised the goodie bags and raffle Jones (Ceredigion prizes. The evening raised £1,090 and chair) and Euros Davies Barclays also agreed to match funding. (Ceredigion vice-chair). For enquiries about welfare call the Freephone Helpline: 0808 281 9490 15 Annual run in memory of Thomas Pegg

Ludlow YFC held Watson-Jones, David a quiz night at Watson-Jones and No lost cause for champs the village hall at Laura Edwards. Half Hayton’s Bent and of the proceeds went the hall was full with to R.A.B.I. Members 17 teams. of the club later Ludlow YFC president presented regional Rachael Marsh manager Kate Jones prepared the with a cheque for questions and the £832 (above), with winning team was funds also generated ‘The Lost Cause’ by carol singing in comprising Rob 2016 and a castle Whiteman, Rose clean-up. Cost of carrots rocket to a new high Falling into autumn A sell-out pub quiz for quiz hosted by Paul Martin Rogers paid Eighty-five ladies enjoyed a Prosecco- more than 70 people Dela Ross and the a whopping £36 filled ‘Fall into Autumn’ event at Headlam was held at the sight of everyone for a carrot cake Hall in Durham on September 29. There Golcar Lily pub near doing ‘YMCA’ was baked that day were guest speakers from the Cocktail Huddersfield. something to behold. by quizmaster Pickers Club, Chocolate Boutique Yarm, The quiz raised more Thanks to the staff extraordinaire ‘Dela’. Weardale Cheese and Forever Fit than £450. at the Golcar Lily The Westwood Coaching, with a chance to buy their There’s always a bit for another mouth- Massive came out on various wares at the end of the evening. of impromptu singing watering pie and pea top after a nail-biting The night raised more than £1,500. and dancing at any supper. finale. Thanks to Darlington NFU for their support. Tractors roll again

R.A.B.I received £932 from the annual Staffordshire tractor run in memory of Thomas Pegg. The event once again started from the Adventure Farm in Tatenhill and those taking part had the option of two alternative routes, planned by organiser Caroline Pegg. A raffle and auction also took place at The Bell Inn, Anslow. The wheels of fortune Main stream event nets over £2k A bike raffle was Countryside Live, raising Organising a duck launched at the more than £2,000 in race as a fundraiser Great Yorkshire Show total. The bike was proved a ‘quacking’ and concluded at won by Mr Richard idea for the Ceredigion Goodchild committee – it brought from Saltburn, in £2,091! Regional North Yorkshire. manager for Wales, Richard is Linda Jones, said: “I’d pictured right, like to thank Charlene receiving Aitkin from Barclays his prize Bank for providing from David match funding and Anderson, her Barclays Bank chairman colleague Rhian Jones of the North for attending the duck Yorkshire race.” committee, The winning duck was who organised purchased by Myfanwy the raffle. Bryce.

16 Dealership celebrates 70th anniversary Target smashed by Oundle sure-shots Sonya’s on the run An annual clay shoot with Robin Hood organised by Oundle YFC • Sonya Bryson of FarmWeb took brought in on the Nottingham Robin Hood £1,469. The marathon to raise £1,276. young farmers This was Sonya’s first marathon, are pictured which she completed with a presenting friend. a cheque to R.A.B.I regional • Hampshire chairman John manager Mary Korbey collected a cheque for Martin. £900 from the Bisterne Young Farmers Club. The club raised the money at their summer steam Saluting the cyclists at Ferrari’s rally. • A collection at the Usk Show brought in £421.79. Show organisers also shared money from dog show entry fees and raffles between R.A.B.I and Monmouthshire Young Carers. Usk Show chair Gerry Hawkins presented Monmouthshire chair Gwilym Richards with a cheque for £500.

• A race night at the Dorset Showground attracted 120 guests Ferrari’s in Longridge Malcolm Thomas. West Coast Classic bike and generated more than £2,600. was the venue for a The lunch raised £500, ride. Sunday lunch fundraiser while Roger Dugdale Pictured left to right A harvest service and supper in organised by the also handed over a are Roger Dugdale, • Cardinham, Cornwall brought in Lancashire committee. cheque for £2,336.25. Lancashire supporters £355.77. Around 80 guests This money was raised David and Sue tucked into a by a team of cyclists Graveston, Malcolm three-course meal from Clitheroe-based Thomas and Lancashire • The Exe Valley YFCs presented and guest speaker Dugdale Nutrition, who committee chairman a cheque for £1,300 to South West was R.A.B.I chairman took part in the 78-mile Brian Taylor. regional manager Pam Wills. Family-run firm is part of community The Gwili Jones Lampeter and in Carmarthenshire on the day boosted Gwili Jones, added: tractor dealership Ceredigion, also on Sunday funds further, with “We are pleased held a special raised an impressive September 24 with a commemorative so many people celebration to mark £5,250 for R.A.B.I; the 149 tractors taking model tractor, kindly came to our the firm’s 70th year in combined proceeds part. Guests enjoyed donated by Huw celebration. The business. of a tractor run, a hog roast after Jones, selling for £420 farming community The family-run auction and raffle the run and were in the auction. Other has supported us dealership, with plus other donations. also entertained auction lots included throughout the years branches in Peniel, The tractor run was by Côr Tonic. The a Mercedes-AMG and we wanted to Carmarthenshire, held at Hafod, Peniel raffle and auction Formula 1 jacket, a give something back toy ride-on tractor to them. We’re very with trailer, and a proud to have raised G&T experience day. a significant sum of R.A.B.I chairman money for R.A.B.I.” Malcolm Thomas Pictured left right are: MBE attended Malcolm Thomas, the tractor run to Frances Jones personally thank (Ceredigion chair) Gwili Jones directors Nigel and Sian Davies and staff for choosing from Gwili Tractors to support R.A.B.I and Noel and at their milestone Maifis Morgan (joint celebration. Carmarthenshire Sian Davies, from chairs).

Visit the website: www.rabi.org.uk 17 Three triathlons in 2017 for Somerset man

Match funding boosts supper total to £6k Sampling time Hobbs Parker hosted a harvest supper for around 150 guests at in the brewery Ashford Market in Kent. A team • A tour of Langton of caterers from Stockpot laid on Brewery in Thorpe Langton a superb beef meal with all the was organised by trimmings and Peter Kingswell, Leicestershire committee Hobbs Parker auctioneer, oversaw member Harry Baines the auction of 20 lots. This was and the evening was followed by a raffle, with a huge supported by HSBC. There array of prizes. Thanks to all were plenty of samples on involved in organising a wonderful offer, along with a buffet night and Barclays for match and a raffle. The sum of funding. The event generated £375 was raised. more than £6k for R.A.B.I. Pictured are members of the organising • Trustee John Hoskin team. was presented with a cheque for £2,327 by the Marshwood Vale YFC Training gets rid of Ironman’s toughest test at their harvest supper. everyday stresses Rhodri Pritchard, miles of cycling and Regional manager Pam a sales rep for a marathon – over the Wills also attended a agricultural suppliers hilly, and gruelling, midweek club meeting to Wynnstay, tackled the terrain of South Wales. give a talk. Ironman Challenge in He said: “R.A.B.I does Tenby in September. some great work • More than £700 was The event consisted of within the agricultural raised at a harvest supper a 2.4 mile swim in the community, assisting at the Green Man in Bristol Channel, 112 families in dire need.” Ringmer, East Sussex. Sixty guests gathered at the pub for a roast dinner and ‘mega puds’.

Night racing • Regional manager Jenni Green supported the Thrings Solicitors in restaurant autumn seminar, receiving £65 towards R.A.B.I’s work.

• Organisers of the Arddangosfa Bryn y Maen exhibition donated £200, During 2017, Nick Bragg has raised at a rural craft completed three triathlons for show. R.A.B.I to bring in more than £1,600. At the beginning of the year, Nick (pictured) started • The Petersfield YFC training for his first challenge. He group for 10-14-year-olds said: “I don’t do a lot outside donated £91.20 to South of farming so I wanted to do East regional manager something different and found The Silks restaurant at Chepstow Racecourse Sally Field at their AGM. I really enjoyed running and was filled to the brim for a race night supporting The group raised the training. It was a relief from R.A.B.I and the Brecon Mountain Rescue team. money carol singing last everyday stresses.” The night, organised by Gwent YFC, raised Christmas. In May, Nick entered his first £2,617.32 in total. Barclays employee Alyson triathlon in Taunton. Four months Mayo helped arrange match funding so R.A.B.I • Brockton and District and a lot of extra training later, he will receive £1,908.66. The young farmers chose Gun Club, near Much completed events in Midsomer to raise money for the Brecon Mountain Rescue Wenlock in Shropshire, Norton and Portland. team in memory of James Corfield, who sadly donated £503.20 following With wife Claire, Nick runs died earlier this year. Gwent YFC organiser Sally a charity shoot. Frogmary Green Farm in Richardson said: “We are extremely pleased Somerset, which the couple that the evening was such a success and we’re • Doctor Dewi Evans bought in 1990. As well as farming grateful to everyone who supported us.” was guest speaker at the mixed arable and poultry, they annual harvest supper at also put on cookery classes. the Carmarthen Livestock This isn’t the first time Nick has 50th year of discussions Centre, which generated raised funds for R.A.B.I – for the The Lothersdale Discussion Group, based in £1,217.50. past three years, he has hosted Skipton, presented a cheque for £300 to regional Dr Evans personally a beef dinner at his farm in aid of manager Georgina Lamb. The money was donated £250. Great British Beef Week. raised at their 50th anniversary dinner. 18 Bonfire bash goes off with a bang

Young farmers in Wedmore give £500 Shrewsbury bucket collection at an audience with Adam Henson A bucket collection at the Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury following ‘An Audience with Adam Henson’ raised £173.12 plus three Euros! Pictured left to right are: Andy Clough, Laura Dickinson, Adam Henson, Ben Dixon and regional manager Kate Jones.

The Wedmore Young Farmers Club donated £500 to regional manager Pam Wills (pictured accepting cheque, centre). Singing for life at Samlesbury Hall

Noteworthy from paper factory

The Samlesbury Memorial Hall The money will be split between in Lancashire was the venue R.A.B.I and a cancer research for the Sing for Life concert, charity. organised by Alison Gerrard. More than 200 people packed The Iggesund paper factory in Workington raised The evening raised £3,222 and into the hall to see 12 fantastic £207.39 at the Cockermouth Show. Pictured left Judith Wilkinson of Barclays performances, from choirs to to right are: Georgina Lamb (R.A.B.I regional kindly arranged match funding soloists, trumpets to accordions. manager), Nicki Quayle (vice chair of R.A.B.I’s of £1,000 to bolster the final Pictured is the BAE Systems Cumbria committee) and Iggesund employees total to £4,222. Choir. Courtney Birkett, Gail Cook and Neil Watkins. Black-tie ball with extra fireworks Black ties, flames, Carlisle – and “The night was a pumpkins and the bidding sell-out. It makes fireworks were the for this highly all the hard work order of the night personal lot worthwhile.” at R.A.B.I’s Bonfire rose to £1,200. Fireworks, sponsored Ball at the Heather Pat recently by the Lloyd Group, lit Glen Country House won the up the night sky and in Ainstable on Lifetime a three-course meal November 3. Achievement was served to diners More than 130 guests award at the when they came in packed into the 28th Cumbrian from the cold. beautifully decorated Women of the The successful venue to raise £9,570. Year awards. auction of promises An auction brought in She has raised was hosted by The more than £5,500 and thousands COUNTRY HOUSE DINERS: Bonfire Ball guests Chris Farmer Network MD there were some of pounds Holmes, Neil Wainwright and Thomas Fisher. Adam Day, who later top-notch prizes. for various put on his ‘musical Staunch supporter charities over Georgina Lamb, success of this event hat’ to pack the Pat Turnbull offered the years, including R.A.B.I regional and the support dance-floor and to cook lunch for 10 R.A.B.I, and was manager for the shown by both the groove the night people at her home formerly chair of the North West, said: “I’m farming community away with his popular in Southwaite near Cumbria committee. delighted with the and local businesses. ‘Soul Survivors’ band.

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/rabicharity 19 Regional Managers Diary Dates NORTH EAST – SALLY CONNER December 3 FHB, Hellingly, East Sussex North Yorkshire, County Durham, 11 Carol concert, Cockermouth Auction Mart 3 Burns night, Stannington, Northumberland Northumberland, East Yorkshire 13 Carol concert, Gisburn Auction Mart 4 Plough Sunday service, Cheshire Mobile: 07818 093506 13 Beaufort House coffee morning 6 FHB, Kirdford, West Sussex Tel: 01964 541400 14 Pembrokeshire bingo, Haverfordwest CC 7 FHB, Dirty Habit, Maidstone, Kent Email: [email protected] 14 Winter drinks, Lamport Hall, Northants 7 York Agricultural Machinery Show Twitter.com/rabinortheast 15 Carol evening, Petworth, West Sussex 8 FHB, Elham Vineyard, Kent 16 Carols with FCN, Sedgemoor Market 9 Pig racing, Dolgellau NORTH WEST – GEORGINA LAMB 18 Devon FCN carol service, Exeter Market 12 FHB, Kendal Cumbria, Lancashire, South 14 FHB, Stockpot, Ashford Market, Kent & West Yorkshire, Merseyside, January 2018 15 FHB, Dog & Duck, Canterbury, Kent Cheshire 10 Montgomeryshire whist drive 21 FHB, Warwickshire Mobile: 07917 114250 10-11 Ripon Farm Services open days, Harrogate 22 Devon Spring Ball, Dawlish Warren Email: [email protected] 14 Plough Sunday service, Ripon Cathedral 22 FHB, Winkworth Farm, Wiltshire Twitter.com/rabinorthwest 18 FHB, Poacher & Partridge, Tudeley, Kent 26 Plumpton race day, East Sussex 18 FHB, Griggs Store, St Austell, Cornwall 18 Quiz night, Raglan, Monmouthshire March EAST MIDLANDS – MARY MARTIN 19 Houghton Weavers concert, Rainford 2 FHB, Thirsk Mart, North Yorkshire Lincolnshire, Rutland, 23 FHB, Hutton Cranswick, East Yorks 2 Brecon & Radnor St David’s Day event Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, 24 FHB, Medway Yacht Club, Kent 4 Plough Sunday, Chichester Cathedral Derbyshire, Northamptonshire 25 FHB, Westlands Farm Shop, Southampton 7 Rural Stakeholders breakfast, Glos Mobile: 07525 323450 26 Warwickshire Farmers Ball 8 Oxfordshire Ball, Christ Church College Email: [email protected] Twitter.com/rabieastmids February 2 Winter Warmer, Meifod RFC * FHB indicates Farmhouse Breakfast event WEST MIDLANDS – KATE JONES Staffordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire Joules in the Northants crown Mobile: 07876 492839 Email: [email protected] The Joules seconds sale in Twitter.com/rabiwestmids Gainsborough, Lincolnshire brought in £430 with many NORTH WALES & WARWICKSHIRE people leaving with bargains – BECKY DAVIES galore. A Joules sale at Old Anglesey, Caernarfon, Conwy, Northamptonians Rugby Club Clwyd, Montgomeryshire, did even better, generating Warwickshire Mobile: 07730 765377 £600. Email: [email protected] Pictured are helpers at the Twitter.com/RABINWalesWarks Northampton event. WALES – LINDA JONES Brecon & Radnor, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Bowling them over in Worcester Pembrokeshire, Glamorgan, Merionethshire, Monmouthshire Worcestershire’s county £1,390 and the raffle Mobile: 07557 363016 dinner was held at the brought in £949. Tel: 01559 364850 Email: [email protected] county cricket ground Roland Strawn of Twitter.com/rabicymru_wales in the Graeme Hick Halesowen and Hagley Pavilion. Clive Davies Farmers Club (pictured) SOUTH CENTRAL – JENNI GREEN was MC and NFU Cymru presented regional Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire, president Stephen manager Kate Jones Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire James was guest with a cheque for £200 Mobile: 07919 478518 speaker, addressing the from a recent harvest Tel: 01935 826726 180-strong audience. supper event. Roland Email: [email protected] The night raised more was also involved in the Twitter.com/JenniRABI than £5,100. Auctioneer ‘Big Breakfast’ event Clive Roads helped the that raised £440 for EAST – LUCY BELLEFONTAINE Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, aution of promises top R.A.B.I this year. Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire Mobile: 07739 297374 Tel: 01728 602888 Email: lucy.bellefontaine@rabi. org.uk Defra minister’s meeting with Santa Twitter.com/rabieast Members of Pictured is Defra SOUTH EAST – SALLY FIELD the Cornwall minister George Hampshire, IOW, Berkshire, Surrey, committee were Eustice, right, Sussex, Kent out in force at the who is also MP for Mobile: 07799 798441 Cornish Winter Fair Camborne and Tel: 01903 882741 in November. Redruth, with Nick Email: [email protected] Twitter.com/RABISouthEast The fair is held Michell, chairman within the exhibition of the Cornwall SOUTH WEST – PAM WILLS halls at the committee, left, and Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset Royal Cornwall Father Christmas. Mobile: 07825 336224 Events Centre in They are pictured in Tel: 01398 361819 Email: [email protected] Wadebridge. R.A.B.I’s grotto. Twitter.com/PamRABI

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