. . . R A B I newsWINTER 2014 THE MAGAZINE OF THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION

Charity and the welfare state Page 4 Harvest festival thanks Page 11

SUPPORTING FARMING FAMILIES WWW.RABI.ORG.UK From the chairman After an incredibly mild autumn for most of us, winter did eventually arrive and thoughts turned to all those events that our wonderful county groups In this edition do so well, raising funds, awareness and hopefully spirits! The social, community aspect of such gatherings make them such fun for all involved but also highlights the fact that many of those we aim to assist often suffer from isolation and a feeling of living outside the sort of lives that many of us take National news for granted. The idyllic rural life is not always as wonderful as it Pages 3 - 7 might appear, and our hard-working welfare team constantly see how the realities of often remote surroundings impact, especially when funds are in short supply. During a recent visit to Australia, I heard how similar issues for far-flung communities there were also causing great concern. Thankfully a better understanding - and openness - about mental Feature - The gift of life health and other resultant issues bodes well for the future, although sadly, the equivalent of R.A.B.I. Pages 8 - 9 does not exist ‘down under’ and we should think ourselves lucky that previous generations had the foresight to create this incredible organisation. Closer to home, Welly Week has again proved a great success and provided much scope for novel fundraising opportunities. The Christmas season will no doubt also stimulate much innovative Regional news event planning, although as the time of family festivities and fun approaches, please spare a Pages 12 - 19 thought for those whose circumstances allow for little celebration. The purchase of some of our Christmas cards will help them as well as spread the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution word of our existence to an ever wider audience. We are a welfare charity which helps farming people in Please also turn to page 5 for last-minute ideas for financial difficulty. Every year we support around 2,000 gifts which will also benefit R.A.B.I.. individuals and families and give more than £2 million in grants. We also offer practical help and always work in confidence, On behalf of all the R.A.B.I. team, and of course with compassion and discretion. those we aim to help, sincere thanks for your wonderful support. We could not do it without you! Registered office: Shaw House, 27 West Way, Oxford OX2 0QH Freephone helpline: 0300 303 7373 General enquiries: 01865 724931 Fax: 01865 202025 Email: [email protected] Website: www.rabi.org.uk Twitter: www.twitter.com/rabicharity Facebook: www.facebook.com/rabicharity1 Registered charity number 208858 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 Philippa Spackman, telephone 01865 811581, email [email protected] Cover picture: Harvest Festival at Oxford’s Christ Church Cathedral

2 Nati nal news Christmas hampers show that people care Every year R.A.B.I. gives the people we support long-term a Christmas hamper and we know from the thank you letters we receive how much they are appreciated. The hampers cost around £44,000 a year to provide and we run a dedicated campaign to fund them. On behalf of the hundreds of people who receive them, thank you to everyone who has donated to this year’s appeal, many of whom do so year after year. One retired farmer who wishes to remain anonymous said: “I’m fortunate to have my family around me, but Christmas can be a lonely time, and if you have financial worries, it’s even worse. Buying a hamper is a simple way to show that other people care.” The hampers contain store cupboard essentials with a few treats. According to people’s wishes, they are either sent directly from the Leeds-based company which produces them, Festival Foods, or delivered in person by an R.A.B.I. volunteer. Many volunteer members of the delivery team have been delivering hampers for years. We think the record holders Mary Passmore has been organising the delivery of R.A.B.I.’s are Mary Passmore from West Sussex, followed closely Christmas hampers in West Sussex for more than 40 years. by Anthony Jepps from Wiltshire, who have both been She is pictured above with regional manager Sally Field who delivering hampers for more than 40 years. However, Arthur presented her with a bouquet to mark her long service Gee in Cambridgeshire, David Netherclift in Kent, Sally Longstanding R.A.B.I. supporter David Netherclift has had his Mitchell in , Jill Themans in Shropshire, and June Toplis dedication to the charity, including his work in delivering Christmas and Irene Pickering in Yorkshire have also been spreading hampers, recognised by the Edenbridge Oxted Redhill & Christmas cheer for more than 25 years. Sevenoaks NFU, which presented him with the Peter Deeley award in October. Mrs Passmore, who is 94, is now helped by her daughter Jenny. “Helping with R.A.B.I. is just part of life and the David, who lives in Surrey, became an NFU secretary in Kent in hampers are part of Christmas,” she said. “People are so 1967. He inherited the position of secretary of the county’s R.A.B.I. grateful to receive a hamper and terribly pleased to see us. committee and continued in the role after he retired from the NFU It’s the least we can do.” in 1992. Now treasurer, his 47 years’ service makes him R.A.B.I.’s longest serving committee member. Mr Jepps started delivering hampers in 1974 when he moved to the NFU’s Swindon agency. “It’s only one day a year, but if There is still time to donate to the 2014 Christmas hamper ever I couldn’t do it I’d really miss it. I enjoy seeing people and campaign! Please call the fundraising team on 01865 724931 having a chat. Over the years you build up a relationship.” or download a form from the website www.rabi.org.uk Tom Byles

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Tom Byles, former trustee and former chairman of the Cornwall committee, who had also delivered Christmas hampers to beneficiaries for more than 20 years. Tom was for many people the face of R.A.B.I. in Cornwall. Ill health eventually forced him to step down from the committee, but he never stopped fundraising for the charity. Chief executive Paul Burrows said: “Tom was a kind, remarkable and much-loved man, a farmer through and Tom is pictured with his wife Yvonne being presented with a Dick Twinney (centre) print to mark his retirement by chief through, who will be deeply missed by everyone who knew executive Paul Burrows (left) and chairman Chris Riddle (right) him. Our thoughts remain with Yvonne and his family.”

HELPLINE 0300 303 7373 3 Charities and the welfare state Grocers and journalists have them, “In R.A.B.I.’s case we help low-income architects, solicitors and musicians, as farmers and farm-workers, together well as farmers, but what is the role of a with their families. benevolent organisation in the modern welfare state? “We help some people long-term, with a package of support which includes There are more than 200 occupational a quarterly grant, and others short-term charities in the UK today. Many, like when need arises. For example, we R.A.B.I. was founded in 1860 by John R.A.B.I., date back to Victorian times may pay for temporary farm labour for Joseph Mechi. and are as busy now as when they someone who has an accident, or buy Mechi made a fortune manufacturing were founded. a motorised scooter or wheelchair for scientific instruments and razors and someone who is disabled. “Benevolence is an old-fashioned word then established a model farm at but there’s nothing dated about what “We can also help with hospital travel Tiptree in to demonstrate how new machinery, methods and ideas we do - times change, but needs don’t,” costs, pay for household adaptations could help feed a growing population. explained chief executive Paul Burrows. for disabled and elderly people, and help with outstanding domestic bills. Concerned about the plight of other “People can get into financial difficulty farmers, many of whom faced poverty, through no fault of their own, for “Sometimes we provide for people’s he founded R.A.B.I. after gathering example as a result of unexpected most basic needs by supplying food support for his initiative by writing to events such as accident or illness, vouchers for families in extreme ‘The Times’. bereavement or family breakdown, or difficulty. At other times we help simply because they cannot manage people help themselves by paying Our language today is different, but on a low income or state pension. for training so that they can turn the our work remains true to Mechi’s knowledge they probably already vision that we should “help those “Occupational charities help people who are helpless, comfort those who have into certified skills which can be who are currently employed in their are comfortless, support the aged, used to find additional work off farm. sector or have worked in it in the past. shelter the homeless, and befriend the Our work complements rather than “The support we give varies according innocent and unprotected orphans”. replaces the role of the state. to an individual’s needs and in an emergency can usually be given “Not only do we guide people towards within 24 hours – something the state is the state benefits they are entitled to, “Our work complements unable to do. we can spend more time on individual rather than replaces the problems than public sector officials, “We do a lot more than people think, and help with financial difficulties the for people of all ages, and all of it in role of the state” state cannot deal with. strict confidence.” TV programme looks at the growing problem of loneliness Tune in to BBC One for a daily series beginning on 15 December and you may recognise some R.A.B.I. faces. Fronted by chef James Martin, ‘Meet the Street’ brings local communities together to look at the growing issue of loneliness. In each of five daily programmes a celebrity will go back to his or her roots to find out who lives there now and what life is like in 2014. R.A.B.I. was asked to help with the series as the programme filmed in Cumbria is presented by Helen Skelton, the former ‘Blue Peter’ and current ‘Countryfile’ presenter who grew up on a farm in Kirkby Thore. The day ended with a gathering in the village hall, where R.A.B.I. Cumbria chairman Pat Turnbull, committee member Laura Wilson, regional manager Georgina Lamb and welfare officer Jackie Clegg spoke to James Martin about our work. Jackie said: “R.A.B.I. knows how isolation, particularly when it’s coupled with worry, can lead to severe depression, and in some cases tragedy. I know from my visits that many farmers live under immense pressure and that just having someone to talk to can help. The farming community is very proud, and stoic. It also has an amazing sense of fraternity. Most people only need a vague awareness that someone is in need and they are there to help.” ‘Meet the Street’ is due to be broadcast on BBC One at Cumbria chairman Pat Turnbull (left) and committee member 9.15am every day between 15 and 19 December. Laura Wilson (right) with celebrity chef James Martin 4 NATIONAL NEWS Christmas presents that also benefit R.A.B.I. Wondering what to buy the person who has everything for Christmas? How about a sheep trekking in the Brecon Beacons experience day from which the organisers will make a 5% donation to R.A.B.I.? Other experience days include sheep shearing and felt making. The unique sheep trekking opportunity at Aberhyddnant Organic Farm is marketed by the Good Day Out company which specialises in promoting experience days with a difference. R.A.B.I.’s deputy chairman Malcolm Thomas (pictured right with TV presenter Dafydd Wyn Rees) tried sheep trekking for himself, followed by a television crew from Welsh language TV channel S4/C which featured an item on the enterprise for its nightly magazine programme ‘Heno’. Malcolm said: “It was one of the most unusual things I have done as a trustee, but it was a great experience and I’d like to thank the organisers for their generosity in making a donation to R.A.B.I. from the experience days they sell.” To find out more go to www.gooddayout.co.uk

Retired solicitor Geoff Tomlinson, who R.A.B.I.’s Farming in Focus calendar is has written a book called ‘A Farmer’s always a popular gift but be quick, as Lad’ about his life in a rural practice in copies are going fast! Available in two the north-west of , is generously formats, the wall calendar, which has donating all proceeds from printed and space for notes alongside dates, costs electronic sales to R.A.B.I.. £7.50, and the smaller desk calendar costs £4. Geoff has already raised hundreds of pounds from the book’s sale, including The stunning photographs have all £900 raised at a Sunday lunch at The been kindly donated by photographer Crofters in Garstang, Lancashire. members of the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists. Production “The book has taken me two years costs have been generously supported to put together, but I’ve thoroughly by the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust and enjoyed the process,” said Geoff, as a result all proceeds from sales go (pictured below right with R.A.B.I. directly to help people in need. chairman Chris Riddle). Contact the orderline on 01268 888063. “It began its life as hand-written scribbles on note pads and I was Last but not least, as mentioned in the surprised at how many events during last ‘R.A.B.I. News’, Festival Foods, the my life I could remember clearly. company which produces hampers for Stories and anecdotes dating back 40 our beneficiaries has hampers for sale years came flooding back and one for every occasion and the company ‘The Great Cornish Food Book’ is billed as memory simply triggered another.” has generously agreed to make a a ‘collection of recipes, tales and morsels donation to R.A.B.I. of 15% of the value A paper copy of the book from from the ocean, fields and clifftops of of every order. Amazon costs £9.86, the Kindle Cornwall to bring back memories of a electronic version costs £9.37, and the long hot summer’. To order telephone 0113 249 5191 recommended retail price in book quoting RABI14 or go online at www. Among the chefs included in the book, stores is £10.99. festivalhampers.co.uk Paul Ripley from The Mariners in Rock has contributed a wonderful recipe for grilled oregano and paprika stuffed sardines and Fiona Were from Mullion Cove Hotel has shared her secret ingredient for wild strawberry frozen nougat. Other delights to tempt the palate include hints for the perfect crab sandwich and a recipe for traditional Cornish splits. Published by Cornwall Food & Drink, an organisation which promotes local food and drink in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the book costs £17.99 and £1 from every sale will be shared between R.A.B.I. and the Fishermen’s Mission. Order online from www.greatcornishfood.co.uk

WEBSITE WWW.RABI.ORG.UK 5 What R.A.B.I. A ‘truly inspirational’ awards night means to me sssss North West regional manager Georgina Lamb was a guest at the British Farming Awards organised by the ‘Farmers Guardian’ in October and met speaker and Falklands War veteran Simon Weston (pictured left). Georgina said: “It was an amazing evening with so many people recognised for their work. “I was also very impressed by Simon’s stoicism. He was truly inspirational Emma Gibson is R.A.B.I.’s head of when talking about overcoming human resources and administration adversity and likened his trials and tribulations to those facing people who I have worked at R.A.B.I. for 13 years work in the agricultural industry.” and am still in awe of our dedicated staff. Proof of this is the very low rate of staff turnover. Generally we recruit around once a year to fill positions that are Show not tell! mainly vacant due to staff retiring R.A.B.I.’s accounts executive Stephen (some of whom are already way Carey thought he was going to past the official age!) and reluctantly Beaufort House in Burnham-on-Sea to deciding it’s time to hang up their help with a financial audit in October. wellies and take life at a gentler pace. But I am also proud of the way our However, staff at the residential home teams work. had other things in mind when he Our welfare team deliver the asked about how equipment like a services we provide in a caring and hoist is used to help residents. compassionate manner, going above Manager Sue Luck said: “I thought and beyond because they genuinely care about the people we help. that, rather than try to explain it, I would invite him to have a go so that Our fundraising and communications he could really experience what’s team make it possible for these involved. Stephen was game and the services to be available and are constantly coming up with new ways to care staff were delighted to assist!” raise funds. Stephen is pictured right being hoisted Our staff in the regions who are home- by Diane Long, Maggs Parsons and Liz based do not know what a 9-5 job is, Curtis, watched by Naomi Vowles. even our part-time staff work over and above their contracted hours. Then we have our teams at Manson Keeping up to date with employment law and Beaufort House who look after residents 24/7, 365 days of the year. R.A.B.I. exists to help farming people who employs staff will need a compliant The care they provide is of the highest in need by giving grants and welfare scheme and to make contributions into standard, non-intrusive and always support and caring for people in our their employees’ pension pots.” given with a smile and thoughtfulness. residential homes. Emma admits the process – and We are truly fortunate in our To achieve its aim the charity employs getting to know the jargon! – has been employees, which proves that R.A.B.I. around 100 full and part-time staff in complex. really is special. For a national charity addition to an army of fundraising providing the level of support we do, Emma said: “It’s taken months of volunteers in counties across England and making a difference to so many planning, preparation, frustration and and Wales. people, we have a very small team, sleepless nights to make sure R.A.B.I. both in the field and at head office. No Like all employers, R.A.B.I. has to comply was ready! Payroll processes had to one day is the same, and we are all jacks of all trades, getting involved in with regulations designed to protect be changed and administering the all aspects of our work. employees’ interests, the latest of which scheme is time consuming and requires is the ‘Automatic Enrolment Scheme’ team work between finance and HR – Like any employer, we have issues for personal pensions. thank goodness for our head of finance that need to be handled professionally Colin Cooper!” and sensitively, balancing what’s fair Head of human resources Emma and right for our employees whilst Gibson explained: “The new law means As a result, R.A.B.I. is now contributing protecting the charity. But I feel lucky that employers now have a legal to 93 employee’s pension pots. Emma to be in the position I am in. My job isn’t without stress, but it is made more obligation to contribute into a pension said: “Although we are not currently enjoyable by having colleagues (and scheme to help employees save for contributing vast amounts, this will friends) who are all working towards their retirement. We have been legally steadily increase over the years and the same outcome – helping those less bound to enrol our staff from 1 May this though it will add to R.A.B.I.’s salary fortunate than ourselves. year and by the end of 2017 anyone costs, it is good news for employees.” 6 NATIONAL NEWS Make time meaningful ‘Make time meaningful’ is the motto of the Olive Tree Theatre group which specialises in bringing music and memories to care home residents. Founded by Katerina and Ed Lee, the entertainers delighted an audience at Beaufort House in Burnham-on-Sea with their ‘Sound of Musicals’ show on their south west tour in August. Beaufort House’s manager Sue Luck said: “Muriel, our occupational therapist, organised the afternoon and did a wonderful job as usual. “Wendy Welland made us gorgeous scones, which we enjoyed with clotted cream and jam, sparkling wine flowed, and we had a raffle supported and drawn by businessman Richard Marsh, who came along to help. Staff, residents and tenants joined in, ensuring everyone had a lovely time.” Ed Lee is pictured serenading Sybill Rich and other residents at the Beaufort House summer party ‘A quite simply amazing charity’ Congratulations Social media is developing at an posts incorporating stories about YFCs Congratulations to East MIdlands’ incredible rate and every day and individual fundraisers. On Twitter regional manager Milly Wastie brings new surprises to R.A.B.I.’s our most popular tweets are a mixture who was a winner in the Inspiration Awards for Women in October communications team. or light-hearted and informative organised in support of Breakthrough postings. Not only does it provide an opportunity Breast Cancer. to engage with supporters new and And while 71% of Twitter posters are Milly, who is a former chairman of old, we recently had our first public male and 29% female, the gender the National Federation of Young thank you for having helped a farming story is reversed on Facebook which Farmers’ Clubs, was nominated for family. has 28% more female than male her commitment to the voluntary followers. sector and promoting British One man wrote on Twitter: “A quite agriculture. simply amazing charity who have To find out more follow us on Twitter floored my family and myself with their at @rabicharity and on Facebook uneblievable support recently.” at https://www.facebook.com/ rabicharity1 Many thanks for letting us and everyone else know! We’re pleased to have been able to help. For the record, as of November, we have 3,224 followers on Twitter and 941 likers on Facebook and the numbers are growing fast. On Facebook our ‘reach’ is highest for Staff at Beaufort House residential home in Burnham-on-Sea are pictured Harvest gifts for Beaufort House left receiving gifts from the harvest festival service at Greinton Parish Church which were delivered by Ann Meade (top left). Manager Sue Luck said: “We’re proud of our links with the local community and it’s very much appreciated that people remember us at harvest time, as so many of our residents have spent their lives working on the land. “Greinton have donated to us every year for as long as I have been here - 17 years! - and the residents are always delighted with all the home- made chutneys and jams, as well as the wonderful selection of home-grown vegetables. On their behalf I’d very much like to thank the church for its support.” WEBSITE WWW.RABI.ORG.UK 7 The gift of UK self-employment levels have never been higher and farming is in the top four self-employed occupations. But what happens when illness strikes? Philippa Spackman meets a couple who, a year after a life-saving kidney transplant, are looking to the future, thanks to a wife’s generosity, excellent medical care, careful management, and a little help from R.A.B.I.. You never know when serious illness can strike. It’s a blow for any family, but what happens when you’re self-employed? If you can’t work you can’t earn an income, and in difficult economic times few people have the savings to cope with such an emergency. Greg is a 47-year-old self-employed farm worker who lives with his wife Carol and their 17-year-old daughter. He has lived in the same village all his life and in that time worked for six or seven farmers within around 12 miles of home. He explained: “I’ve usually worked for two farmers at any one time, in dairy, beef and sheep. But there’s not as much farm work now, and more things like hedge-laying and drystone walling. “Small farmers are diversifying and restructuring so they don’t need the labour. Or they’re selling off the land separately from the house, which means that there’s a different sort of person coming into the countryside who doesn’t live here all the time but does need their place maintaining. It’s a different kind of work.” Carol helps Greg in the business and is also self-employed. “It’s obviously outdoor work in all weathers and if we can’t work there’s no pay. We have to buy materials upfront and we can’t guarantee we’ll be paid on the day, so it can be difficult to manage the family finances. But we’re together and it’s our way of life.” Greg has a hereditary kidney disease. His father died of the condition in 1973 aged 47. His uncle and grandfather also succumbed to the condition and two cousins now suffer from it too. He explained: “I didn’t realise I had inherited it until I had chicken pox when I was 32. The doctors monitored it from then on. “It only began to affect my work in recent years. I got terribly tired, I would fall asleep as soon as I got in from work Carol and Greg with their dog Bella and always looked very pale. There is no cure. Doctors because we live miles from the hospital so it would have began to speak about a transplant five years ago when I had had to be every night at home. It hurt me to see Greg started to really deteriorate and had just15% kidney function suffering. They found I could be a donor and we then had left, which was when they also put me on the transplant list.” two years of vigorous testing and preparation to make us as Greg expected to have to wait until a registered organ compatible as possible to reduce the risk of rejection.” donor passed away. Then Carol stepped in and offered to The couple knew that both being off work at the same time donate a kidney herself. would be difficult financially, as they would not be earning She said: “Even dialysis would have been a problem an income for several months. 8 FEATURE life Carol said: “We grow all our own veg and so I prepared by filling the freezer, making lots of chutneys and jams, and buying something to put away every time I did a shop. But we were still worried about how we would manage, especially with all the extra costs that being in hospital would bring. It was then that we heard about R.A.B.I..” After they contacted R.A.B.I. their welfare officer helped Greg and Carol to investigate and later apply for the state benefits they would be entitled to - £112 a week for all the family before tax. R.A.B.I. also agreed to help with household bills. The couple even managed to arrange the date for the operations when work was beginning to drop off at the end of last year! “Without R.A.B.I. it would have been Carol said: “We had our operations in November. We were extremely difficult and we’d have both back at home within a week, but we were off work got into debt from which we’d have for three months and it was a while longer before it was possible to do heavier work. struggled to recover” “Because of the nature of the operation Greg started to thank Carol enough for what she has done for me. I love her get better straight away but my body took much longer to pieces and wouldn’t be without her. to recover. We also had to go back to hospital for checks “I was six when Dad died. Back in the 1970s the medical twice a week. We couldn’t drive and there’s no public knowledge wasn’t there. He never had the chance that transport so even that would have been an expensive 60- I have, thanks to Carol and the medical team. Science is mile round trip taxi ride every time. developing all the time, so the future is a lot more positive. “Without R.A.B.I. it would have been extremely difficult and I’ll be on anti-rejection medication for the rest of my life, but we’d have got into a lot of debt, from which we’d have that’s a small price to pay.” struggled to recover. R.A.B.I. gave us a cushion to support Few people could match Carol’s generosity in donating us through the operations. It wasn’t just the offer of financial a kidney to Greg, but she sees things differently. Carol help but also the help with claiming state benefits and filling explained: “I see it as a selfish act on my part. I didn’t want in the forms.” to be without Greg – I couldn’t live without him – so for me Greg added: “It’s hard to ask for help – pride gets in the donating a kidney was helping me as much as him. The way. But I’d say to anyone in the same situation pick up the operation has given us both a future and the future now phone. With R.A.B.I.’s help we’re now back on our feet.” looks like forever. One year on, Carol, Greg and their family are looking “We’d really like to thank R.A.B.I. for all the help and support forward to spending Christmas together. Greg said: “I can’t we’ve had. Without it life would have been a lot harder.”

Greg was fortunate that Carol was willing to donate an organ and was also a suitable donor match. Other people on the transplant list have to wait until an anonymous donor passes away. Greg said: “I’d like to ask everyone to think about joining the organ donor register and to tell their family. It’s the greatest gift - one person can give so many others the chance of life.” According to the NHS, around 5,000 people each year in the UK die in circumstances where they can become a donor. To find out more about how to join the Organ Donor Register and how to tell your family about your decision please see http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk or telephone 0300 123 23 23. HELPLINE 0300 303 7373 9 Regi nal News

R.A.B.I. has 50 county committees in England and Wales which work at local level to raise awareness of our work, as well as funds. We are very grateful for their support and the help we receive from other groups such as the YFC, NFU and FUW, in addition to the many companies and individuals who also support us. Here are some stories which offer a snapshot of their activities this autumn. For more stories and photographs see www.rabi.org.uk Show season round-up R.A.B.I. attended more than 70 agricultural shows across England and Wales this year. At some we had a dedicated stand, often free of charge thanks to show committees allowing us free space in recognition of our work with the farming community. Show committees also continued to raise funds for us, for example Turnditch and Windley Show in Derbyshire generously donated £500 and the organisers of the Prengwyn Show in Ceredigion made us show charity, donating a wonderful £2,000. At other events such as the Moreton in Marsh Show in and the Penistone Show in South Yorkshire the NFU kindly allowed us to share their exhibition stand and / or raised funds on our behalf, for example by selling or asking for donations for refreshments. Johnny Ball, who organises the NFU’s ‘Let’s Talk Farming’ roadshow around the country even wrote a poem for us at the New Forest Show! And the NFU president’s wife Hilary Raymond helped committee members at Pembrokeshire Show where a raffle organised by the show president’s lady, Margaret Young, raised £1,300. Corporate supporters and businesses also helped us to raise funds. Expert butchery and cooking skills from chef and food writer Mark Hix and butcher Phil Frampton wowed the crowd at the Melplash Show in Dorset, helping to raise £300, and thanks to generous match-funding from Barclays agricultural team, we raised £1,600 at the Arlesford Show in Hampshire. Blakesley Show in Northamptonshire was a bumper event for R.A.B.I.. The show society donated free advertising space, Bletsoes solicitors hosted a cream tea, and Brethertons solicitors a hog roast. In addition Brown & Co and Arnold Thomson promoted our work on their stands, and Heygates Country Feeds ran a prize draw for us. Last but not least, John Deere dealers Farol Ltd allowed us to share their stand at the Thame Show and helped to promote Welly Week. Regional managers continue to come up with new ways to attract attention. £1,000 was raised from R.A.B.I. being ‘penned in’ at the Masham Sheep Fair in and the R.A.B.I. scarecrow attracted much attention at the Ellingham Show. Christmas cards are also a big draw. Even (Clockwise from top left) Gloucestershire committee member on one of the hottest days of the year regional manager Sally Tanya Robbins at Moreton in Marsh Show; the NFU’s Johnny Conner and regional welfare officer Tom Armstrong raised Ball at the New Forest Show; the Farol Team - Richard Denham, £400 from sales at Glendale Show in Northumberland! Geoff Thompson, John Bennets, Peter Helps and Aaron Hamilton As ever, we are very grateful for all the support we receive to - at Thame Show; tempting cakes at Prengwyn Show; and help us raise awareness of the help we can give to farming Pembrokeshire committee member Rosemary Rees (right) with families in need and to raise funds. NFU president’s wife Hilary Raymond at Pembrokeshire Show

10 REGIONAL NEWS Harvest thanks Many thanks to the many churches and communities which held harvest events and collections to raise money for R.A.B.I. this autumn. Oxford’s Christ Church Cathedral in the diocese of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire held its first harvest festival in living memory in September and aimed to raise awareness of what it is to be a farmer in today’s world. The service included an interview with R.A.B.I. trustee William Cumber. Canterbury Cathedral continued its tradition of supporting both R.A.B.I. and FCN at its harvest festival in October. Attracting around 450 people, the service was attended by Kent committee chairman Charles Tassell and raised more than £1,000 from its collection. Winchester Cathedral held its harvest festival too in October and R.A.B.I. was grateful to be the charity to benefit from the collection. The cathedral hosts a exhibition Pictured at Whetstone Pastures above (left to right) of food and farming over the weekend and members of Leicestershire committee members and chairman Pat Bailey, the Hampshire committee helped to raise awareness of Kath Harrison and Veronica Sutton, trustee Malcolm Thomas, our work by having a stand. The service was attended committee member Sandra Herbert and regional manager by trustee Chris D’Olley who was interviewed by ITV Milly Wastie (picture courtesy of John Cullinan) newscaster Alastair Stewart. Pastures near Leicester in September. Guests also enjoyed In other parts of the country, for example, Truro, Chelmsford a tour of the farmyard and took home spring bulbs to plant and Wells, R.A.B.I. was also fortunate to be the recipient of after a harvest service. money raised at harvest services arranged by county YFC Around 100 people attended the Carmarthenshire groups. committee’s harvest feast at Carmarthen Livestock Centre The Benedictine monks at Quarr Abbey on the Isle of Wight in September. A fantastic £1,692 was raised from ticket sales, have held a service in aid of R.A.B.I. every year since and a raffle and auction. the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001. This year’s harvest Last but not least, singer Geraint Roberts and pianist Alwena thanksgiving service in September raised more than £180. Morgan made the Merionethshire’s committee’s harvest Straw bales took the place of church pews at an supper an evening to remember in September. The event alternative harvest festival held on the farm at Whetsone raised £800. Time for a cream tea - at any time of the year! R.A.B.I.’s Cream Tea campaign is a movable feast and this year’s long, hot summer meant that events were still being held in September. The Derbyshire committee gave Mary Berry a run for her money with a cream tea at Casterne Hall near Ashbourne, by kind permission of Charles and Caroline Hurt. As well as enjoying a delicious spread of home-made cakes and scones, guests could explore the house and gardens made famous in films such as ‘Jane Eyre’ and ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’. The event was sponsored by Prescient Power and thanks to the sale of Christmas cards and tombola tickets raised £750. Warwickshire committee chairman Helen Moore (second from left) with volunteers Gillian Cockburn, Shirley Taylor, Hettie McCurdie and Lucy Taylor at Sadly didn’t shine for Wren Hall Warwickshire committee’s cream tea event in Clarissa and Nick Hallings- Finally, well done to Helen Withers and in August at Wren Hall in Wroxall, but Pott’s barn at Hackhurst Farm in East the staff from Just Homes residential despite the rain and showers, thanks to Sussex in August. Thanks to everyone care in Aldershot near Guildford who a good attendance, £250 was raised who attended and Nick and Clarissa’s raised £115, thanks to a cream tea, for R.A.B.I.. friends and family, the afternoon raised featuring Helen’s signature scones, as More than 50 people attended an nearly £600. well as a quiz and raffle.

WEBSITE WWW.RABI.ORG.UK 11 Model entertainment Our friends at Frogmary Farm! Members of the Suffolk committee Frogmary Farm in Somerset proved held a Ladies Lunch and Fashion a great setting for R.A.B.I.’s Meet The Show at Brick Kiln Barn in Sibton which Chairman event in September when raised £1,500. 60 people enjoyed south west committee members and lunch prepared by committee guests had the chance to find out more members and five ‘locally-sourced’ about the charity from chairman Chris models strutted their stuff in clothes by Riddle. “Artichoke” of Hingham in Norfolk. There was also an opportunity to look around Nick and Claire Bragg’s farm, which grows potatoes for supermarkets, End of summer maize and grass for fodder and rears The Clwyd committee held an End of chickens to RSPCA Freedom Food Summer Supper at Café Abakhan near welfare standards. Holywell in Flintshire which raised £600. Huge supporters of Young Farmers Clubs, Nick (pictured right) and Claire were presented with a cheque from Charity cafe Wessex YFC for hosting their annual rally, from which they in turn donated A charity café afternoon in Cilcain Hall near Mold in October raised more £500 to R.A.B.I.. Thank you! than £200 for the Clwyd committee through the sale of home-made cakes and Christmas cards. Farmers Marts Dolgellau donation Horse ride Around 100 people took part in this year’s Essex R.A.B.I. charity horse ride in August arranged by Chrissy Willett and Sallie Crosby. A fantastic £1,300 was raised from the event.

Sheep dog trial Thank you to John and Hilary Hoskin who held a sheep dog trial on their farm at Maiden Castle near Dorchester. More than 50 dogs took part and £900 was donated to R.A.B.I. from the day. Pictured above, Geunor Roberts receives the cheque from Farmers Mart representative Dyfrig Siencyn, with Linda Jones (right)

Book fair Farmers Marts Dolgellau has donated £2,000 to R.A.B.I. to mark their 60th anniversary. A celebratory supper and concert was held to mark the event and A book fair organised by North Dyfrig Siencyn presented the cheque to Merionethshire committee chairman Yorkshire committee member Denny Gibson at Bedale raised £1,300 from Geunor Roberts at a later date. entries, stand fees and the sale of refreshments. Mae Farmers Marts Dolgellau wedi cyfrannu £2,000 i R.A.B.I. i gofnodi dathlu 60 mlynedd. Cynhaliwyd swper a chyngerdd i ddathlu’r achlysur a chyflwynodd Dyfrig Siencyn y siec i gadeirydd pwyllgor Sir Feirionnydd, Geunor Roberts, yn Square dance ddiweddarach. The Ceredigion committee’s Square Dance at Llwyncelyn Hall, near One amazing evening for Worcestershire Aberaeron in September raised The annual R.A.B.I. / NFU Worcestershire around £180 for R.A.B.I.. dinner was held in Bewdley this year and featured a double celebration for Hugh Hughes, outgoing chairman and Help in Herefordshire member Steve Morris, who recently Do you live in Herefordshire, have completed the Great North Run. Steve, a passion for fundraising and a who is pictured here with NFU and few hours to spare? Then our West R.A.B.I. Worcestershire chairman Andrew Midlands regional manager would Baxter, plans to run next year too and like to hear from you! Contact her on 01743 892892 or email kate.jones@ donated £3,500 to R.A.B.I. on the night. rabi.org.uk The event raised an additional £5,000. 12 REGIONAL NEWS Go-Karting goes from strength to strength in Northants

The fourth annual Go-Karting evening organised by the Northamptonshire committee and hosted by Roger Ashby at Whilton Mill near Daventry in September attracted 20 teams from firms across the county and beyond and helped to raise £1,200 for R.A.B.I.. The winning team were the Coton Flyers Yorkshire raffle picked at Countryside Live In memory of Sue James Stephenson (right) from York A charity ride in memory of horse Auction Mart picks the winning ticket in enthusiast and R.A.B.I. friend, Sue the North Yorkshire committee’s summer Duffin took place in September at raffle helped by committee members Manor Farm in Carburton and raised (left to right) Basil Bosomworth, David £400. Anderson and Derrick Slater. The draw was held at the Countryside Live event in Harrogate in October and the Pies, peas and a quiz top prize of a bike, sponsored by John H Gill & Sons, James Potter from Yorkshire R.A.B.I. South Yorkshire held its first Farmhouse Eggs, and David Anderson, pub quiz in October at the Travellers was won by Lorraine Fishwick from Selby. Inn in Oxspring. Pies, peas and pints helped the evening go with a swing The raffle raised £1,500. and entertainment was provided by Frank Chislett. The evening raised Inaugural Golf Day success £450. The North Yorkshire committee’s A1 East group held its first Golf Day in September at Kirkbymoorside Golf Club and raised a tee-rrific £900 after a shotgun start. Discussion group Thirteen teams took part, including many corporate teams. The winning team was ‘Moneyweb Misfits’ with a score of 87 points, with ‘McClarrons Second’ coming in Thank you to Discussion second, and ‘East Riding Raiders’ in third place. Paige Dalby from McClarrons, who Club members in Dorset who donated £1,200 to R.A.B.I. in August to help presented the prizes, said: “It is so important to support the farmers and farm workers farmers affected by the Somerset in North Yorkshire. To have an event in such is beautiful rural setting is perfect.” flooding. Regional manager Sally Conner said: “I would like to thank everybody who supported and sponsored the event, especially McClarrons who have been instrumental in organising the day.” South West draw Congratulations to Stella Curtis of Castle Cary who won an original Fundraising triples in Northumberland painting donated to R.A.B.I. by Fundraising in Northumberland has Regional manager Sally Conner said: Cornwall-based artist Dick Twinney for tripled, thanks to events inspired by the “Thank you to everyone involved. The the South West Summer Draw. farming community wanting to help fact that our fundraising has increased people affected by the Somerset floods. from £6,694 in the first seven months of last year to £18,792 is really inspiring. A Spring Shindig in May raised £11,450. A 300-mile cycle ride organised by NFU “However, as a result of the increasing Tractor raffle success members in June raised £4,536. And complexity of cases, the grants we R.A.B.I. Cambridgeshire committee’s summer raffle raised the magnificent last but not least, an open day at the have given in Northumberland in the sum of £1,800. The first prize of the Armstrong’s Household and Farming same period have doubled and so John Deere pedal tractor was won by Museum in July raised £604. continued support is always needed.” Mindy Cook.

HELPLINE 0300 303 7373 13 What a Welly Week! Beat that for bravery! Members of the Shropshire committee took to the skies at an adventure park in Telford in October to complete a dozen hair-raising challenges in aid of R.A.B.I.. The group successfully completed the ‘drop zone’ challenge which included bungee jumping, zip wires, and a climbing wall, helping them to raise This year’s Welly Week campaign £400. in November featured obligatory muddy madness and we’d like to Pictured right are Heulwen Charles, thank everyone who took part to help Kate Jones, Mervin Mullard and Susan us have fun and raise funds. Bower Fashion Show An evening of fashion, entertainment, shopping and much more, by and in support of, British farmers, took place at the Rheged Centre near Penrith in November. Organised by regional manager Georgina Lamb with help, among others, from the Cumbria committee, the event raised more than £9,000 for R.A.B.I.. Some 26 people volunteered to be YFCs wore their wellies to bonfires models for the night, including YFC up and down the country, including members who took up the challenge Escrick, Canterbury and Cropwell to source and model two outfits YFCs, and the Rev Chris Halliwell costing no more than £25 from a even wore his to church at St Peters, charity shop. Mainstream clothing was Quermore in Lancashire! provided by Relphs of Penrith and Timothy Foxx (pictured bottom right), Harrison Clark Rickerbys solicitors financial support came from Barclays’ transported a giant welly between agriculture team (top right) and Carrs offices and encouraged staff to get Milling, and ‘Farmers Guardian’ were involved (pictured above) as did media partners (pictures courtesy of staff from Robinson & Hall (pictured Marcello Garbagnoli). below), Yeo Valley, Brethertons and many others. Georgina said: “It was an amazing night. I’d like to thank everyone In total 736 people entered our who took part and made the show social media competition to win possible, especially Julie Gillespie pairs of wellies generously donated from Barclays. Thanks also to Geoff by Gumleaf Clothing. The winners, Tomlinson who took the opportunity who have all been contacted, to shave off his moustache of 40 years were: Helena Taylor, Tim Durham, and managed to raise £500!” Frances Johnson, Rachael Thomson and Rachel Williams. This year’s summer charity fair at Forde Summer Fair success Abbey in July raised the magnificent To see the welly wacktivities just sum of £26,000 to support R.A.B.I. and type #wellyweek2014 into Google Marie Curie Cancer Care. or Twitter. The privately owned former Cistercian monastery, which is also noted for its gardens, dates from the 12th century and has been the home of the Roper and Kennard family for more than 100 years.

It is thanks to the generous support of Lisa and Mark Roper (pictured centre with their daughter Alice Kennard, R.A.B.I.’s Dorset committee chairman Susan Hooper and regional manager Pam Wills) that the popular fair is held every year on the last Thursday in July. 14 REGIONAL NEWS Tractor runs, rallies and ploughing matches An enterprising vicar raised more than £500 for R.A.B.I. by organising a ‘Vicars, Nuns and Tarts Vintage Tractor Run’! Priest-in-Charge of Norham, Cornhill, Carham and Branxton in Northumberland, the Revd Rob Kelsey, had the idea after watching a ladies tractor rally last year. As a result, 24 people took part in a 25-mile drive around the villages in September. He explained: “Some male participants in last year’s March Norham Ladies Tractor Rally dressed up as women to take part, and it was a short step to the idea of having our own rally to raise funds for R.A.B.I. and the churches. I particularly enjoyed seeing the expressions on the faces of drivers coming the other way!”

The fourth Warwickshire tractor run Drivers on a ‘Vicars, Nuns and Tarts’ tractor run in Northumberland in October, organised by Richard and Jane Morton, started at The of Lord and Lady Aylesford, and Dairy Farm of R.S. Beaty & Sons and refreshments were prepared by R.A.B.I. attracted 20 tractors and drivers. Warwickshire chairman, Helen Moore. Ploughing ahead The scenic route included access to Nearly £500 was raised, thanks to NFU This year’s wonderful weather attracted Packington Park by kind permission sponsorship. the crowds to a host of other ploughing matches, displays and tractor rallies in September, helping R.A.B.I. to raise In memory of Jake and Thomas awareness as well as funds. Friends and family of the late Jake £6,000 has been raised. Regular supporters of R.A.B.I., Mid Gardner got behind the wheel to Cheshire Farmers Club donated £1,000 remember him in style in October. Another tractor run was held for the to the charity at this year’s Cheshire fourth year in September in memory Ploughing Match at Altrincham. A parade of 33 new and vintage of young tractor-enthusiast Thomas South east regional manager Sally Field tractors took to the roads around Pegg. Starting at the National Forest proved a hit with school children as Guiting Power in Gloucestershire in Adventure Farm in Burton-on-Trent, she explained the charity’s work at this tribute to Jake who died in a car tractors, trucks motorbikes and Land year’s Laughton Ploughing Match at accident, aged 19 in 2012. Rovers completed a 22-mile course Court Farm, Falmer near Lewes. With £1,285 raised so far, the run was and raised £564 for R.A.B.I.. The annual Petworth and District the most recent event arranged by Thank you very much to Jake and Agricultural Association’s autumn ploughing match took place at Jake’s family in his memory. Earlier Thomas’ families for their support. this year a team from the Hollow Malham Farm, Wisborough Green near Bottom pub in Guiting Power ran the Pictured below at the Guiting Power Billingshurst where members of the Edinburgh Marathon, raising more run are (left) Daniel Taylor and Daniel East Sussex committee raised £800 by serving ploughman’s lunches. than £3,000, and to date more than Colman (right) The 115th Isle of Wight ploughing match was held at Westover Farm, Calbourne by kind permission of the Chapman family, helping to raise £650 for R.A.B.I.. The Fairford, Faringdon, Filkins and Burford Ploughing Match at Combe in Oxfordshire helped to raise more than £300 for R.A.B.I., including a £60 donation from Wantage-based MiD Engineering. R.A.B.I. will benefit from half the takings at the gate of a ‘Harvesting The Old Fashioned Way’ event held at Lavant, near Chichester in West Sussex. Last but not least, thank you to Southwell ploughing match in Nottinghamshire for donating £500 to R.A.B.I.

WEBSITE WWW.RABI.ORG.UK 15 CorporateCorporate andand groupgroup supporterssupporters . Thank you to.... Auction preview evenings’ success Kevin Bateman of the Central Asso- ciation of Agricultural Valuers, who has come up with a fundraising initiative called ‘Entitlement Aid’. Mr Bateman is collating a database of farmers who hold excess Single Payment Scheme entitlements and those who wish to buy so that they can be matched up in exchange for a donation. These will then be split between R.A.B.I., Addington and FCN. For more information call 01392 462128.

Hull Corn and Feed Trade, who do- nated £2,000 at their annual dinner in October. FUW members, who donated Auction preview evenings have proved A similar auction preview and valuation £570 to the Clwyd committee to be a big hit with R.A.B.I. supporters evening held at Gildings Sale Room after the Denbigh and Flint Show in Essex and Leicestershire, helping to in Market Harborough in October was in August. raise thousands of pounds for our work. supported by local firms King West and Market Harborough NFU Mutual and An event held at Sworders Fine Art Wadebridge Rotary Club, which raised just under £1,000. presented R.A.B.I. chairman Chris Auctioneers at Stansted Mountfitchet in Riddle with a cheque for £1,000 September was jointly organised by the Pictured above at the Sworders event: from the club’s 2014 Wheels Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire R.A.B.I. Hertfordshire chairman Nigel event in July. and Suffolk committees. It attracted Collins, Cambridgeshire chairman more than100 guests and with a talk Arthur Gee, Essex chairman Alan Spaldings of Lincoln, which raised by Sworders’ director and decorative Wreathall, trustee Pat Stanley, Suffolk £400 at June’s Cereals show by art expert, John Black, as well as an chairman Rosie Western and trustee making a donation to R.A.B.I. for auction and raffle, raised £3,600. Stephen Miles everyone placing an order.

Park Lodge Shooting School near Goole, which raised £380 for Mary donates leaving gift to R.A.B.I. R.A.B.I. from its first charity shoot Recently retired director of NFU Cymru, in June. Mary James, has generously donated her 15-year long service leaving gift of Arnold Thomson, Ellacotts and £500 to R.A.B.I.. Fisher German, who held a drinks reception at the Great Barn, Aynho Regional manager for Wales Linda in Oxfordshire and raised more Jones (pictured right with Mary), said: than £235 to support our work. “R.A.B.I. would like to say a big thank you to Mary. After dedicating her entire Thomson Snell and Passmore working career to helping the farming solicitors, who raised £250 for us at industry, in her retirement she continues the East Kent Ploughing Match in to look after the interests of farmers with September. this generous donation. Organisers of the Bowood Dog “We’d like to wish Mary a happy, Show, who donated £500 following healthy and long retirement.” this year’s event in Wiltshire. Rugby Primestock Society, who donated £1,600 in September from Say cheese selfie their 2013 Christmas show and din- R.A.B.I.’s Cheshire committee shared ner. a stand with Natwest Bank at the International Cheese awards in The Group 5 Association in the Isle of Wight, who raised £577 for Nantwich in July, thanks to agriculture R.A.B.I. at their association dinner. manager Rob Woods. In addition Joseph Heler kindly donated cheese Rogers & Son Butchers from for a cheese and wine reception. Carmarthen, who have chosen R.A.B.I. to benefit from their Regional manager Georgina Lamb community meat box delivery and regional welfare officer Jackie scheme. They will make a donation Clegg are pictured left having fun at of £2 from every box delivered. the show!

16 REGIONAL NEWS Corporate and fundraising group supporters R.A.B.I. proudly supports CEVA welfare awards Do you know anyone who goes the workers to farmers and veterinary “Ceva first supported us in 2013 by extra mile for animal welfare? If so, professionals. generously donating £1 per product please nominate them in the Ceva sold across their anti-infectives range, R.A.B.I.’s development manager Suzy Welfare Awards. resulting in a very generous £7,700 Deeley said: “The awards are a great donation. R.A.B.I. is proud to have been chosen way to reward people who have gone by the animal health company to be above and beyond in the name of “Their continued support is very much associated with the category for farm animal welfare. appreciated and we look forward to animal welfare in the 2015 awards being part of the awards in 2015.” “Given the large audience they reach, in recognition of our work within the they also offer R.A.B.I. a fantastic In addition to the category for farm farming community. opportunity to raise awareness of our animal welfare there are six other The awards recognise those who have work, both on the awards night and awards, including vet of the year. made an outstanding commitment during the nomination period in the For more information or to nominate to supporting and improving animal promotion of them across all sectors of someone you know go to the website welfare, from volunteers and charity our industry. www.cevawelfareawards.co.uk

Twenty-five teams battled it out for the Hugh van Cutsem BASC shoot raises £1,400 Challenge Cup at Six Mile Bottom in Suffolk in August. The event raised £1,400 for R.A.B.I. and the Gamekeepers Welfare Trust and participants included teams from the Angling Trust, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), the Countryside Alliance, CLA, Guns on Pegs, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO). Steve Bloomfield, BASC’s director for England, said: “Shooting is a great way to benefit charities and we were delighted by such a good response for these two causes.” The shoot was won by the NGO team, who are pictured left receiving the cup from Emilie van Cutsem. Texel competition Women in agriculture event Thanks to the Texel Youth Development Programme’s charity fundraising, £700 was raised at this year’s NSA Sheep event in Malvern. Competitors were challenged to place four sheep in the same order as the master judge to win a weigh crate donated by IAE and Welshpool-based agricultural and rural retailer, Charlie’s Stores. British Texel Sheep Society chairman Henry Gamble said: “The work R.A.B.I. does for the farming industry is invaluable and it is pleasing to see our young members recognising and supporting that.”

A celebration of the role of women in farming took place in September at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate. The successful collaboration between R.A.B.I., Barclays and the Yorkshire Rural Support Network highlighted the diversity of women’s roles in farming and was chaired by Judith Wood, Barclay’s agriculture manager for parts of Yorkshire and the North East. Pictured above (left to right) Janet Oldroyd Hulme, Texel Society chief executive John Yates presents a cheque Tamara Hall, Jane Thornber, Martin Redfearn, Barclays to R.A.B.I.’s Linda Jones with Anna Minnice-Hughes (Texel national policy manager, Judith Wood, Barclays YDP Secretary) and Helen Davies (NSA) agriculture manager, Lesley Buxton and Carol Peacock.

WEBSITE WWW.RABI.ORG.UK 17 YFC and college supporters Thank you for Making a difference Members of Meopham & District YFC your support! (pictured right) completed a 32-mile A public rehearsal for performances overnight trek in memory of popular at this year’s National Federation of farmer Tom Knowles who died in July. Young Farmers’ annual meeting in A collection for R.A.B.I. was made at Blackpool raised £2,500. Members from clubs in Cumbria put on the Tom’s funeral and to continue the show at Ullswater Community support five members of his former club College in May. walked from Tom’s village of Wrotham to Hobbs Park in Ashford where they Students from Writtle College in were met by R.A.B.I. Kent committee Essex raised £2,000 from last year’s chairman Charles Tassell. Raise and Give (RAG) activities.

Fifty-five competitors took part in the Ashby YFC annual ploughing match in Heather near Coalville Bishop Burton’s ploughathon in Leicestershire in September. Students from Bishop Burton College days to complete, was ploughed by Organised by Richard Hewitt, the event raised £550. (pictured below) completed a more than 100 students working on a gruelling 24-hour plough challenge shift basis. Students from Kingston Maurwood to help raise awareness and funds for Not only did the task help students College in Dorset raised £500 at a R.A.B.I. in October. St. George’s Day lunch in April as to achieve a respected volunteering part of Great British Beef Week. The land, which usually takes the qualification, the college raised £511 college’s farm team more than three from their endeavours. R.A.B.I. would like to sing the praises of Llanddewi Brefi YFC and Llanddewi Brefi W.I after a carol evening they arranged jointly raised more than £1,000.

Chelmsford YFC has organised a series of events to raise funds in the last year, together raising £1,500.

Young farmers in Wiltshire have collected £3,750 for R.A.B.I.. £3,000 has come from county funds and £750 has been donated by Malmesbury YFC which made R.A.B.I. its show charity in 2012/2013.

Fosse Group YFC members in Somerset raised £1,800 at a recent Club cheques boost R.A.B.I. funds charity auction.

Northamptonshire YFC members raised £213 from their annual ball.

Polden Hills YFC raised £2,000 at their harvest supper in October.

Last but not least, more than 200 former and current members of YFCs in West Sussex (pictured below) attended a 70th anniversary reunion in September at Butcherland Farm near Petworth which raised £800. R.A.B.I.’s Buckinghamshire committee Essex YFC groups, led by vice- secretary Virginia Stollery and mascot chairman Ed Ford who collected and Daisy are pictured above receiving delivered forage and raised funds a cheque for £3,000 from Edgcott to help farmers in flood-hit Somerset and Winslow YFC members (back earlier this year, have returned to the left to right) Henry Mitchell and Alan Levels to present a cheque to R.A.B.I. Burborough and (front left to right) for the tremendous sum of £7,500. Michael Fisk and Will Ives. Pictured above (left to right) are The money was raised from an epic 22- Somerset farmer James Winslade, hour, 200-mile cycle ride to this year’s R.A.B.I. regional manager Pam Wills NFYFC annual meeting in Blackpool. and Essex YFC chairman Ed Ford.

18 REGIONAL NEWS Individual supporters Trip of a lifetime “The trip was tough enough at times... but I did it and still can’t believe it - over the Andes and down to the Amazon - wow!” That was Wendy Gregory’s comment, after completing an epic cycle challenge for R.A.B.I. in October. Wendy (pictured right), who comes from Shropshire, took part in a fundraising cycle ride in Peru in South America organised by Charity Challenge. She undertook the 11-day trip in memory of her father, Ernie, who always used to say: “Nothing is out of reach - go for it!” Wendy explained: “The trip was tough enough at times to make me think I wasn’t going to make it - and I’m not one for giving up! It was also awesome enough to fulfill and uplift me so that I felt on top of the world. “The altitude sickness was real - fellow cyclists told me my lips were blue when I was hanging over the handle bars doing my deep breathing! - but I did it and still can’t believe it.” people who are all raising money for causes close to their hearts. It is impossible for small charities like R.A.B.I. to organise overseas challenges, and so arranging them through a Events range from trekking in Africa or the Himalayas, to horse company like Charity Challenge allows our supporters to riding in Mongolia and dog sledding in Sweden. For more enjoy global adventures in the company of like-minded information see the website www.charitychallenge.com Wolf Run Thank you to... Good luck to... Congratulations to Craig Thomson-Hay, Lizzie Eite from Cheshire, who raised Chris Coxon, who is about to take part a British army corporal from London, £470 from completing the Chester in the ‘Survival of the Fittest’ challenge in on completing his first ‘Wolf Run’ in Marathon. London - a 10km run with 100 obstacles! November for R.A.B.I.. Jennifer Jones and friends from All the participants who are to undergo Craig said: “The distance was 10km, my Aberarad, who donated £75 after the Zip Wire Challenge in North Wales completing the 25-mile Drovers Walk time was 1 hour 9 minutes, and I have organised by R.A.B.I. regional manager from Llanwrtyd Wells. never been that dirty and wet in all my Mel Jones. life - and I’m in the army!” Jennifer Warren and Paul Holden who We are grateful to all our supporters completed the 40km ‘Walk The Test who undertake challenge events and Craig learned about R.A.B.I. when he Way’ raising £220. arrange fundraising events for R.A.B.I.. To saw someone wearing an R.A.B.I. T-shirt Billie Allbury-Smith from Maidstone, who request a fundraising pack to help you in the British 10k in London in July. Four organised a cream tea which raised fundraise for R.A.B.I. call 01865 724931 or Wolf Runs are arranged every year. To £260 in memory of her late father Ian. email [email protected] find out more see www.thewolfrun.com Caroline and Steve together raise £6,000 from the Great North Run Caroline Wilson from Cleveland Steve Morris from Kidderminster in took part inthe Great North Run in Worcestershire also took part in the Gateshead in September and raised Great North Run, though he was doing £2,500 for R.A.B.I. including Gift Aid, it for the ninth time! thanks to support which included the Case IH and New Holland dealer Steve raised a staggering amount of network. money - £3,500 (see the picture on page 12 of him making a donation to Caroline said: “The run was pretty the Worcestershire committee). amazing, I never thought I’d manage it but the crowds were fantastic and Despite saying last year that he would helped to make it feel like a short 2 hang up his running shoes, his grand- hours 35 min run. But it was a much daughter has told him that he will have hotter day than I am used to - it was a to keep running until she is old enough good job there were showers along the to compete at the age of 16. Just route as well as the drinks stations! another four years to go then! “Having said that I thought this would Steve was presented with a trustee be my first and last half marathon I award in 2009 in recognition of his have signed up for the 2015 reminder fundraising work. He runs about four service to get myself in the ballot. I just times a week and explained: “I have to need to find time to keep training!” keep fit as I have an office job!” HELPLINE 0300 303 7373 19 Regional contacts Diary Dates EAST - BOB ARCHIBALD Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Events organised by or for R.A.B.I. and events where R.A.B.I. will have a Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, presence. For more information contact the regional manager (right). Cambridgeshire Mobile: 07739 297374 December January continued Tel: 01366 385388 1/2 Ashford Cattle Show, Ashford Market, Kent 27 Farmhouse Breakfast, Bartholomew Barn Email: bob.archibald@rabi. 2 Farmhouse Breakfast, Sam Turner & Sons Ltd 27 Farmhouse Breakfast, Highgrove Garden Cntr org.uk 3 Carol Evening, Lavender Farm, Isle of Wight 29 NSA Winter Fair, Bakewell Market 4 Glos R.A.B.I. Christmas Sale, Cirencester Mrkt 29 Burns Night Supper, Dawlish Warren, Devon NORTH EAST – SALLY CONNER North Yorkshire, County Durham, 4/5 Smithfield Show, Peterborough 30 Farmhouse Breakfast, Shaw House, Oxford Northumberland, East Yorkshire 5 Brecon & Radnor Christmas Carol Service Mobile: 07818 093506 5 Exeter Market Primestock Show, Devon February Tel: 01964 541400 6 The President’s Ball, Driffield, East Yorkshire 3 Farmhouse Breakfast, Spring Barn Farm, Lewes Email: [email protected] 6 Suffolk Wassail, Debenham 4 Farmhouse Breakfast, The Dirty Habit 6 Christmas Shopping Fayre, Ruthin, Clwyd 16 Farmhouse Breakfast, Hellingly 7 Montgomeryshire Christmas Carol Concert 18 Farmhouse Breakfast, Ashford Market 8 Christmas Concert, Swinton Castle, N Yorks 18 Bingo Night, Mart Cafe, Carmarthen SOUTH EAST – SALLY FIELD Hampshire, IOW, Berkshire, 9 Notts R.A.B.I. Carol Concert, Welbeck Estate 19 Farmhouse Breakfast, Manor Farm Barn Surrey, Sussex, Kent 10 Gin Tasting & Cocktail Making Eve, Northants 20 Farmhouse Breakfast, Black Sheep Brewery Mobile: 07799 798441 10 Beaufort House Christmas Coffee Morning 20 Shropshire R.A.B.I. Quiz Night, Hadnall Tel: 01903 882741 11 Northants R.A.B.I. Christmas Event, Strixton 21 Champagne Breakfast, Betchworth, Surrey Email: [email protected] 11 Christmas Carol Concert, Wigton, Cumbria 25 Farmhouse Breakfast, Winkworth Farm 12 Carol Evening, Petworth, Sussex 28 Bucks Farmers Ball, MK Dons Stadium 12 Christmas Carol Concert, Ruthin Mart, Clwyd 28 Balloon Debate, Melbury House, Dorset 12 Exeter Market Christmas Dairy Sale, Devon 28 The Mayor’s Charity Dinner, Hadlow, Kent WEST MIDLANDS - KATE JONES 17 Holsworthy Market, Devon Staffordshire, Shropshire, West Midlands, Warwickshire, 18 Plough Sunday Service, Rochester Cathedral March Worcestershire, Herefordshire 20 Holsworthy Market Christmas Poultry Sale, Devon 6 Farmhouse Breakfast, Sittingbourne Mobile: 07876 492839 22 Exeter Market Carol Service, Devon 13 Notts. R.A.B.I. Panel Discussion with NRS Tel: 01743 892892 13 Leics. R.A.B.I. Quiz Night, Kirkby Mallory Email: [email protected] January 17 Joules Clothing Seconds Sale, Towcester 21 Farmhouse Breakfast, Greenfields, Sturry 18 Bingo Night, Mart Cafe, Carmarthen 21/22 LAMMA, Peterborough 19 Staffs R.A.B.I. Dinner, Staffs County Showground NORTH WEST - GEORGINA LAMB Cumbria, Lancashire, South 21 Curry Night at Saffron Cottage, Shrewsbury 21 Glos. R.A.B.I. Frog Racing Evening (venue TBC) & West Yorkshire, Merseyside, 21 Bingo Night, Mart Cafe, Carmarthen Cheshire 22 Farmhouse Breakfast, Westlands Farm Shop April Mobile: 07917 114250 23 Farmhouse Breakfast, Griggs, St Austell 15 Bingo Night, Mart Cafe, Carmarthen Email: georgina.lamb@rabi. 23 Farmhouse Breakfast, W. Cornwall (venue tbc) 26 Shropshire Chairman’s County Lunch, Eyton org.uk

Farmhouse Breakfast Week 2015 begins on January 25 SOUTH CENTRAL – JENNI THOMPSON Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire, Great British Beef Week 2015 begins on April 23 Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Mobile: 07919 478518 Tel: 01460 240950 Email: jenni.thompson@rabi. org.uk

EAST MIDLANDS – MILLY WASTIE Lincolnshire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire, Mobile: 07525 323450 Tel: 01788 823739 Email: [email protected]

SOUTH WEST - PAM WILLS Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset Mobile: 07825 336224 Tel: 01749 838682 Emails: [email protected]

n WALES - LINDA JONES Mobile: 07557 363016 For an information pack to help you arrange a fundraising Tel: 01559 364850 Email: [email protected] event, however large or small, please contact Suzy Deeley E: [email protected] T: 01865 811596 If you can help us, thank you! HELPLINE 0300 303 7373