. . . R A B I newsAUTUMN 2017

THE MAGAZINE OF THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION Supporting farming families www.rabi.org.uk

Derbyshire vet’s walk to Holy Island page 15 Memories from a 90-year friendship page 3 From the chairman Over the summer I have had the absolute pleasure of attendingFrom a number the of agricultural chairman shows, from the Royal Cornwall Show to the in Harrogate – and the Royal Welsh Show at the end of July. The quality of the stock and produce on display at all of these events was absolutely outstanding and it’s a tremendous tribute to those who spend months on preparatory work. It is also a huge tribute to the armies Backing of stewards who ensure that everybody is in the right place at the right time and that the correct judges from JCB are in their proper classes! No one could attend any of these shows and not be Page 10 convinced that the agricultural sector in this country is amongst the very best in the world, but let’s always remember the hard work that takes place before those gates even open. It is easy to leave these shows and assume that all is well in our countryside. Nothing could be further from the truth. The applications for assistance that we receive at R.A.B.I’s office in Oxford confirm there is real hardship in our rural areas and our welfare team is kept busy with lots of calls and new enquiries for assistance. The reasons continue to be centred on illness, injury and financial problems, but there are also growing In memory issues relating to isolation and mental health. Working in farming has always been a lonely path, but as of Evelyn employed labour on farms continues to decline then the opportunities to share problems and talk through Page 13 worries and concerns become fewer. I spoke with a dairy farmer recently who set out his fears when he made clear that the problem of TB in his herd never went away. He said that firstly, he worried about the impending TB tests. Then he worried about the results… how many of his prized stock he could lose… how he could cope with all the restrictions that would accompany negative results… and finally, the next cycle of tests would come over the horizon, so there would be no let-up in the pressure. Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution As we enter the autumn and the Brexit negotiations / uncertainties over farming’s future continue, the We are a welfare charity that helps farming people policy-makers and politicians would do well to in financial difficulty. In 2016 we gave out grants of consider the corrosive effect such uncertainties have £2.1 million to 1,357 individuals / families. We also offer throughout our rural areas. practical help and always work in confidence, with Finally, I must close on a very sad note. At the compassion and discretion. Royal Welsh Show this year the Corfield family from Registered office: Shaw House, 27 West Way, Oxford OX2 0QH Montgomery tragically lost their son James. The Registered charity number: 208858 family are staunch supporters of R.A.B.I and on behalf of the charity, and personally, I extend my sincere Helpline: 0808 281 9490 condolences to them. General enquiries: 01865 724931 Fax: 01865 202025 Email: [email protected] (general queries) [email protected] (welfare enquiries) Patron: Her Majesty The Queen President: His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester

R.A.B.I News is published quarterly by R.A.B.I and edited by Rob Harris. Telephone 01865 811600 or email [email protected]

COVER IMAGE: Vet Michael Colgan is walking 330 miles along Malcolm the Pennine Way for R.A.B.I and Vetlife. See page 15 for more. Photo: Courtesy of Ruth Downing Thomas, R.A.B.I FOLLOW US: chairman Website: www.rabi.org.uk Twitter: www.twitter.com/rabicharity Facebook: www.facebook.com/rabicharity1

2 Friends for life: Beaufort’s inspiring centenarians

ABOVE: Naomi Vowles, left and Peggy Frost. TOP RIGHT: A young Naomi on a trailer with nephews and nieces and her son Philip (smallest boy), circa 1948. BOTTOM RIGHT: The major post-war investment was in grass drying after wet summers. Pictured is Naomi’s late husband Jack, circa 1955, working a machine that turned grass into cubes for horses and feed. Beaufort House resident the front and the rest in the and the baby.” An ex-smoker, she still loves Naomi Vowles celebrated back.” Both Naomi and Peggy chocolate and watching her 101st birthday on Both Naomi and Peggy became land girls to horse racing. August 4. Her friend – and married farmers. Naomi tied support the war effort. Peggy, by contrast, joked fellow Beaufort resident – the knot in July 1940 at the Naomi’s job was milking that the secret of her Peggy Frost will reach 101 age of 23 and vividly recalls and Peggy grew longevity is ‘being good’. on September 30. life during the Second vegetables and tended the The pair love life at Beaufort Both were born into large World War. gardens of a large country House, which is their home, farming families, with 10 She said: “When the war house. Her future husband rather than a care home. siblings apiece. And both started we thought Hitler would make regular 20- Naomi said: “When my are the last surviving. was coming, we really did. mile trips to ‘court her’ husband and I left the farm Though Naomi grew up on “Much of the war was plain – always ensuring he had we were wondering where Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire boring, you couldn’t go a large bag of spuds with to go and saw they were and Peggy in the Mendip anywhere, but every night him so he could say he building flats here. I wrote Hills, Somerset, they’ve we would hear the German was ‘delivering potatoes’ a letter, I wasn’t sure of known each other since planes on their way to if questioned why he was the address or who I was they were nine. Naomi’s bomb Bristol, shaking our there. writing to, but I got a reply sister married Peggy’s back doors. We’d hear “We had evacuees from saying ‘come and choose cousin so they would often them going back again Bristol in our house,” one’. We picked an upstairs meet up at family parties. after they had shed their recalled Peggy. flat so we could go out Naomi’s parents died when loads. “And on the Mendips they shopping and leave the she was just nine so she “A quarter of a mile from built another Bristol, which window open.” was effectively raised by our place was a radar was lit by beacons, to try Peggy says she first older siblings, but she still station and they would and fool the Germans.” became aware of Beaufort remembers childhood as often come to bomb it, After the war, both women House through Naomi. ‘happy times’. She said: there were holes upon raised families of their own. Peggy’s daughter Sue said: “Growing up on a farm I holes but they never hit it Peggy, who married in “Mother didn’t think she loved the freedom, the once. 1942, had three children would know anyone but space around you. “They did crack the and Naomi two. she’s come across distant “And I remember my farmhouse right down the Naomi says there’s no real relatives and people who father’s Austin 16 Open middle though, it terrified secret to a long life and she used to farm near to where Tourer – he’d sit as many me. I went into the hall has always ‘done what she she lived. She’s very happy of us as he could across cupboard with the dog likes’. here.” For enquiries about welfare call the Freephone Helpline: 0808 281 9490 3 Claire, farmer’s daughter "My father was diagnosed The only certainty in farming is uncertainty with lung cancer and unable to manage the harvest. R.A.B.I. helped to pay for a contractor that We want the best for year. " you and your family Tim, farm hit by TB "We received £2k to help cover some domestic bills. We're very happy to be back at market and our cattle are selling extremely well. "

Gareth, MS sufferer "The mobility scooter has Supporting farmers through the ages since 1860 made so much difference to my life, even walking a short Farming can be an unpredictable business and it’s impossible to prepare for all eventualities. Sometimes, something appears from nowhere and hits you hard. It might distance was becoming be animal disease, flooding, ill health, an accident or cash flow problems. difficult but now the world It's easy to fall into a spiral where one thing goes wrong after another and you cannot has opened up for see the wood from the trees. However, R.A.B.I is here to help. me again. " The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I) is farming’s oldest and largest welfare charity, operating in England and Wales. We provide financial assistance to retired and working farmers, farmworkers and their families. We help people in financial hardship of all ages, including dependants. We also support the sick and disabled. Nick, Our work is funded by donations, investment income, charitable trusts and money accident victim raised at events arranged by county volunteer committees, businesses, community groups and fundraising staff. "To know we had We know it takes courage to admit you need help. However, we work in total somebody there every day confidence and will not judge you. We'll tailor our support to suit your needs. Our while I was off work was a welfare officers understand farming and the issues within it. They'll listen with massive bonus. To find a few compassion and try to do their very best for you and your family. hundred pounds a month Take that important first step today. Call our confidential Freephone Helpline for a relief workman was 0808 281 9490 and speak to a member of our welfare team. beyond us with no income We would also love to hear from you if you are interested in fundraising or coming in. " supporting our events. Please call us on 01865 724931. Thank you! "It’s not just about the money, it’s knowing that someone cares. 4 R.A.B.I has taken the pressure off me. I’m so grateful.” Our work in 2017

The only certainty in farming is uncertainty

£187,164 " £1,273,520 1,078 Given to working people and The total amount paid The number of individuals & families their dependants out in grants helped financially

It takes courage to admit you’ve got a problem, pick up the phone and ask for help. But it might be the best decision you make this year.

R.A.B.I is farming’s oldest and largest welfare charity, operating in England and Wales. We can help you to get back on your feet. £41,080 Paid towards relief farm staff "

£92,140 Given for disability equipment, aids and home adaptations £133,007 Spent on clearing general domestic bills " We know it takes courage to admit you need help If you work - or have worked - in farming call our Freephone Helpline 0808 281 9490 The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, Shaw House, 27 West Way, Oxford OX2 0QH 16 Reg. charity number 208858 Website www.rabi.org.uk Helpline 0808 281 9490 General enquiries 01865 724931 Email [email protected] Figures quoted (unaudited) cover the period January 1 to September 6, 2017 Exit collection of £4,092 at top arable event

Show charity at Cereals for second consecutive year Cereals celebrated its 40th collecting tins on their anniversary and R.A.B.I stands. Charity chairman was delighted to be show Malcolm Thomas spoke charity for the second to many supporters during year running. the show to personally This year, the event was thank them for their efforts. held at Boothby Graffoe in Clarabelle, the fibreglass Lincolnshire. cow painted for R.A.B.I Cereals is the UK’s leading by artist Lauren Terry and arable industry event, owned and loaned for attracting more than the show by Tim Metson, 24,000 people over two a Surrey farmer, also days. An exit collection made an appearance at raised £4,092 for R.A.B.I. Cereals. A number of businesses Thanks to Haymarket showed their support too and Comexposium for TEAM EFFORT: Volunteers with buckets at this year’s by displaying boards and selecting R.A.B.I to be Cereals show. keeping literature and show charity. Cardiff run Yagro is proud supporter Ludlow-based Tony Clark not seem much, farmers are firm Kiwikit has raised more the furthest growing every supported than £500 by distance I’ve day and R.A.B.I R.A.B.I completing ever cycled does amazing throughout the the London to before is work.” show season Cambridge probably a Yagro is a and John Cycle ride grand total of digital business- Davies and in July. The 12 miles. to-business Rob Massey distance “I’ve come to platform that will be running covered was know R.A.B.I seeks to link the Cardiff Half around 60 through working farm suppliers Marathon in miles. with Yagro who, and their October to raise Tony (right of as a business, customers further funds. To picture) said: are proud to together. support them “To put things support the Pictured with go to www. into context, as charity. Tony is fellow justgiving.com/ for some fitness “The pressures cyclist John fundraising/ fanatics it may and strains on Forde. kiwikit Farming Help receives £10k from Frontier Frontier ’s also donated a Responsible Choice penny for every project team tonne of grain traded presented £10,000 during the week. to the Farming Help Frontier traded 98,933 charities. The money tonnes of grain was raised during during that week this year’s Mental (adding £989 to the Health Awareness total). Week and will be split Sharon Kennett, evenly between the chair of The four Farming Help Responsible Choice charities, R.A.B.I, steering group RSABI, the Addington explained: “We Fund and the knew our colleagues Farming Community would support Network. The cheque The Responsible FIRST CHOICE: Left to right, Frontier’s Responsible Choice team, Lydia was presented in Choice’s involvement Martin, Lauren Tregidgo, Cara Fairburn and Jessie Lambert, with Ian June at Frontier’s in Mental Health Bell (Addington Fund), Paul Hart (FCN),Vicki Beers (FCN) and Mary offices in Lincoln. Awareness Week, Martin (R.A.B.I). Pictured far right is Julia Bennett, also of Frontier’s Frontier staff raised but their level of Responsible Choice team. £4,602.30 through commitment was ways and raised so hoped for. Frontier match their efforts, fundraising events fantastic. They got much more than therefore made increasing the total and the company involved in so many we could ever have the decision to donation to £10,000.”

6 Four-day ride from London to Paris Advanced vet course Range of children’s toys to be used as prizes Global Kramp UK donated a range of in the north of England. These Biggleswade site last April for a animal health children’s farmyard toys and donations were suggested by guided tour of their distribution company two pedal tractors, which will Kramp employees, who wanted warehouse. Elanco be auctioned and raffled off at to show their support to the R.A.B.I corporate development offered an fundraising events. In addition, farming community. manager Suzy Deeley said: advanced £765 was raised through laptop The company also invited a “We’re extremely grateful to course for sales. group of R.A.B.I staff, trustees everyone at Kramp UK for their dairy vets. The Bedfordshire-based firm and supporters to their incredible support.” The course supplies parts was free but to technical delegates repair and Aspirations high for an outdoor adventure were asked manufacturing to make a companies. Chris Davies of Agri donation In 2016 they Trader and Richard of £200 to named R.A.B.I Cheney from Aspirations R.A.B.I. To as their charity Outdoor Adventures are date, £2,400 of the year cycling from Fishguard has been and donated to Smithfield Market in received from a large stock London this month to raise this initiative of wellies and money for R.A.B.I. – thanks children’s toys, They are pictured with to Elanco worth around R.A.B.I regional managers and all who £6k, in response Linda Jones and Becky contributed. to the flooding Davies. Lifetime award ‘Hardship is stark reality’ for ex-trustee Two keen cyclists Andrew said: expect to raise “We rolled into more than £3k Paris and rode after cycling around the Arc 334-miles from de Triomphe London to Paris. and down the Andrew Burgess Champs-Élysées and George to where the Harris completed Tour de France the ride in four finishes.” days. Both Andrew and Andrew, a fourth George have generation worked hard to farmer, is director raise funds for Former trustee Carol Rymer was of agriculture at R.A.B.I. presented with the Yorkshire Produce World, Andrew added: Agricultural Society and which he runs “Financial Royal Agricultural Benevolent with his brothers hardship is a Institution Lifetime Achievement in Peterborough. stark reality for Award on day one of the Great George is some; I’m a Yorkshire Show in Harrogate. currently serving farmer myself Carol received her award as Master of and although I’ve from show president elect Bill the Worshipful never needed Cowling on the president’s Company of help, you never lawn. Carol is a former High Poulters. know.” Sheriff for East Riding and a non- Their journey George and executive director of JSR Farms finished in the Andrew are Ltd, one of the largest family-run centre of Paris. pictured left. farming companies in the UK.

Get ready for Welly Week! Welly Week is a fun way of raising funds as well as awareness about R.A.B.I’s work, while wearing your wellies! Welly Week will run from Saturday October 28 through to Sunday November 5. For more information go to www.rabi.org.uk, Twitter.com/rabicharity or Facebook.com/ rabicharity1

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/rabicharity 7 Eye-catching gardens opened to public Match funding Tom and from Limagrain Carol Stephenson • LG Seeds raised £121.85 opened their with a cream tea day at beautiful the beginning of August. gardens in Limagrain matched the Flint to the funding to increase the public for an total to £243.70. afternoon tea and helped • To mark their 25th raise £700. anniversary, the Suffolk Pictured are committee held a ‘Silver supporters Celebration’ garden party from the at Kenton Hall, courtesy of Clwyd the McVeigh family. The committee. day raised £2,055. This year’s Creslow cream tea fundraiser is the busiest yet The tea and scones went down a treat as a cream tea fundraiser at Creslow Manor in Aylesbury generated an impressive £4,912. Around 250 people attended. Creslow Manor, the former grazing ground for the Royal Table, dates back to the 13th century and now belongs to R.A.B.I supporters Brian and Linda Lear. At this year’s R.A.B.I AGM / conference, Linda scooped the South Central regional prize for her efforts organising this popular annual summer event. It’s certainly grown in stature from humble Spirits not Guided tour of lavender fields beginnings – the first one took dampened place in 2010 and was hosted Afternoon tea was served family for hosting for the under a couple of tents. Poor weather in the beautiful setting of third consecutive year and This year’s cream tea meant the the English Lavender Farm, Macdonald Oates for their fundraiser was arguably the cream tea Selbourne near Alton in support. The day raised busiest yet, with the marquee event at Hampshire. £1,000. Pictured, left to right, filling up quickly. Good Kitchenham Owner Tim Butler gave a are: Mike Newell, Hampshire weather meant drinks could Farm in East guided tour of the lavender committee vice-chairman, be enjoyed on the lawn Sussex took and wild flower fields John Milne, Claire Ridout whilst admiring the views of part in the before everyone returned from MacDonald Oates the historic house. Members barn instead to the marquee for tea and and Hampshire committee of R.A.B.I’s Buckinghamshire of on the cakes. Thanks to the Butler chairman John Korbey. committee ran a raffle and beautiful an auction, with some great manicured prizes up for grabs, including lawns. a beautiful painting of a cow. However, Guests were also asked to spirits were not ‘guess the number of balloons dampened in a car’ for the chance to win and some 65 a professional valet, courtesy guests had of Aylesbury Honda. a wonderful Pictured left to right are R.A.B.I afternoon, supporters Linda Lear, Mel raising more Sanderson, Ginny Stollery, Kirsty than £500. Johnson, and Brian Lear.

8 Scooter makes a difference How to order Christmas George Worrall worked in cards and calendars farming all his life and was milking cows by hand at seven. He particularly loved working with Shire horses, integral to day to day work on a farm without tractors. George, now 79, from Weaverham, was left confined to his house following hip surgery but R.A.B.I provided him with a mobility scooter and also funded adaptations bag of crisps to look after to turn his coal shed into the horse. When he came somewhere to store – and out he’d say ‘don’t tell your charge – his scooter. gran’ and leave me to get us When he was 13, George home. I didn’t know where Why not support R.A.B.I calendar and notelet left school to work on the I was going but the horse this year by sending our order form at www.rabi. family farm in Warrington always knew.” Christmas cards? org.uk and return by with his brother. He worked George has also been This year, we’ve got an post to Elle Publishing, in farming until he was 71 supported by the Weaver excellent range of cards 7 Seax Way, Southfields and said: “I loved it, though Vale Housing Trust, who put available featuring Industrial Park, Basildon, it was hard work with long him in touch with R.A.B.I. He some wonderful images Essex, SS15 6SW. hours. I had to take over the said: “The scooter has made which have all been Alternatively, make farm when my granddad such a big difference and I donated. your selections from the died and there were plenty can get out to the shops in Our 2018 ‘Farming ‘Christmas card and of challenges, but I wouldn’t the village, a mile and a half in Focus’ calendar is calendar collection have swapped it for anything away. R.A.B.I has been good also available to buy. leaflet’ and place your in the world. to me. I wouldn’t have been The calendar features order by calling the card “Fridays were the best days able to do for myself what the work of 12 of the & calendar order and when I was young because you’ve done for me, not for UK’s top agricultural enquiry hotline: 01268 my granddad would take quite a while at any rate.” photographers and is 888217. me to market. After we had supported by the NFU Please note that cards sold everything he’d go to George is pictured with Linda Mutual Charitable Trust. and calendars cannot pub and leave me outside Meredith of the Weaver Vale How to order be ordered directly from with a bottle of pop and a Housing Trust Please download R.A.B.I’s head office in the Christmas card, Oxford. Regional Welfare Officers Find out what we can do for you today. Call us on 0808 281 490

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

JOHN BASNETT CLAIRE CRICHARD NORTH EAST ENGLAND CATHY DENSLOW SOUTH EAST WALES & BORDERS Yorkshire, Derbyshire SOUTH ENGLAND 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 ENGLAND SOUTH WEST ENGLAND Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk Cornwall, Devon

JACKIE CLEGG NORTH WEST ENGLAND PAT DOBSON Cheshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, SOUTH EAST ENGLAND 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 JCB and Farmers Guardian spearhead unique project

JOINING FORCES: A unique JCB Loadall Agri Pro, built entirely by 68 of the manufacturer’s apprentices, will be sold at auction for R.A.B.I and the Louise Hartley Memorial Fund. The project was launched at Live.

Farmers Guardian has anniversary edition of the Money donated to R.A.B.I and apprentices. Working joined forces with JCB popular telescopic handler will be used to assist farming in agriculture doesn’t have to raise money to help was overseen by Chris people suffering from to just mean farming. There young people achieve Morris, JCB’s apprenticeship mental health issues. are many opportunities in their farming dreams. A adviser. It is the industry’s Danusia Osiowy, Farmers engineering, fabrication, unique JCB Loadall Agri first telescopic handler to Guardian head of crop protection and animal Pro, built entirely by 68 combine characteristics of features, said: “Research nutrition, for example. of the manufacturer’s powershift and hydrostatic has shown mental health “Good luck with the apprentices, will be sold drives. issues remain prominent auction, I hope it will raise at auction (dates to be The online web portal for in farming, among those lots of money for two such confirmed). The money the Loadall Agri Pro charity in rural communities. With worthy causes.” raised will be donated to auction will be formally increasing pressures on Charlie, a JCB apprentice the Louise Hartley Memorial launched and hosted on farmers and their families, who worked on the project, Fund and R.A.B.I. the JCB website www.jcb. we want to help facilitate added: “It was great to be JCB chairman Lord com the necessary help they part of a big team and an Bamford said: “As a The Louise Hartley Memorial need to get better.” opportunity to meet and former apprentice with Fund helps young people Countryfile’s Adam Henson work with other apprentices engineering running progress in farming, via is supporting the auction in different parts of the through my blood, I scholarships. It’s the legacy and said: “The machine is business and understand am proud of what our of former Farmers Guardian fantastic, congratulations what they do. The apprentices have achieved journalist Louise Hartley, to all the apprentices apprenticeship has offered with this project.” who passed away in July involved in building it. It’s a great way of getting into The six-month project to 2016 after a short battle great to see opportunities JCB and opportunities to build the bespoke 40th with ovarian cancer. like this for young people progress to a higher level.” Countryfile goes live at Blenheim The second year of Walton, who raised produced by R.A.B.I Countryfile Live was more than £7,000 on his supporter Lauren a huge success for 2016 tour of livestock Terry, attracted many R.A.B.I, who had a auction marts was one admirers. Interactive stand in the Cotswold such supporter. He model Daisy, Farm Park / Passion for showed off impressive meanwhile, was in British Livestock area. skills auctioning off a constant demand as Held in Blenheim number of animals. children honed their Palace’s parkland, On the R.A.B.I stand, milking skills. at the edge of the charity’s own Thanks to Daisy, plus Woodstock in ‘livestock’, cows a raffle and sales of Oxfordshire, the Clarabelle and Daisy, Christmas cards and popular show hosted proved popular. 2018 calendars, £350 a number of R.A.B.I Clarabelle, the was raised on the ABOVE: R.A.B.I operations manager Kris supporters. Jack stunning work of art stand. Band with Countryfile’s Matt Baker. 10 ‘Rather than struggle on alone, give us a call’ In this column, which first appeared in , R.A.B.I CEO Paul Burrows appeals for people to seek the charity’s help, rather than try and battle through problems in isolation.

on your own is probably one of the R.A.B.I has been around since 1860 toughest hurdles to overcome. At and the charity’s longevity owes times things are out of your control, much to the fact that the people but it can be easier to convince who drive the organisation forward yourself ‘everything will be better in come from the same fields, quite a month or two’s time’ than swallow literally, as those it helps. your pride, pick up the phone and Many individuals both receive and share your story with someone give support to R.A.B.I at different you’ve never met and do not know. stages of their lives. We’re here for people of all ages and supporting the sick, disabled and elderly is at the core of what we do. When you call our Freephone Many individuals Helpline 0808 281 9490 you won’t be Perceptions are funny things. If “ both receive and put through to a faceless call centre. you work in farming you know You’ll speak to someone at our it’s impossible to plan for every give support to Oxford office who will understand eventuality. Even the best and most R.A.B.I at different your concerns and anxieties and efficient planners can be struck want to put you at ease. Think of it as down by bolts from the blue: animal stages of their a listening ear. You won’t be judged disease, droughts, flooding, illness, lives. and everything you tell us will stay accidents and cash flow problems confidential. We’ll try and work out can appear from nowhere in a ” a plan of action with you, identifying heartbeat and leave you reeling. ways we might be able to help. We’ll So why do so many people in make suggestions and we’ll listen to farming still think asking for help is a It can seem more logical to battle yours. sign of weakness or failure? on alone because, working in Usually, one of our regional welfare A 2015/16 Prince’s Countryside Fund farming, that’s what people do every officers will visit you, to meet face impact report found that half of all day of the week anyway, isn’t it? to face. You wouldn’t believe how UK farmers no longer make a living So you give yourself reasons why many problems get sorted out from farming alone. The average you should not ring R.A.B.I. around the kitchen table. farm income of small and medium The help we offer is mainly financial sized family farms fell below £20k ‘I don’t want strangers to know my but alongside that we’ll give our and farm borrowing levels almost business or share my problems with time and our expertise. doubled in 10 years. The report also the world’. Sometimes, it only takes a small revealed that 17% of farms did not amount of support to get things have the means to pay off short term ‘I don’t know what you can do for back on track. Even if we can’t debts. me or what to ask for. And I couldn’t help you ourselves, we’ll often point Those stats clearly indicate the world even tell you what I need’. you in the right direction so you of farming is changing – and there get the support you need. We work are lots of people in our industry who I’d rather live without the guilt of with, and alongside, lots of other are struggling to keep their heads asking for charity, thanks all the organisations. above water. same.’ So, instead of giving yourself reasons Asking for help is not easy and why you shouldn’t ring R.A.B.I, why admitting to yourself that you’ve got ‘Surely there are others much worse not try listing a few reasons why you problems which you cannot solve off than me. Aren’t there?’ should?

Contact us in confidence Call our Oxford office on 0808 281 9490 to speak to a member of our small but friendly welfare team. For more information about what we do go to www.rabi.org.uk

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. Scrumpy and sun with The Wurzels

Around 720 setting up on the people attended night. It was a great Locko Park event brings in more than £8k a concert by The team effort. Wurzels at Folly The Wurzels still Farm in West Ilsey, know how to ‘wow’ Berkshire on June a crowd and 17. The setting on people of all ages a warm summer’s were singing along night was perfect, to their perennial with and favourites. cattle grazing in The Oxfordshire the background. committee The concert raised organised and ran more than £11k. a very slick and well Thanks to David stocked bar, which and Jane Carlisle delivered hundreds for allowing R.A.B.I of pints to thirsty to take over their customers to raise farm buildings £3,267.86. and Richard Gore Pictured are and the Berkshire organisers with the committee for band.

A tour of Locko Park Proficiency There was also a in Derbyshire and a Committee to form performance from generous donation Derbyshire Land Skills. soprano Alicia Hill in Tour of historic estate from the Ockbrook Ockbrook decided the chapel. Sarah and Bernard Taylor opened up Training Group to kindly donate the Pictured are the doors of their Rycote Park home to resulted in £8,200 remainder of their Derbyshire committee 52 guests for a tour of the historic estate. being raised. residual capital and members, left to Rycote Park, near Thame in Oxfordshire, The Ockbrook presented £7,427 to right, Graham Hinds, was the site of a palace originally built Training Group, R.A.B.I. Mary Martin (R.A.B.I in Tudor times. It was almost completely which previously ran Mick Marshall, head regional manager), demolished in 1807 and all that remains arable and vegetable gardener of Locko Jean Dilks, Bill Dilks, today from that era is part of the south classes, recently Park, led guests on David Boddy, Angela west tower. amalgamated a tour of the park’s Sargent, Sarah Booth Sarah led the tour, taking guests around with the Derbyshire impressive gardens. and Sue Hall. the chapel as well as the gardens. The day raised £1,400. 12 Remarkable story of a husband’s devotion

Keeping Evelyn’s memory alive Show president to do something to help leads the way combat this evil disease as a tribute to my wife.” • Pembrokeshire Emyr hosted an open farm County Show president evening, giving the public Richard Cole donated an opportunity to view £1,285 – the proceeds the stunning heifers and from a ladies’ reception calves. People also got morning raffle – to the a chance to look around Pembrokeshire Ladies’ ‘Eve’s garden’, a delightful county committee. mix of flowers, fruit and Richard was represented vegetables, designed at the function by his by Emyr and lovingly wife Ann, who organised maintained in his wife’s the well-attended name. event. Ann, on behalf Lord Digby-Jones, former of the Pembrokeshire OPEN EVENING: Emyr Wigley (centre), with Malcolm director general of the CBI Agricultural Society, Thomas (left) and Lord Digby-Jones. and patron of Ovarian presented another Cancer Action, was guest cheque for £300 to Helen Powys farmer Emyr Wigley “Evelyn and I built up a speaker at the open Williams, chair of the has developed a unique dairy herd with hard work evening, which was also ladies’ committee. herd of British Blue cattle and long hours,” explained attended by Malcolm The NFU Cymru / NFU in memory of his late wife, Emyr. Thomas MBE, chairman of Mutual marquee was the Evelyn. The Old Stackyard “Our plans for travel, our R.A.B.I. venue for a cheese and British Blue herd will exist caravan holidays and Becky Davies, R.A.B.I wine fundraiser arranged solely to raise funds for two walking in the beautiful regional manager by the Pembrokeshire charities close to Emyr’s British countryside loved by for North Wales, said: Ladies’ R.A.B.I county heart, R.A.B.I and Ovarian us both were put on hold “Emyr’s story – and his committee on the Cancer Action. until our retirement. It was a commitment to both us Wednesday of the show Before their retirement, the devastating blow to learn and Ovarian Cancer and a raffle and further Wigleys, from Llansantffraid, in the first few years of our Action – is remarkable. donations boosted the used to keep a small retirement, that Evelyn had “We’ve already received sum raised to more than herd of British Blue cattle ovarian cancer. She was a cheque for £1,072. At £2,500. alongside a dairy herd. a very special lady, kind, the open evening a young Following Evelyn’s death, caring and multi-talented local singer called Megan Some 120 guests Emyr decided to start and after a lifetime of Keaveny performed one of • enjoyed a race night another herd in her work the majority of her Eve’s favourite songs ‘Coat at the Dorset County memory and began retirement years were of Many Colours’. I’m sure Showground. Show buying prime heifers from stolen from her. Whilst Eve would be very proud organisers offered the use some of the UK’s top tragically too late to help of everything that Emyr has of the members’ pavilion breeders. my dear Evelyn, I wanted achieved in her honour.” for this R.A.B.I event and racegoers enjoyed a three-course supper followed by six races Millerstone Jester, best of breed shown on the big screen. R.A.B.I was the The races were sponsored Halifax Show’s by local businesses chosen charity for and representatives of 2017. Greenslade Taylor Hunt Thomas Sykes, were on hand to auction eight, won ‘Bob off horses in each race. the Cow’ in the R.A.B.I raffle at the Children of staff show, which raised • members at the NFU around £150. Dolgellau branch raised Pictured at the £128.19 by painting glitter August show on faces and varnishing is farmer Mark nails at the Merionethshire Severn from County Show. In addition, Barkisland near £242 was raised by staff Halifax with members who sold tickets Millerstone Jester, for a hamper raffle. who was named Representatives from shorthorn and bull Welsh Farm Supplies were breed champion, at the Merionethshire as well as reserve Show too, raising money show champion. for R.A.B.I via collection Photo: Katie tins. Redhead

Find us on Facebook.com/rabicharity1 13 Pork pie and Pimms reception is popular Three days in the New Forest Lunch on the farm The Hampshire • The Staffordshire Grand committee enjoyed Sunday lunch was held at three successful days Befcote Farm in Gnosall in at the New Forest & June, by kind invitation of Hampshire County Norman and Jennifer Tomkinson Show. Activities on the (following the wedding stand were aimed at reception of their daughter young children and Louise to Simon Harrison). A total the stand was located of £1,078.90 was raised. in the local produce area, a brilliant part David and Sue Maddocks of of the showground • Devauden in Chepstow hosted to be based. Sarah the Monmouthshire committee’s Hunt and her team open garden event, which did an amazing job in raised £967. arranging the area. West Coast ride is a classic Seven cyclists from in a respectable time. Clitheroe-based firm The team – featuring Dugdale Nutrition took Alan Dobson, Steven part in the 78-mile West Marsden, Peter Coast Classic in aid of Wormleighton, Steve R.A.B.I. Pinder, Andrew Galling, The final leg from Lytham Naomi Shuker and back to Preston was a Rowan Boardley – raised long 18-mile stretch, but over £2,300, more than every member of the double their original Dugdale team crossed target. Highly commended Award presented to CEO at the first attempt of Yorkshire Ag Society

The sunshine brought a record Artist Lauren Terry and her Cow Parade crowd of 133,542 people to creation Clarabelle joined regional the Great Yorkshire Show in managers Georgina Lamb and Becky Harrogate. Regional managers Davies and committee supporters at Georgina Lamb and Sally Conner the Cheshire Show. This was the first attended the three-day show time R.A.B.I had its own stand at the and visitors crowded around two-day show and it resulted in a the R.A.B.I stand for the pork pie ‘highly commended’ award in the small and Pimms reception. Chairman agricultural trade stand competition. Malcolm Thomas spoke about Pictured with Georgina, left and Lauren, the charity’s work and presented second from left, are trade stand judges Nigel Pulling, CEO of the Yorkshire Ray and Gill Brown. Agricultural Society with the Clarabelle’s summer tour also took in Dennis Brown Shield. Cereals, the Great Yorkshire Show and This is awarded to the Countryfile Live. Thanks to owner Tim organisation which ‘makes the ABOVE: Rugby AM founder Alex Metson, from Coverwood Farm in Surrey, greatest contribution’ to R.A.B.I Simmons in the pig ring. TOP LEFT: for loaning her. during the year. Nigel Pulling with Malcolm Thomas. 14 Record-breaking bidders surpass £13k

70 lots go under hammer in Cornwall Son nods off with Edward Buckland The night raised a exceeded ambitious Ltd, PKF Francis Clark, record-breaking total guide prices.” his squishy cow Cornish Mutual, of £13,526.70 for R.A.B.I, Brian Harvey, head Barclays and Coodes FCN and the Addington of agriculture at PKF • Caroline and Richard held the fourth annual Fund. Francis Clark, added: Matthews hosted an open farm Cornish supper and Edward Buckland said: “The event has gone Sunday event at Felcourt Farm grand charity auction in “We are humbled by the from strength to strength near East Grinstead and £343 aid of farming charities unstoppable generosity since its inception in was taken in the collecting in the Cornish Mutual of the individuals and 2014. bucket. One person who marquee at the Royal businesses who donate “In total, almost £40k attended wrote a thank you Cornwall Show. to this event and to has been raised in message, which read: “After More than 350 people everyone who takes four years and we are we got home, my kids spent the attended an evening of part. delighted to have been rest of the afternoon making a lively bidding for 70 lots. “This year, many lots involved from the start.” dairy farm out of Lego, and my son went to sleep cuddling his squishy cow. Many thanks to your team for making us feel so Tepee offers a taste of Shropshire welcome.”

• Forty people gathered at the Ramsbury Estate in Aldbourne, Wiltshire for a tour of the brewery and distillery. The June event raised £1,110. The Ramsbury Estate is well known for its ale, vodka, and gin. The estate also offers fish and game from its smokehouse and pressed oils. Good weather meant that visitors could enjoy a tractor and trailer tour of the grounds. After the tour they were treated to a hog roast. David and Cheryl for their Taste of Lots of people bought Moseley celebrated Shropshire event. food to take home – • Lloyds Bank donated the the wedding of their More than 100 people including newlyweds money from a raffle at their third daughter at their attended to meet local Sam and Anna Rowlett, annual Somerset golf day to home near Wroxeter in food producers and who purchased bacon R.A.B.I. This popular event was Shrewsbury in July and try tasty samples. Chris and cakes for their held at the Isle of Wedmore Golf kindly offered the use Downes and Kate Jones ‘mini honeymoon’ in Club with teams from across the of their large ‘tepee’ were on hand to tell Cornwall. South West taking part. The raffle to R.A.B.I’s Shropshire people more about The event raised more raised more than £200. committee (pictured) R.A.B.I’s work. than £1,200. Vet giving something back to community Derbyshire vet and work with.” hardships that the “A farmworker, for the sole breadwinner Michael Colgan is Michael joined farming community example, injured for a family and walking 330 miles the Overdale has had to face. A by livestock or could have no along the Pennine practice in 1998 as farmer’s life is a tough machinery, may be income for months.” Way to raise money a new graduate and one, long hours, often for R.A.B.I and Vetlife. became a partner working alone, and Photo: Ruth Downing Michael (pictured), in 2006. He is rarely not without the risk of a director and vet seen without his accident or injury. at the Buxton-based trusted companion “The same is true practice Overdale ‘Barney’, a Patterdale of the vets that Vets, began his walk terrier. Michael’s serve the farming on the August Bank walk will take in community up and Holiday weekend his family’s farm in down the country and expects to Northumberland en and in the towns and finish at the end route to the finish cities too. Inevitably, of September. He at Holy Island. He this tough and often said: “The reason added: “I have been isolated life can lead I want to do this is lucky enough to be to stress, depression to raise awareness a vet, a job I love, and suicide. The and money for in a beautiful part stresses are often two charities that of the world for the compounded by help support the last 19 years. In that a lack of financial community I live in time I have seen the security.

For enquiries about welfare call the Freephone Helpline: 0808 281 9490 15 NFU stages dinner and dance in Kendal

YFC’s sheep shearing competition Party time at home • A garden party at the home of Sue and Brian Westmacott raised £3,226. Duncan Hawley, Warwickshire NFU county chairman, organised the event, inspired by the annual Worcestershire R.A.B.I dinner. Sue, who runs her own catering firm, was keen to offer her services and home free of charge. Fortunately, the weather was good enough for guests to enjoy a glass of Pimms in the garden before tucking into a three course meal. After dinner, guests were entertained by James Walton, a local land North East regional manager Sally Conner gave a talk to members of Coquetdale agent who also serves as YFC in Northumberland. The club held a sheep shearing competition for locals, treasurer for the Warwickshire who were judged on time and neatness. The competition raised a total of £3,000. NFU. James showcased his Pictured is Stoker Frater, chair of the Northumberland committee, accepting a musical talents long into the cheque for £1,000 from Amber Ford and fellow club members. night.

• A tour of the spectacular Moor Wood Gardens at Woodmancote near Cheltenham Popular Boomerang raised £825. Some 50 guests took advantage of the opportunity to explore Moor Wood, a two acre country garden with a wild flower meadow, walled garden, returns once again sweeping lawns and an orchard. The NFU South Lakes dinner As holder of the National and dance was held at the Collection of Rambler Roses, it is Castle Green Hotel in Kendal home to more than 150 varieties on July 7 and the evening of rambler rose. proved popular with 150 guests enjoying a wonderful • The West Yorkshire meal and entertainment committee’s strawberries and from live band Boomerang. cream evening at Dove Cottage The band features Kendal Nurseries in Halifax attracted 50 NFU Mutual’s very own Chris guests for strawberry treats and James on vocals. Prosecco. The evening raised an The evening, in the past, has impressive £3,300 for R.A.B.I. been dogged by terrible Pictured are NFU group weather but the sun shone secretaries Natalie Dennison brightly this year. Thanks to (Broughton office) and Chris everyone who contributed to James. the cake stall, particularly Diane Thanks to organisers and Julie Chislett for baking scones and Gillespie from Barclays for coordinating the night which arranging match funding. raised £432.50. Henlle Park golfers hungry on and off course Golfers took part in committee served The main supporters Henlle Park’s charity up sausage baps of the golf day golf day on June 2. to players after the were Agri Advisor Twenty-one teams ninth hole of the Solicitors, a firm with of four competed fundraiser, now a offices in Pumsaint, in Oswestry with popular fixture on Carmarthenshire, the team from Rees the regional golfing Welshpool and Astley Insurance calendar. Players Cardiff. coming out on top. also received R.A.B.I regional The event raised bacon rolls and manager Becky £2,697.29. coffee on arrival Davies, third from Members of and a two-course left, is pictured with the Shropshire meal after the golf. the winners. 16 Breakdown doesn’t stop three peaks dash Georgina’s car boot sale Devon steams on ahead Georgina providing jobs Masson raised and food to £150 by selling those in the north items on east, and those R.A.B.I’s behalf that do work at a car boot hard to produce sale. Georgina the nation’s explained: “I food sometimes decided to may need help fundraise for as well, yet R.A.B.I as it is don’t always an important receive it. R.A.B.I aspect of life in provides the Northumberland. necessary help The Devon team was out in force as one of the show “The agricultural that farmers and charities at the South Hams Vintage Machinery Club industry plays a their colleagues Rally. Celia Hyland is pictured on a steam engine, with crucial role in need.” committee members and supporters behind her. Support in Kent from Savannah Trust Running low on ice • Every year, a cocktail party takes place at the Norfolk Showground a week before the The Savannah Norfolk Show. This year’s event Trust donated was hosted in the members’ a cheque for pavilion and the warm sunshine £1,087.35 to attracted some 200 people. David Chantler The local supermarket even ran of the Kent out of ice. Another successful committee, fundraiser brought in more than following a beef £5k, a tremendous effort from dinner at the all concerned. Longstanding London Beach supporters Brown & Co and Birketts Hotel. help make this event the success it is and generous match funding was also provided by Barclays.

• The Hampshire committee won ‘best show trade charity stand’ at this year’s Alresford Show. Various Four minutes to spare activities ensured £575 was raised. Joe Corbett loaned his 1916 Titan tractor and over 200 people enjoyed rides, donating £200+.

• Tom Jones of Dolanog donated £250, a percentage from his book ‘Rhwng Dau Glawdd’. The book is a diary of his commitments in 2015 incorporating work on the family farm and his duties as a member of the European Economic and Social Committee.

• ‘Tractors, Tanks and Tiger Moths’ was a two-day event held on June 25 and 26 at Pent Farm in Hythe, Kent, by kind permission of Students from the Adams donated an the way to Snowdon farmer Chris Reynolds. Proceeds Harper Adams University additional £2,000. – setting them back were split between four charities in Newport climbed Guy Groves, Ben three hours – but they and R.A.B.I received £650. the highest peaks in Ward, Ed Cauldwell, still raced to finish in 23 Scotland, England and and James Latter hours and 56 minutes. • Bucks committee pair Ginny Wales inside 24 hours. set out on the Three Pictured from left to Stollery and Jill Cochrane Their impressive feat Peaks Challenge while right are James, Guy, attended the Bucks YFC Rally, raised £1,577 and the awaiting their exam Ben, Andrew Groves where a ‘guess the name of the Raise and Give (RAG) results. Their van broke (assistant) and Ed teddy’ competition raised £158. committee at Harper down on the M6 on Caudwell. Visit the website: www.rabi.org.uk 17 It’s back to the 80s and 90s at Riseholme Meet the people behind the charity Just say cheese • Regional manager Georgina Lamb attended the International Cheese Awards in Nantwich in July. More than 5,000 different cheeses from all over the world were on display on show day and the sights (and smells) of more than 8,000 square feet full of cheese stalls was something to behold.

• A joint fundraiser for R.A.B.I and the Petworth & District Plouging Match Association raised £1,670. The money was split equally between the two charities.

• Despite rain, supporters in Montgomeryshire turned out in force to support a duck race. The College hosts reunion race was organised by Llanfair Caereinion YFC and proceeds of £800 will be split between the young farmers and R.A.B.I.

• Northallerton NFU in North Yorkshire raised £281.18 with a clay pigeon shoot.

• For the second year running a clay shoot was organised by the Essex committee at Forest Lodge, home of the Wreathall family. The event, supported by Kramp, attracted 119 guns and £1,533 was raised. Around 100 former students farm secretarial student money was handed over of Riseholme College, on Samantha Wade set up the by Mrs Wade and other the outskirts of Lincoln, Facebook page. former students to college • The Sturminster Newton enjoyed a reunion after a The event, which included chief executive and NFU Office raised £76 from Facebook campaign was a visit to the Riseholme principal, and trustee of donations for refreshments launched to bring them Park Campus and a tour R.A.B.I, Jeanette Dawson at the Gillingham and back together. and party at the new (right of picture). Next to Shaftesbury Show. The alumni, students in the Lincolnshire Showground, Jeanette is Lincolnshire 80s and 90s, gathered at was also used to raise committee chairman Hugh • More than £300 was the college after former £1,149 for R.A.B.I. The Wykes. collected for R.A.B.I at the Minsterley Show in August. Plants, books, bric-a-brac and toys were sold from Ace from Alan the charity’s stand, which Wonderful weather and won second prize in the a hole-in-one from Alan trade stand competition. Gibbons added some colour to the golf day at Headlam • R.A.B.I and the Hall in Durham in May. Ten Yorkshire Air Ambulance teams took part in a nine- were the supported hole competition with a charities at the Penistone shotgun start. Lunch was Show. Card sales at the also served during the event, show surpassed £280. which raised £1,150. 18 Wedding marquee used for Hereford ball

Carmarthenshire puts Downton Estate lot on back-to-back events • Two nights of fundraising in Carmarthenshire raised £835.20. sold off for £4,100 The Carmarthenshire committee held a whist drive at Cwrt Henri on Thursday Sarah Curtis-Wynne June 15, which was well attended. The and Sonia Owens following evening, a concert was held at (pictured), group Cothi Bridge Memorial Hall featuring Bois secretaries of Hereford y Gilfach, a group of male voice singers NFU, arranged a ball from Ceredigion. Arwel Davies (from Bois on July 8, by kind y Gilfach) compered the evening. permission of Mr and Mrs David Bishop. The marquee had previously been • Party animals, around 80 of them, used for the wedding could be found ‘rocking in the reception of the lambing shed’ at Dumfries Farm in Bishops’ daughter Zoe Denshaw, Oldham in June. The farm to Solomon McLeod shed was completely transformed and was kindly put by the Hackworth family and friends, to further use to with Huddersfield-based band Wired raise funds for the of promises. The tremendous amount of performing live. The event raised £1,118. Air Ambulance and top auction prize, a effort into organising R.A.B.I. Approximately day’s shooting on this event which raised • The golf day at Beedles Lake in 200 people gathered the Downton Estate in more than £12,000 Leicestershire brought in £1,365. The event for a night of fun, Ludlow, made £4,100, for the two charities. was supported by Rainbow International, food and dancing, and the ski chalet lot R.A.B.I’s share was who also provided the winning team. in addition to a raised £2,900. Sarah £6,110.75. Thanks to Sam Tingle from Ashby NFU for spectacular auction and Sonia put a Photo: Eileen Cowles helping to organise.

• A race night at Rhos yr Hafod, Cross William’s Driffield award Inn, in Ceredigion raised £964.50. The William Lamb years and helped event was arranged by the Ceredigion was presented coordinate committee. Volunteers were also out in with a Driffield Christmas hampers force at the Lampeter Show on August Agricultural in the county. He 11. Society long said: “Few things service award could have given • The Nottinghamshire committee for supporting me more pleasure arranged a tour of the Severn Trent Farm R.A.B.I for 40 years. than receiving Yard in Bulcote, which raised £380. William, pictured that award from with wife Jill, was the Driffield • A Sunday lunch at Woodlands, East Yorkshire Agricultural Bryncrug, organised by the Merionethshire committee Society. I am committee, brought in £418.10. chairman for 26 delighted.” Strong charity presence at the Royal Welsh Show Chairman Malcolm Thomas the Royal Welsh Show, and former Welsh regional representing R.A.B.I in a panel manager Erys Hughes were discussion at the Farmers interviewed by Countryfile Union of Wales Pavilion presenter Sean Fletcher at the entitled ‘Home Not Hospital Royal Welsh Show, ahead of a – Improving Care in Rural forthcoming three-part series Communities’. on Her Majesty The Queen’s Social Care Wales’s CEO love of agriculture. Erys met Sue Evans chaired the public Her Majesty at R.A.B.I’s stand discussion which also featured at the Royal Welsh Show back representatives from Powys in 2004. Council, the Powys Association Sean, front right, is pictured of Voluntary Organisations, with fellow crew members Care Forum Wales and the and R.A.B.I’s Linda Jones and EngAge 50+ Forum. Elonwy Williams (front left and centre) and Becky Davies • A daily hamper raffle at (back right). the Royal Welsh Show raised a Elonwy was also busy at total of £918. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/rabicharity 19 Efforts of Sleight family ‘inspiring’

Tractor run brings in £20k over 10 years ‘Chuffed to bits’ over pig roast • A pig roast at Cwm Country Club in Trawsmawr, Carmarthenshire generated profits of £3,119.50. Noel Morgan, Carmarthenshire joint county chair, said: “From the perspective of our committee, this was a special evening and I’d particularly like to thank Pro Stock Vets and local agricultural contractor Arwel Davies for supporting us on the night. We are chuffed to bits.” The East Riding YFC tractor 2015 won R.A.B.I’s Hunter Catherine and Jenny, have run has raised more than Farm Cup – given to the been very keen supporters • The Llandidloes tractor £20k for good causes over organisers of the event of R.A.B.I for many years run has raised thousands the past 10 years. that raises the most funds / and it has been truly of pounds for charities This year’s run brought awareness for the charity. inspiring working with over the years, with its together more than 100 However, now they are them.” annual outings across tractors from East Yorkshire stepping down. East Yorkshire YFC hope Powys. This year, the and raised £4,784 for The run started and to organise the tractor run group opted to support two chosen charities: the finished at the Sleight next year. R.A.B.I and more than Yorkshire Air Ambulance family farm near Etton. 80 tractors followed and R.A.B.I. A 30-mile journey a scenic route from The total raised included took in South Dalton, Champs again Llanidloes through to match funding of £2,000 Middleton-on-the-Wolds, Twelve teams took part in Trefeglwys. Thanks to from Barclays. North Dalton, Huggate, a quiz night at Aberaeron Mark and Lynne Baker The event was organised Warter, Nunburnholme, Rugby Club, which raised for organising the event, by R.A.B.I’s East Yorkshire Londesborough, £443.50. Last year’s winners Roche and Ceinwen committee member Jenny Market Weighton and Helen and John Hunt Davies for hosting the Jenkinson, with the help of Goodmanham. triumphed again, this time midway refreshments and parents John and Margaret R.A.B.I regional manager alongside Steve Hunt, Pat the R.A.B.I committee Sleight and sister Catherine for the North East, Sally Slotboom and Gwilym in Montgomeryshire for Walton. The family has Conner, said: “John and Williams. They all agreed to serving drinks and snacks. organised the tractor run Margaret Sleight, together donate their prize money The tractor run raised together since 2008 and in with their daughters back to R.A.B.I. more than £1,200.

• A first for the Essex committee this year was a summer solstice event Longhorn on the scales! at the Great Lodge Vineyards in Bradfield. Trustee John Stanley Generous support from and his wife Pat held a Savills and Fisher Michael pork and beef roast for helped boost the sum around 90 guests at their raised to £1,674. farm near Coalville in The Essex committee’s Leicestershire. charity horse ride also A ribbon was tied around raised £1,113. Thanks to one of the cows in an Marriages for their support adjoining field and guests of this event, which were invited to guess its allowed entrants to walk, weight (1,050kg). The ride, canter or gallop over longhorn cow was walked 12 miles of farmland. around the yard while people ate so they could have a closer inspection. • Card and calendar A wonderful evening sales at the two-day raised £2,165. Thame Sheep Fair in Pictured left to right are August brought in £129.22. James Orme (trustee), Veronica Sutton • A Northamptonshire (Leicestershire committee) summer party raised and John Stanley. £1,200.

20 Jelly with a kick provides the perfect tonic

Society tickets Midsummer’s night Stepping out in style with • Thanks to the Cheshire On a glorious midsummer’s Agricultural Society evening, 75 guests gathered at some Fab Feet collections and the Westmorland the Rathfinny Wine Estate near Agricultural Society for Alfriston in East Sussex for a private generously providing free tour, followed by an opportunity to show tickets for people sample the first of many bottles off R.A.B.I helps in their the production line! regions. Rathfinny operations manager Richard James gave a thought- provoking talk on the history of the • Karen Yates, from the estate, bought by the Driver family NFU Glamorgan county in 2010. Together, they are part branch, presented way through planting 700,000 vines a cheque for £1,000 which will generate up to a million Buckley Farm in awaited on arrival to Malcolm Thomas bottles of wine each year. New Maesbury, Oswestry (courtesy of JT Hughes) following the branch’s cellars are also being built with was the venue for a and a two-course meal Sunday lunch event, prior the capacity to store four million fashion show, which was also served. Jeni to the Vale of Glamorgan bottles. saw around 200 ladies Pearce, of Out of Town/ Show. NFU Cymru’s Hill R.A.B.I trustee John Stanley gather in a beautiful Fab Feet, supplied Farming Committee also attended and spoke to fellow marquee on a warm many collections, presented a cheque for guests about the charity’s work. June day. The event, with models showing £150 to Malcolm. Thanks to Andrew Samuel and which raised an off a huge array of his team at Samuel & Son for impressive £3,905.60, dresses, tops, trousers, • The Merionethshire organising this event and to Lloyds was hosted by Malcolm handbags, fascinators, committee attended the Bank, Mayo Wynne Baxter Solicitors and Anne Roberts. hats and shoes. Jeni county show at Tywyn and Knill James Chartered Anne is chair of the also donated a £250 and raised £171 by Accountants for their continued Shropshire committee. voucher for a raffle holding a raffle. support. A glass of Prosecco prize.

• An open farm Sunday fundraiser at Guiting Power in Gloucestershire Grab the gin, we’re on a picnic raised £146.92. A The East Yorkshire Guiting Farms collection committee held generated a further a G&T picnic at £181.25. Broomhill Farm in Great Hatfield, Hull, • Sentry is committed to which raised £1,200. supporting R.A.B.I and the The gin tasting company’s bi-annual clay proved popular and shoot in Cambridgeshire picnic boxes were raised £1,773. The shoot put on every table, was enjoyed by 15 teams including a pudding of four. Thanks to Nat of gin and tonic West and NFU Mutual for jelly with lemon ice providing the trophies. cream. Having a steak in this Tea on the farm with Pembrokeshire Ladies year’s Truck Festival Bill and Liz Reed laid on Together with his wife Georgia, afternoon trustee Richard Binning cooked tea at their up a storm once again at Upper Scolton this year’s Truck Festival in Farm in Spittal Oxfordshire. With a merry band to bring in of dedicated volunteers assisting, £833.74. The the sum of £3,584 was raised for event – the R.A.B.I. Rain and mud presented first of the challenges to the team but with year for the bags of enthusiasm and plenty Pembrokeshire of smiles they were able to keep Ladies customers happy and raise a (pictured), significant amount of money. who raised The event also championed more than a social media competition £11k last #steakaselfie, in which people year – was a were asked to take selfies with complete their steak sandwich. sell-out. For enquiries about welfare call the Freephone Helpline: 0808 281 9490 21 £15k cheques presented in Somerset £1k from Weston & Banwell YFC Ellingham card sales high Thanks to Card sales helped Weston & bring in £170 from Banwell YFC for a great day at the their donation Ellingham Show in of £1,000. Hampshire. The rain Members of stayed away as the the club are R.A.B.I team also pictured with arranged colouring in R.A.B.I regional of cloth bags. Pictured manager for with her bag is the South West, five-year-old Natasha Pam Wills. Humphreys. Forde Abbey is backdrop Clarissa will be missed for fantastic summer fair

DORSET DELIGHT: Members of the Dorset committee attended a cheque Former East Sussex committee presentation at Forde Abbey on September 6. Left to right, Julian Kennard, chairman Clarissa Hallings-Pott sadly Tessa Eames (representing RDA), Peter Gray, Susan Hooper, Tim Frost, Nigel died on July 29, aged 69. Clarissa Bond (representing Mole Valley Farmers, who supported the event), Hugh quilted the standard for R.A.B.I’s 150th Archer (Dorset committee chairman). anniversary in 2010 and she received The ever-popular Forde opened its doors to Jonathan Marshall’s a R.A.B.I award from Lord Plumb the Abbey Summer Fair a colourful array of display of falconry same year, in dedication of her ‘loyal raised an incredible trade stalls, horticultural on horseback. R.A.B.I work and enthusiasm in fundraising’. £15k for R.A.B,I, as displays, funfair rides regional manager, well as £15k for the and live bands. More Pam Wills, said: “I’d like Riding for the Disabled than 150 vintage to thank the Kennard In family for a century Association (RDA). cars gathered in one and Roper families for A farm tour in Worcestershire raised The former Cistercian section of the abbey hosting this event and £479.41. Sixty guests were invited monastery, which is set grounds, while another for kindly thinking of us to Norchard Farm in Stourport-on- in grounds near Chard, major attraction was again.” Severn, where they met farm owners Paul and Mike Southall. The Southall family has run the Steam rally organised near Ringwood vegetable farm for more than a century and it is now in the hands Lower Kingston the bar whilst of fourth generation brothers Paul Farm near visitors relaxed and Mike. The duo took the guests Ringwood was to three bands, on a tour of their impressive growing the venue for courtesy of the fields. They answered questions and a steam and Christchurch- explained how the small vegetable vintage vehicle based business had grown into what it is rally, organised Lighthouse today. After the tour, visitors were by the Avon Youth Project. invited back to Charlton Farm in Valley Young The event Hartlebury, near Kidderminster, home Farmers’ Club. ran well into of committee members James and In the evening the evening Debbie Bakewell. The superb spread the club took to generate laid on was appreciated by all. charge of around £1,200. 22 1966 gold sovereign found in collection tin Clun members sing...while shepherds watch! Clun YFC invited regional manager Kate Jones to speak to members in August. Kate, pictured fourth from left, was also presented with a cheque for £522. Funds were raised through two nights of carol singing in 2016.

Exlusive peek around Glendale’s golden find Waddesdon Manor The people of Northumberland Supporters in Buckinghamshire showed their support for were given an exclusive tour of R.A.B.I by contributing so the Waddesdon Manor Estate in much to a Glendale Show Aylesbury on July 13. The event wheelbarrow raffle that it raised £855. raised £400. Christmas card / Waddesdon Manor was built by calendar sales at the Wooler Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild show generated a further £250 between 1874 and 1885 to display – whilst a collection tin threw his collections of art. up another major surprise, a Today, it is managed by the rare 1966 gold sovereign worth Rothschild Foundation, a family around £250! charitable trust, on behalf of the Regional manager Sally National Trust. It’s still home to the Conner could scarcely believe Rothschild collections of paintings, her eyes, when she emptied sculpture and decorative arts the tin and an unusual, gold including incredible artefacts such shiny coin dropped out as a desk made for Queen in front of her. She said: “I Marie-Antoinette. looked online to find out the The fundraiser was organised by coin’s value and couldn’t R.A.B.I’s Buckinghamshire committee quite believe it. I took it to and the tour also took in the estate’s an antiques dealer to get it farm and forestry land, stud and verified. It’s a conundrum, who manor gardens. Sixty-two people put it in our tin? attended, enjoying a barbecue “It would be nice to thank with produce supplied by Boarstall them in person for such an Meats. extremely generous gesture.” Sally is pictured with the sovereign. Sizzling summertime The Summer Sizzler at Masham Town Hall was well attended on a 36 golf teams do battle in Driffield beautiful summer’s evening and the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service A golf day winning ladies’ team Band performed a wide variety of at Driffield (76 points). The victors pieces including military classics Golf Club were presented with and pop favourites. The band now attracted the Lamplough Shield has an international following and 36 teams by Derek and Mary has toured Belgium, Poland and and there Lamplough who set up Canada in recent years. The event was some this annual tournament. was organised by Matthew Costello, very decent Thanks to Biotal for whose parents own a bakery in scoring in fine supporting. Driffield. When R.A.B.I celebrated its weather. The Pictured are Mary 150th anniversary in 2010 Matthew’s day raised & Co, who finished Lamplough, Dave mother made a sheaf of wheat out around £5,000. Winning three points ahead of Lockwood, Derek of bread to take to the altar at an out with 92 points was Crawford & Co. Anna Lamplough, and Chris anniversary thanksgiving service at the team from Bradbury Richardson led the Wilson. Ripon Cathedral. Visit the website: www.rabi.org.uk 23 Diary Dates Regional Managers NORTH EAST – SALLY CONNER September November (continued) North Yorkshire, County Durham, 25 Nidderdale Show, North Yorkshire 13 Meet the chairman event, RAU, Cirencester Northumberland, East Yorkshire 26 Go Karting Challenge, Daventry 13 Whist drive, Otterham, Cornwall Mobile: 07818 093506 27 East Kent ploughing match 15 Bingo night, Carmarthen Livestock Centre Tel: 01964 541400 29 Fall into Autumn ladies evening, Durham 15 Brewery tour, Leicestershire Email: [email protected] 29 Stow Ag open day 17 South East Prime Fatstock Show, Ardingly Twitter.com/rabinortheast 29 Carmarthenshire harvest supper 18 Hampshire quiz, Bishops Waltham 30 Gransden Show, Cambridgeshire 18 Cornish Winter Fair, Wadebridge NORTH WEST – GEORGINA LAMB 30 Parlour racing night, Chepstow Racecourse 18-19 English Winter Fair, Staffordshire Cumbria, Lancashire, South 30 Masham Sheep Fair, North Yorks 21 Farmhouse Breakfast, Sam Turner’s, Durham & West Yorkshire, Merseyside, 30 FFF&B ploughing match, Gloucestershire 22 Manson House Xmas Fayre, Suffolk Cheshire 30 Winchester harvest weekend 24 Brecon & Radnor concert, Talgarth Mobile: 07917 114250 27 Panel night, Royal Welsh Showground Email: [email protected] October 27-28 Winter Fair, Royal Welsh Showground Twitter.com/rabinorthwest 1 Masham Sheep Fair, North Yorks (cont’d) 28 Salisbury Market Christmas show 1 Winchester harvest weekend (cont’d) 29 Thame Fatstock Show 1 Essex harvest festival, Chelmsford 29-30 Angel Fair, Peterborough EAST MIDLANDS – MARY MARTIN 4-5 Shopping Extravaganza, Durham 29-30 Carmarthenshire Christmas Mart raffle Lincolnshire, Rutland, 5 Antiques preview, Beeston, Cheshire 30 Christmas quiz, Halewood, Merseyside Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, 6 Devon mouse racing, Zeal Monachorum Derbyshire, Northamptonshire 7 Sing for Life, Samlesbury, Lancashire December Mobile: 07525 323450 7 Bedfordshire YFC ploughing match 1 Farmhouse Breakfast, Sam Turner’s, Durham Email: [email protected] 8 Book Fair, Bedale, North Yorkshire 1 Carol evening, Hailsham Market Twitter.com/rabieastmids 8 Bury St Edmunds harvest festival 1 Carmarthenshire Christmas Mart raffle 8 East of England Autumn Fair 1-2 Winter Stock Fair 8 Harvest lunch, St Genny’s, Cornwall 2 Suffolk Wassail WEST MIDLANDS – KATE JONES 11 Merionethshire floral art demo, Powys 2 Holsworthy Christmas market Staffordshire, Shropshire, 14 Kent harvest supper, Ashford 2 Orchestra concert, Maidstone Worcestershire, Herefordshire 14 Clwyd café event, Cilcain Village Hall 3 Carol service, Welshpool Livestock Market Mobile: 07876 492839 14-15 Ely harvest festival 4 Carols at Christmas, Masham, North Yorks Email: [email protected] 14-15 British Ploughing Champs, Somerset 4 Winslow Fatstock show & sale Twitter.com/rabiwestmids 18 Bingo night, Carmarthen Livestock Centre 4 South West Winter Fair, Sedgemoor 18 West Yorkshire pub quiz 4 Carol service, Ruthin Livestock Market NORTH WALES & WARWICKSHIRE 19 Royal Norfolk Ag Association breakfast 4 Cheshire pub quiz – BECKY DAVIES 20 Ceredigion Welsh beef dinner, Llanarth 5 Carol evening, Ashford Market Anglesey, Caernarfon, Conwy, 21 Suffolk quiz night, Hintlesham 5 Stanfords Christmas livestock market Clwyd, Montgomeryshire, 21-22 Countryside Live, Harrogate, North Yorkshire 5 Carols, Fatstock Show, Melton Mowbray Warwickshire 22 Sunday lunch, Montgomeryshire 6 Christmas concert, Salisbury Market Mobile: 07730 765377 24 Welsh Dairy Show, Carmarthen 6 Christmas quiz, Wirral, Merseyside Email: [email protected] 26 Pea & pie supper, Whiston, Staffs 7 Carols at Christmas, Thame Market Twitter.com/RABINWalesWarks 27 Brecon & Radnor quiz, Glasbury 7 Carol service, York Mart 28 Welly Week coffee morning, Caersws 7 Carol evening, Isle of Wight 7 Cirencester Primestock sale WALES – LINDA JONES November 7-8 Carol concerts, Wigton Auction Mart Brecon & Radnor, 1 Joules seconds clothing sale, Northampton 8 Christmas draw supper, Shrewsbury Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, 3 Welly Walk, Anglesey 10 Advent afternoon tea, East Yorkshire Pembrokeshire, Glamorgan, 4 Hot Dogs, Beer and Rustic Roots, Napton 10 Ceredigion carol service, Llanerchaeron Merionethshire, Monmouthshire 5 Bonfire ball, Cumbria 11 Carol concert, Cockermouth Auction Mart Mobile: 07557 363016 7 Thrings autumn seminar, RAU, Cirencester 13 Carol concert, Gisburn Auction Mart Tel: 01559 364850 8 Agrifest, Westpoint, Exeter 14 Pembrokeshire bingo, Haverfordwest Email: [email protected] 10 Worcestershire dinner, county cricket club 14 Winter drinks, Lamport Hall, Northants Twitter.com/rabicymru_wales 11 Strictly Come Dancing, Harrogate 15 Carol evening, Petworth, West Sussex SOUTH CENTRAL – JENNI GREEN Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire Once a farmer, always a farmer Mobile: 07919 478518 Tel: 01935 826726 Email: [email protected] Twitter.com/JenniRABI R.A.B.I supports people of all ages, providing EAST – LUCY BELLEFONTAINE financial support when Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire you need it most. Mobile: 07739 297374 You don’t have to be Tel: 01728 602888 working, we help the Email: lucy.bellefontaine@rabi. elderly, sick and org.uk disabled too. Twitter.com/rabieast

SOUTH EAST – SALLY FIELD Hampshire, IOW, Berkshire, Surrey, Call our Freephone Sussex, Kent Mobile: 07799 798441 Helpline 0808 281 9490 Tel: 01903 882741 Email: [email protected] Twitter.com/RABISouthEast

SOUTH WEST – PAM WILLS Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset Mobile: 07825 336224 Tel: 01398 361819 Email: [email protected] Twitter.com/PamRABI

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