c/o Walford & North Shropshire College, Walford Campus, Baschurch, Shrewsbury, SY4 2HL Tel: 01939 262106 Mobile: 07967 438516 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] www.ruralhubswm.org.uk
Shropshire Fresh Start Academy
Open Evening 2011
Tuesday 27 th September 2011, 6.30 – 9pm at Greenhous Meadow Stadium Oteley Road, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ST
Shropshire Rural Hub is pleased to launch the 4 th year of its successful, free , Farm Business Management Training Programme for existing farmers, and new entrants to farming.
For further information and to book a place, please call: Victoria on 01939 262106 / 07967 438516 or email [email protected]
CTS ONLINE CLINICS
Shropshire Rural Hub in partnership with the NFU recently held a series of CTS Online Drop-in Clinics, by kind permission of the Livestock Markets around the County (Shrewsbury, Market Drayton, Ludlow, Bridgnorth and Oswestry). We spoke to a number of farmers at the Markets and actually registered some on and off movements at the Markets!
I asked for feedback on CTS generally and some of the issues that were raised included:
• The length of time it takes to advise movements by telephone • The fact that the phone service will only accept calls from numbers registered to the holding • The cursor doesn’t always flash in the ear tag box • When you receive your passports, the cover page looks like a passport
I will forward these issues on to the CTS and give you a response in the next newsletter!
However, I have to say, that for those already using CTS Online, the feedback was very positive; everyone commented on how simple it is to use.
We are available to assist with your CTS Online enquiries; if you’d like to see how it works, please call me and I’ll be happy to demonstrate the system to you, help you register etc.
Engaging with IT on the Farm
FARMPLAN COMPUTER SYSTEMS CATTLE MANAGER, SHEEP MANAGER AND FLOCK MANAGER
Thursday 6 th October 2011 Dorrington Village Hall, The Maitlands, Dorrington, Shrewsbury, SY5 7LD
Objective These workshops are for potential and existing users of Farmplan Cattle and Sheep and Flock Manager programs and are designed to enable you to use these programs to their full potential. Two workshops are scheduled (you are welcome to attend either or both):
Getting the Most From Your Farmplan Cattle Manager Program 10am - 1pm
• Program Overview and Latest Enhancements • Animal Records • WEB Services and Backing up Data • Reporting and Exporting Data • EID and Livestock Devices • Hints and Tips
Sheep Manager and Flock Manager 2pm - 4.30pm
• Overview of Flock Manager o Record Keeping and Reporting • Overview of Sheep Manager o Animal Records o Reporting and Exporting Data o Health Records o EID and Livestock Devices
LAPTOPS WILL BE PROVIDED.
Cost: £12.50 including lunch and refreshments through the day. Lunch will be served from 1-2pm.
Booking is essential. For further information and to reserve your place, please call: 01939 262106 or email [email protected]
This course/project is funded by LandSkills West Midlands, managed by Lantra on behalf of Advantage West Midlands, as part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). RDPE is funded by Defra and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
Shropshire Rural Business Advice Day
To be held on:
Thursday 27 th October 2011 12.00 noon – 8.00 pm at Greenhous Meadow Stadium Oteley Road, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ST
There will be stands representing many aspects of the rural business including:
Specialist Software for Rural Businesses Business Management & Planning Grants and Funding opportunities Training opportunities available in Shropshire Online Systems – VAT, SPS, CTS Stewardship Schemes Animal Health / Trading Standards / Environmental Health
Cross Compliance
NVZs, SPRs, Sheep EID, Cattle & Sheep Identification & Records
Drop-In Clinics throughout the day
Need help with completing your Soil Protection Review, NVZ records, Stewardship claims?
Bring your records along and a member of the Cross Compliance team, Environmental Agency and Natural England will be available to help you.
For further information and to book your place, contact us on:
01939 262106 or email [email protected]
Shropshire Rural Hub, in conjunction with Shropshire Council, will be running the above Rural Business Advice Day.
If you are a business and would like to take a stand, please contact Victoria for further details.
Call 01939 262106 or email [email protected].
Engaging with IT on the Farm
Maintaining and completing a financial recording system for the farm business
This 2 day practical course will enable participants to create, maintain and complete farm financial records as required by the accountant in order to produce the year end accounts.
Saturday 5th & Saturday 12th November 2011 9.30am – 4pm at The Youth Café, 139 High Street, Newport, TF10 7BH Course Content: • Create a cash accounting system to produce financial farm records within the farming business using an Excel spreadsheet programme. • Maintain a computerised cash accounting system suitable for a farming business to enable the completion of year end accounts. • Prepare information required for VAT reporting to HMRC. • Safe on-line communication between business and accountant.
Cost: £95 for the 2 days including refreshments, lunch, course material and a copy of the cash analysis programme that can be tailored to meet the needs of your own farm business.
If you have a laptop please bring it along to work on.
For further information and to book your place, please call: 01939 262106 or email [email protected]
This is a Shropshire & Staffordshire Rural Hub Event
This course/project is funded by LandSkills West Midlands, managed by Lantra on behalf of Advantage West Midlands, as part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). RDPE is funded by Defra and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
RDPE Programme
The responsibility for the management of the RDPE Programme has now transferred from Advantage West Midlands to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). New grants focusing on RDPE priorities of competitiveness, Rural Uplands, Rural Broadband, Tourism and skills will be publicised over the summer with 'Calls for Bids' launched in the autumn.
For all project enquiries Email: [email protected] RDPE Partnerships and Programme Team Leader
The contact details for the RDPE team are: DEFRA, Block A Spur 11, Government Buildings, Whittington Rd, Worcester WR5 2LQ Telephone: 01905 763355
Visit the hub website - www.ruralhubswm.org.uk - for details of frequently asked questions about the future of RDPE and how it will affect you.
Heartwoods - Ignite Improved Lamb Health & Selection
Management of Woodlands for Woodfuel Thursday 15 th September 2011, 4.30pm start Production at Frodesley Park Farm, Tuesday 13 th September 2011, 9am – 5pm Longnor, Shrewsbury Green Wood Centre, Station Road, SY5 7QH Coalbrookedale, TF8 7DR (Courtesy of John and Ed Higgins) This is a practical training course and handbook on the use of small woodlands for the production of As part of the Better Returns West Midlands woodfuel products. Programme, join ADAS and EBLEX, for this informative session on reducing in field lamb losses Please bring stout footwear and a water proof coat and improving lamb selection for slaughter. There with you as we will be spending time outdoors. will an update on flock performance to date by Ed and John Higgins. For more information on the course please contact: To register for your FREE place ring Melanie Smith on 01952 435860 or Emma Horn on07584 036622 or Email [email protected] email [email protected]
Ignite is a series of training courses on the production and supply of woodfuel. Ignite courses have been developed and are run by Rural Development Initiatives Ltd. Myriad Organics - Organic September
Myriad Organics will be holding a number of events during September to celebrate all things organic. Autumn Action 16 th September 2011, 10.30am – 1pm Friday 16 th September 2011, 10am-4pm In Store Taster Session at Offered by Higher Nature, we will have a range of Little Bolas, Telford, TF6 6PT tasty and organic health products and supplements (300 acre site adjacent to A442 between available for you to try and our expert from Higher Crudgington and Hodnet) Nature to give advice.
At a venue provided by Sydney Farms Ltd, 29 th September 2011 Shropshire’s leading machinery dealers will be In store “Organic Celebration” demonstrating large scale autumn cultivations in We will have lots of delicious things to taste and conjunction with Walford and North Shropshire samples of products to give away! We also have College, who will be running a 24 hour ploughing our organic trail for people to experience, along marathon (16 th /17 th September). with our prize draw for a chance to win several exciting prizes! Refreshments will be available. If you would like further information concerning For further information please contact: any of these events please Contact: Jon Parry on 01939 262162 / email Graham Lambert [email protected] Myriad Organics or Ludlow Bruce Udale on 07974 815233 / email Tel: 01584 872665 [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Dearnford Lake Event One Day Lameness and Hoof Trimming Course
Charity Car Boot and Collectors Fair Thursday 22 nd September 2011 at 10.00am – 6.00pm Dearnford Lake at Tilstock Road, Whitchurch Walford and North Shropshire College, SY13 3JQ Walford Campus, Baschurch, SY4 2HL
Sunday 18th September 2011 Walford and North Shropshire College is delivering a One Day Lameness and Hoof trimming Course. Supporting the Royal Agricultural Benevolent The course will be delivered by Jo Speed who is the Institution. lameness specialist at Dairy co. In 2008 Jo was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship to study lameness, Cash in your collectables - Spring clean your attics - and prior this had been a herd manager so Recycle unwanted items - Bargain Hunters dream. understands all the practical and financial difficulties that lameness can cause. The course will include: For further information about events at • Early Identification Dearnford Lake call: • Foot care strategy 01948 665914 or 07803 050397 • Mobility Scoring www.dearnford.com • Hoof Trimming Demonstration • Knife Sharpening • Open Forum.
The cost is £24.92 per person which includes How to Keep your Business Safe and refreshments and a light lunch. Places are limited Prosperous so bookings will be on a first come first served basis. Wednesday 21 st September 2011 11 To find out more information and to reserve A day of insights and best practice tips for small and your place, please contact: medium sized food and drink businesses, including: Sue Martyn on 01939 262114 or Email [email protected] • Understand the challenges of food safety in Closing date for bookings is 15/09/11 your production areas • Food labelling - how to keep on the right This course/project is funded by LandSkills West side of the law Midlands, managed by Lantra on behalf of • How to make sure your new products meet Advantage West Midlands, as part of the Rural consumer needs and expectations Development Programme for England (RDPE). • How to get your products noticed on shelf RDPE is funded by Defra and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development . Come along to hear experts from the internationally respected Campden BRI.
HEFF Members £125 + VAT/Non Members £195 + If you do register for/attend any of the events VAT (including light buffet lunch). featured in this newsletter, we would appreciate you mentioning that you heard about it from the Hub For more information and to book your place, Newsletter. please contact: Your comments or views about this newsletter are always welcome so please do contact us. Heidi Cartwright at HEFF on 01743 452818 Thank you Cattle Movement Service Course The Big Lottery Fund Village SOS Wednesday 28th September 2011 The Big Lottery Fund has launched a campaign to 5.30pm - 9.30pm help rejuvenate the UK’s rural communities, many at of which have been badly hit by the loss of local Aspire Centre, Burford,Tenbury Wells, amenities and the economic downturn. Village SOS Worcestershire, WR15 8HE Active and the Village SOS Competition have both launched. Walford and North Shropshire College is delivering an evening with the Cattle Movement Service. The Village SOS course will be delivered by representatives from the The aim of Village SOS is to raise awareness of the British Cattle Movement Service and will include the challenges and opportunities that people living in following: rural areas across the UK face. It aims to inspire • Online presentation on CTS Transformation people in rural villages across the UK to get • Questions and answers Forum involved and make a difference in their • Help with registration for CTS Online communities. At the heart of this is a focus upon • Practical session using the CTS system promoting social enterprise as an engine of rural development. The cost is £12.46 per person, which will include
light refreshments, and is aimed at people engaged In 2010, BIG awarded £2.5m to six villages who in the farming sector. have been filmed for a BBC television series. Places are limited so bookings will be on a first
Village SOS Active come first served basis. Village SOS Active seeks to build upon and maximise the legacy of the main Village SOS To find out more information and to reserve programme, particularly the captive audience of the your place, please contact Sue Martyn on BBC television series. The intension is that viewers 01939 262114/ 01939 262154 will be encouraged to set up their own village or Email: [email protected]. enterprises and Active will help keep this Closing date for bookings is 23/09/11. enthusiasm alive while making the process of establishing a thriving social enterprise that much This course/project is funded by LandSkills West easier by connecting people to the advice, support Midlands, managed by Lantra on behalf of Advantage and guidance they need. West Midlands, as part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). RDPE is funded by Village SOS Active will provide a number of useful Defra and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural resources for people considering creating a social Development. enterprise project in their own village.
Village SOS Competition London 2012 Games There will also be a small grants programme, known Contract Opportunities as the ‘Competition’, for exciting and original projects. The Competition is a £5.3m (UK wide) A large number of food and drink contract opportunities small grants programme that will award ‘prizes’ for have been released during July on CompeteFor by F&B the start-up and development of innovative and contractors ARAMARK and Bon Appetit Caterers.
exciting community enterprises. It aims to The contract opportunities are for food products including encourage fresh thinking and showcase what can meat, fish, dairy supplies and cheeses, to supply be achieved through engagement with Village SOS ARAMARK’s and Bon Appetit’s large-scale catering Active. The prizes will be between £10,000 and operations at London 2012. £30,000 for a mixture of capital and revenue, (up to £20,000 available for capital funding). It hopes to In order to bid for these opportunities contractors will award 250-300 prizes. have to be registered and fully published on CompeteFor.
For more information please go to For further details, please visit: www.villagesos.org.uk www.competefor.com
or Contact the CompeteFor Helpdesk on: 0845 2177804
Barclays Renewable Energy Fund
Barclays Bank has created this £100 million fund designed to help farmers meet the costs of renewable energy initiatives like wind farms, solar panels, organic waste power and hydro plants.
Research undertaken by the bank has revealed that agricultural businesses are now keen to benefit from government support tariffs. More than a third of farmers would like to install renewable energy projects on their land during the coming year. The Barclays survey of 300 agricultural customers indicated that four out of five farmers recognise how renewable energy can save costs and 60% see it as a source of additional income. The funding provider expects around 80-90% of projects will be solar and wind farms as they are cheapest to build and their costs are forecast to drop by up to 50% in the next three to five years as demand rises and technology improves.
Eligible Activities The loan can be used to meet the costs of renewable energy initiatives like wind farms, solar panels, organic waste power and hydro plants.
Who Can Apply Farmers in the UK may apply.
More information on Barclays Renewable Energy Fund is available through Barclays relationship managers: call 0207 116 6098, E-mail: [email protected] or visit www.group.barclays.com/Home
Woodfuel Woodland Improvement Grant
This grant supports the sustainable production of woodfuel and other timber products. Work needs to meet the UK Forest Standard but the basis for support is economic rather than environmental or social.
The grant offers 60% towards the cost of work, and doesn’t take account of the timber income that results.
The following main operations are supported:
• Roads, tracks and other infrastructure to assist the extraction of timber from woodland. Support will be based on 3 quotes and grant paid on the production of receipted invoices. • Woodland inventory and costs associated with managing harvesting contracts. Support for this work is based on standard costs.
In order to be eligible for this grant, the woodland must have an approved management plan in place so we recommend owners apply for Woodland Planning Grant if one isn’t in place already.
For more detailed information on this grant, visit the Forestry Commission website www.forestry.gov.uk
Meat Retailing for Farmers - One Day Workshops
A project for West Midlands farmers and growers who are producing, retailing or serving home grown and farm produced foods direct to the customer.
All courses will take place at:
Craven Arms Community Centre Newington Way, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 9PS
Each day 9.30am for coffee/registration with a 10am start – 3.30pm
12 th October 2011 Meat Retailing This course will cover legislation, equipment and consumables needed. Finding and working with an abattoir and butcher, routes to selling the meat, waste minimisation, carcase utilisation, costing and pricing, adding value, maximising profit and case studies from those who do it successfully.
26 th October 2011 Meat Retailing Marketing Course For anyone thinking about retailing meat direct to the consumer. Marketing is the key to success! Ideas for marketing and promotion, market segmentation 4 Ps of marketing, ideas that would work for your business comparing the cost and effectiveness of different ideas, running a successful tasting event, identifying your customer and market, image and first impressions, creating a marketing plan.
14 th November 2011 Sausage making, Bacon Curing, Pastrami, Ham - adding value Very practical – the best way to learn is to do it! Participants bring their own meat/carcases- and will take home what they make/cut up .
23 rd November 2011 Pie Making, Pates and Terrines - adding value A practical guide to adding value to meat by creating interesting and innovative pies, pates and terrines. Tastings and recipes for lovely dishes and products that keep your customers interested and bring new opportunities to your business.
For further details about all these courses and to book a place: visit www.growingruralenterprise.co.uk or call Julie on 07971 666474 or email [email protected] or call Nick 07767 844921 or email [email protected]
This project is funded by This project is funded by LandSkills West Midlands as part of the Rural Development Programme for England.
Forthcoming Events at Berrington Hall, Do you currently receive our newsletter in the Leominster, HR6 0DW post? Would you like to help the Hub reduce their costs and do a little bit for the environment? If so, Bookings for stalls at the following events are now please let us know your email address. being taken: Contact us on: [email protected] Apple Weekend Saturday 1 st & Sunday 2nd October 2011, 10am – 4pm A long established treat for everyone. Berrington’s extensive range of apples is on display, as well as Cow Signals Course cider making demonstrations, good food and craft stalls. Organised children’s activities ensure that Thursday 27 th October 2011 this is a day for all of the family. 10.00am – 3.00pm at Christmas Fair rd th Walford and North Shropshire College, Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 December 2011, Walford Campus, Baschurch, 11am – 4pm Shrewsbury, SY4 2HL Returning to winter, mince pies, mulled wine, and Christmas Carols, Berrington hosts a variety of Walford and North Shropshire College is good food and interesting craft stalls. delivering a course on Cow Signals. The course will be delivered by Karen Lancaster who is a If you would like to attend, the cost of a stall at qualified vet and the DairyCo specialist in Cow these events has remained at £20 for one day or Signals. £30 for a weekend. The course will cover the following: For further information and a Booking Form, please contact: • How to assess whether your buildings and Gareth Gwilt, Visitor Services Manager management are right for your cows. on 01568 615721 • A practical session in the shed putting
these principles into practise Small Woods • Discussion of our findings on the farm and Professional Short Courses 2011 practical changes that could be made.
Small Woods Association are keen to ensure skills The cost is £12.46 per person which includes and training in greenwood crafts and woodland refreshments and a light lunch. management are taught to a high and consistent standard and have developed a suite of Open Places are limited so bookings will be on a first College Network accredited courses. come first served basis.
The courses are designed to provide the basic To find out more information and to reserve knowledge needed to allow course participants to your place please contact: continue to practice and improve their skills and are Sue Martyn on 01939 262114 or Email [email protected] suitable for any one wishing to improve their th knowledge to a recognised standard. The closing date for bookings is Thursday 20 October 2011.
For information on all the courses, costs and This course/project is funded by LandSkills West booking, please visit: Midlands, managed by Lantra on behalf of www.greenwoodcentre.org.uk or contact Advantage West Midlands, as part of the Rural Harriet Wood on 01952 432769 Development Programme for England (RDPE). Email: [email protected] RDPE is funded by Defra and the European
Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The Woodworks project is funded by LandSkills West Midlands, managed by Lantra on behalf of Advantage West Midlands, as part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). RDPE is funded by Defra and the Euro-pean Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
Shropshire Volunteers make a difference, you could too!
Mention the words ‘Red Cross’ to most people and they immediately think of a large international organisation helping victims of large scale natural disasters or armed conflict. All of which is true of course, but did you know the organisation also provides a diverse range of services throughout the UK?
Home from hospital
Here in Shropshire one of the services provided by the British Red Cross is the home from hospital service. The service provides short-term care and support in the home for people after an accident or illness, giving them the confidence to continue their daily lives and last year helped more than 400 people in this way. It’s free to users and the help provided can include;
• transport to appointments • assistance with shopping • help to collect prescriptions • short-term loan of pendant alarms • companionship
Referrals to the home from hospital service are likely to increase this year and next which is why the Red Cross are currently working with the Shropshire County Primary Care NHS Trust to recruit additional volunteers for the service from throughout north Shropshire particularly from Whitchurch, Market Drayton and surrounding areas.
You could make a difference
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the British Red Cross. Many volunteers have full time jobs but choose to devote some of their spare time to helping others whilst some are retired and enjoy helping out in their local community. Others see volunteering as a chance to develop new skills, help with a career change or enhance their CV. Red Cross home from hospital volunteers:
• use existing skills and learn new ones • are trained and supported • feel part of a team • are part of their community
Interested?
To find out more about volunteering with the Red Cross home from hospital service telephone the Shropshire office on: 0845 054 7111 or e-mail [email protected]
Reminders Please Support your Local Producer Markets in Shropshire
FARM CARBON Farmers’ Markets held at:
FREE CARBON AUDITING SERVICE • Bishops Castle for South Shropshire Farmers. • Craven Arms • Harper Adams University Know your farm’s carbon footprint and • Ironbridge understand where carbon is costing you • Ludlow money. • Market Drayton • Much Wenlock To book an audit CALL: 07815 040933 • Newport EMAIL: [email protected] • Oswestry • Shrewsbury Supported by LEADER, Light Foot Enterprises • Shifnal and South Shropshire Partnership funding • Whitchurch
Woodland Owner in the West Midlands? For further information about the above markets please visit our website at Are you looking for timber and woodfuel www.ruralhubswm.org opportunities? If you would like information about the Did you know subsidised technical advice is Farmers’ Markets Project, please call currently available to you? Tish Dockerty on 01584 872043
For further information please contact Martin B. Jones (Heartwoods Woodland Made in Shropshire Champion Advisor), The Woodland Stewardship Company Ltd on The Square, Shrewsbury 01743 289670 or 01743 249940 or E-mail [email protected] The showcase for local arts, crafts and produce nd Website: www.woodlandstewardship.com 2 Saturday of the month.
For more details, please contact Victoria, Our Web site - www.ruralhubswm.org.uk Shropshire Rural Hub on 01939 262106 For more information about events, news, www.madeinshropshire.co.uk funding, etc, visit our website – www.ruralhubswm.org.uk
Please let Ali son ( [email protected] ) have your submissions for our next Newsletter as soon as you can, but definitely before 3 rd October 2011. Thank you
Disclaimer The Shropshire Rural Hub accepts no liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from any action taken in reliance on the information contained in this Newsletter