Shuttleworth CollegeAlumni
Welcome to the 2024/25 Annual Newsletter. Our thanks go to everyone who helped by making a contribution, without your contributions there is no magazine.We collect news and views right throughout the year so it is never to early to send in material. Please let us know if you hearany news be it good or sad!
At the end of the AGM minutes you will see details of the next reunion at the College planned for May 10th 2026.Weare close to having everything booked and towards the end of this year we will start selling tickets. Keep an eye out for emails with the details.
If you fancy a chance to win £250 details of our annual lottery are inthe advert. Profits from this go towards SCAfunds to help the current students. This year we were able to buy a new set of Rugby kit. To buy your ticket contact Paddy or Sarah whose contact details are on the back page.
NOVEMBER 2024
I would like to thank Tony Abbottfor his years as Chairman. Following the AGM in May I was voted in as Chairman, and know that I have bigfeet to fill.
A little about me.
I am a Dairyand Arable Farmer, and I am based about 7 miles from the College and 2 miles north of Sandy. Myself and my familyrun a Dairyfarm of 140 Holstein Friesian Milking cows, with followers and approximately 100 ha of combinable crops, these are mostly wheat and beans.
I am married to Katy and have a son and daughter.
The committee are currently working towards our next big event, which will be on Sunday 10 May 2026. This willbe a reunion, similar to the previous one, which was held in 2023.We arehoping to have a hog roast and marqueefor this event. Please make a provisional note of this date and spread the word about.
Weare also looking at increasing our active membership. There seem to be lots of members who we have sadly lost contact with, so if you knowof anyone who hasn’t received a newsletter that should have, please get in contact with us or suggest to them to re-subscribe, this will be at a small fee of £5 a year.Wealso have several tickets available for the 200 lottery, so please get in contact with Paddy or Sarah if you would like to be a part of this. These tickets are priced at £10 for the year with the chance of winning £250, £150, or £50.Wining tickets will be drawn each AGM.
Weare holding online committee meetings in evenings during the week, and are also going to continue with the AGMs as a face to face meeting.
My view in September let’s hope for a drier one next year
2024 has been another busy and vibrant year at Shuttleworth. Recruitment went well in September and we now have in the region of 650 students studying on the Shuttleworth site. We now offer full time courses in agriculture, animal management, equine, horticulture, land and wildlife, floristry, outdoor adventure and uniformed public services.
A key highlight was the opening of the new building at Kingshill Farm, housing three classrooms, a student common room, changing rooms and offices. This provides an outstanding learning environment for students and allows us to do more teaching delivery at the farm. The students are also benefitting from investment in machinery ensuring they have plenty of opportunity to develop practical skills and knowledge.
The red poll herd continues to perform well, we had 20 calves this year of which only three were female.Wingfield Kestrel (our stock bull) won first place for the best Red Poll Bull in the eastern regions during judging in June. The overall college herd was awarded highly commended by the red poll society for large Red Poll herd in the eastern regions. We have selected six cows who are in training for next year’s showing season, this is a
great activity for the students to participate in and we hope to bring home more rosettes!
We have been participating in crop trials with 12 varieties of winter wheat and this year we grew naked oats instead of barley. We have undertaken digital mapping to support the development of the farm and improve our sustainability by looking at areas for stewardship schemes and improve planning and rotations of farm crops. We continue to develop the facilities for the equine students and this year we invested in a new indoor arena surface and a set of show jumps. We bought horse, Fletcher, who we hope will be with us for many years to come. We also invested in a mechanical horse; this riding simulator enables us to work with students to improve theirriding position.
Mechanical horse
Fletcher
During the course of this year our land and wildlife students have studied a range of topics to prepare them for their chosen career path. These include woodland management, wetland management and game-bird production. As well as this they have been out to work in industry and visited a local estate to look at regenerative farming and conservation. They have also visited local waterways to undertake surveying and aquatic population studies.
Floristry students have benefitted from days with industry experts getting students ready for working in the florist industry, participated in wedding masterclasses and undertaken trips to learn about sustainable growing. They also ran the Shuttleworth pop up Christmas shop, fulfilling bespoke customer orders. They produced some beautiful displays for the college stand at the Bedfordshire Young Farmers Rally.
A highlight for the animal management students was the second-year level 3 study tour to The Netherlands visiting Beekse Bergen Safari Park and Royal Burgers Zoo. They also held a successful employers' day with guest speakers from various businesses to show students options for
future roles. The outdoor adventure students have been on many educational visits this year with overseas trips climbing in Spain, yacht sailing in Croatia and skiing in Italy. In September 2024 we began delivering courses in uniformed services at the Shuttleworth campus, a great addition to our curriculum offer.
We have refurbished our halls of residence; this was a huge undertaking involving upgrading and replacing the insulation, windows and heating, followed by redecorating and new furniture. The students are also benefitting from a muchimproved student common room
Our part time provision continues to be strong with many students studying Royal Horticultural Society courses with us as well as short courses in areas such as chainsaw maintenance through to tractor driving.
Students also continue to enjoy the social side of college and we were very grateful to the students’ association for sponsoring the new rugby kit. Overall, we have had a really positive year, with many fantastic student achievements and we look forward to 2025.
Floristry display at Young Farmers Rally
The New student common room.
Dr Catherine Lloyd
The Redevelopment of Kingshill Farm
Tim Routsis, the Chair of the Shuttleworth Trust, officially opened Kingshill Farm on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. The redevelopment, funded in partby a £2 Million Government grant and resources from Bedford College have enabled Shuttleworth to provide the opportunity for curriculum change and deliver the T level in Agriculture, the Environment and animal care. The money will provide High level teaching accommodation and fit-for purpose facilities. This plays an important role in development skills with both arable and livestock enterprises together with a wider understanding of land management.
Kingshill Farm is situated on the Biggleswade side of the runway and was farmed by a tenant of the Estate until recently
A close up of the commemorative plaque
The large Workshop Area. With two committee members who attended the opening. Bob Cowper in green jacket and Nick Badger leaning on his umbrella.
Images of the back of the classroom block and the front of the machinery shed.
Student common room/kitchen
Lecture room .
Looks like Catherine has lost the students. Maybe the Bar has just opened!
Lecture room
NDA67-69 & 68-70
Andy Davies. 68-70.
I have sent some pictures of the reunion we held on the 9th of June in the dining hall at thecollege. With partners we had 55 in attendance with Graham Amos as ourguest.
Following lots of reminiscing and remembering faces ( thank goodness for name badges) over drinks we had a buffet lunch followed by a tour of the house, courtesy of the 4 wonderful volunteer guides, or a tour of the Swiss gardens.
Weenjoyed a reallyhappy day and many expressed their surprise at both howbeautiful the gardens were and that we never realised what was there when we were at college.
The tour of the housegave everyone the chance to see Mrs Shuttleworth’s quarters and for many theirold rooms on the third floor. The guides absolutely loved hearing the stories of the antics in the house and of course the 1967 year were the last to have met Mrs Shuttleworth. They would love to show other old students round the house and hear any stories of their time at Shutts.
The prize for the longest journey went to John Mawle who came infrom NewZealand and Malcolm Florey would have been second having come from France, but unfortunately his wife, Linda, broke her ankle the night before so they could not attend.
Wehad 8 ex BCPE ladies attending so it was like two reunions in one !!
The day was jointly organised by Andy Davies 1968-70 NDAand John Humphries 1967-69 NDA. The hope is to organise another reunion in June 2026.
I don't ever remember the Dining Hall looking as posh as this! Looks like a Great Day for NDA 67/70
Keith Eade NDA65/67
Hi Patrick
Got your Gallery etc via MartinWaldron. Many thanks. I’m Keith Eade from years 65 to 67 NDA. After being on VSO in Tanzania with Martin I then trained for teaching and examining Rural Science and running schoolfarms in Kent and with the forces schools in Germany for nearly forty years. I retired to Hove in 2006 and nowplay drums in three bands
Keith found this ancient black and white of him working for Tanzanian Min Of Ag on a poultrybreeding project on VSO in 1968
School Farm pictures from past students giving an idea of what we did with our marvellous facilities. I retired in 2006 when Farm was sold off for building a newestate. Not without huge protest !!
The SCAAnnual Prize Draw!
Are you feeling Lucky?
Your chance of winning a big prize while helping current students!
Every year at theAGM we draw 3 prizes.
1st £250, 2nd £150, 3rd £50
Tickets Cost just £10 each and if you pay annually bystanding order, once you have set it up you automatically enter the draw every year.
You can buy as many tickets as you wish but don’t hang around as there are only 200 tickets in the draw!
You can buy tickets from Sarah Perrett: 01458 251523 or
perrett_sarah@hotmail.com
The SCAholdsfunds collected over the years which we are pleasedto use to help out the current student body in ways that, for whatever reasons, the College is unable to.
In the past we have donated gym equipment, sports kit, teaching aids and paidfor some external exam fees for such things as forklift driving.
Weliaise with the College and when an opportunity to help out arises we are pleased to consider each application and fund accordingly
Summer 2023 also sawthe Alumni subsidise the reunion. Due to the several postponements and the significant rise in costs between planning and holding the event costs had spiralled.
Wetry to ensure that any surplus funds are channelled back into either the Members or the Current students where possible.
In Memoriam
Michael John Hodge NDA1953/55
Dear Paddy , I email to advise for the Shuttleworth magazine of the passing of my father Michael John Hodge. He was born 4 September1932 in Histon, Cambridgeshire and passed away on 14th February 2024 aged 91 after a short illness.He attended Shuttleworth Agricultural College between 1953-1955.
After college between 1955 and 1958 he worked on several farms in Shropshire,Worcestershire and eventuallybecame farm manager of afarm in Oxfordshire. This period also included an exchange to work on afarm in Denmark during 1958 which he describes as his most enjoyable farm work.
In 1959 Mike changed direction to jointhe Ministry of Agriculture as a field officer and moved to Norwich. Mike retired in 1992 from MAFF with his hobbies of gardening, country walks and bird watching continuing. I attach some papersfrom his time at Shuttleworth.
Kind Regards Nigel Hodge
As far as I am aware the only name who is still with us is David Maxfield. Maxfield FD on the sheet from 1956. David has been a subscriber to this magazine since the beginning.
David AnthonyReeve NDA59/61
David Anthony Reeve was born on 9th February 1941 at Dover Farm House in Ixworth.
David grewup on the family farm in Ixworth together with sister Janet but at an earlyage went to boarding school at Moreton Hall in Bury St Edmunds. He didn’t particularly enjoy Moreton Hall but from there he progressed to board at Eversley School in Southwold, and so began a life long affection with the Suffolk seaside town, only emulated by his connection with Ixworth. One of dad’s vivid childhood memories was seeing the 1953 east coast floods rise to withinfeet of his boarding house. Framlingham College was next and then onto Shuttleworth College in Bedfordshire before coming back to Ixworth to work on the farm. David had great fondnessfor his days at both Framlingham and Shuttleworth, going fairly regularly to reunions over the next half century after leaving.
David came back to the farm, working with father George. Shortly after marrying Jeannie, David and his youngfamilymoved into a house in Ixworth which David had been renovating and restoring. It is the oldest house in Ixworth, and would remain their home for over 50 years. Apartfrom Boarding Schools, Shuttleworth College, and more recently Fornham House CareHome, David lived his entire life in Ixworth.
Outside work on the farm, David invested himself in various aspects of local village andfarming life. As well as YFC, he was Churchwarden and on the Church Council of the village church for many years, a Parish Councillor, and one time chair.There was also the National Farmers Union and local Conservative Association of which he was an active member.
David and his wife Jeannie had 2 children, James and Christopher, and fostered their nephew, Edward, following David's sister, Janet, passing away when he was young. They had 7 grandchildren.
Unfortunately David spent his final fewyears following the pandemic with declining health, mainly due to dementia. Hepassed away at Fornham Care Home, near Bury St Edmunds aged 83. The funeral was on Thursday 21st March 2pm at St Mary's Church, Ixworth. ,
It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Tim Evans, beloved son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, visionary, political activist and so much more. Tim passed away on 13th March 2024 surrounded by his sons. Many won’t have known that Tim had been privately battling bipolar disorder for over 40 years and even though he never let his illness define him, it was a part of him. Many will know Tim as a loving, generous and larger-thanlife character who touched the lives of many. He was always on the move, re-inventing himself continuously. Nothingseemed safefrom his hunger for life. His accolades over his 63 years of life include a career in sports, finance, farming, acting, dancing, biogas and most recently taking on becoming a force to be reckoned with in driving the energy transition to “leave something better behind”. His relentless commitment to change also fuelled his tireless campaign against Brexit and his dedication to securing the same rights and freedomsfor the next generation. It ishard to
put into words what Tim meant to hisfamily, friends and anyone else he came into contact with, and any words are unlikely to do him justice. To say he willbe missed isa tremendous understatement. Tim leaves behind a living legacy that we all can continue in his memory. He sought out people with different opinions to invite theirviews, he challenged established beliefs and traditional thinking, he sought to build bridges and loved unconditionally. He was driven by a desire to make the world a better place for his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. I think that we can all strive to pick up the banner of what Tim stood for and take it forward and out into the world, honouring his memory of who he was.
Rob Kemble NDA62/64. No details I’m afraid if anyone has please let me know. Thanks Ed.
I told you it was a bad idea!
A few years back I did a piece for this excellent publication called ‘You want to grow what?’ - the scenario was a son or daughter returning home from overseas work experience and suggesting that it would be a good idea to plant a fewgrapevines in that little fielddown the track, you know, the one that’s too small for the newdrill?
Fast forward and many landowners have fallen for the romantic allure of a few grapevines set in the pleasant backdrop of the English countryside; quite a few more have been tempted by the business potential… The picture below was taken in October 2022 at Chet Valley Vineyards, owned by John Hemmant (brother Paul was at Shutts FC 72/73)
I should mention that ’22 was a good year for quality; ’23 was a barn-buster, but this year’s cold, wet, sun-starved disease pressured crops has been an unmitigated disasterfor many - this is why I have chosen the titlefor this piece!
The best crops were in sheltered vineyards on good soil - the deluge we enduredflushed nutri-
ents out from the lighter sandy soils in Norfolk/ Suffolk and the cold NE winds didn’thelp along the East coast – yields there were very poor or even not worth picking. Fingers crossed for next year!
In 2015 (when I picked UK grapes for the first time) there were 4000 acres (1600 ha) of productive grapevines in the UK with a further 500 acres (200 ha) planted that year - by 2023 there were 3600 acres in production with 400 acres freshly planted (vines produce a small crop intheir third year) with 1100 or so vineyards registered with Wine GB. To put this into a global perspective; Germany has approximately 113,000 ha, Italy
700,000 ha, France 792,000 ha, Spain 945,000 ha and globallythere are 7.2 million ha for 2023, so the UK is a drop in the ocean. But- the UK is bucking a trend, as there is a global drop inwine
consumption driven by economics and fashion, resulting in vineyards being grubbed up (the French receive 8,000 Euros/ha compensation).
Here in Blighty plantings are increasing, with big French names and City money investing heavily in the southerncounties (Kent, Sussex, Hampshire etc); climate change is pushing the viticultural boundarynorthwards with vineyards now in Yorkshire and apparently one in Scotland. I mentioned Paul Hemmant– I bump into other exShutts – Robert Perowne and Nevile Kemp (both NDAearly70’s) have vines (Cobble Hill Vineyard and HillHouse Vineyard respectively).
Adrian Hipwell’s (HND77-80) farm hosts Flint Vineyard and winery. Adrian and his son have started the Ampersand Brewery in Diss (very good beer and lager!). John Croxford (HND7981) has Stonepits Vineyard; I see Jeremy Towne (HND78-81) at AHDB Monitor Farm do’s; C.C. Metcalfe (HND79-81) I think is advising Jeremy Clarkson and produces and stars in Harry's Garage and Harry’s Farm on YouTube; Nigel Holley(OND 77-80) is still in private finance; Mark Butcher and his wife Margaret are still keeping potato blight at bay in Prince Edward Island spuds; Caroline Whitby(PE college 77- 80) dropped by whilst on a cycling tour of Norfolk – she still lives in Nova Scotia, so good to see her.I hearthat Tim Hubbard (OND 77-80) is nowmanaging a farm; I have yet to bump into Marc Woods (OND 77-80) when I’m in North Norfolk at Burn Valley Vineyard or Walsingham Estate Vineyard. William Croxford has plunged into viticulture bigtime with help from City money and his partnersparents land (but he has managed to upset a few people along the way, so not a good start).
As for me – I am now an OAP (how did thathappen?), still married after 41 years (!!!), but not yet retired because people keep asking me to look after their vines, so I now have 10 vineyards of varying size on my books spread across East Anglia (one of them suppliesWindsor Polo Cuband Claridge’s). I also do contract vineyard spraying on three of them and during the winter months help out with the pruning (if you think that looking
after grapevines is romantic then come up to North Norfolk next February and help out when that North wind is cutting across the vineyard and cutting through you!). When I have a fewminutes to spare I do a newsletter (Vineyard Observations)forWine GB East (covering N London, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire with 85+ member vineyards).
This taken at Tyringham Hall (Newport Pagnell) September this year – the vineyard is in the old walled garden – it was clobbered byfrost the last two years, but this year….if all the vines I look after were this good I would be very happy. John Croxford’s vines just down the road at Emberton are more exposed and suffered as a result.
Wishing you all the best for Christmas and the New year!
Graeme Brown (OND 77-80)
07775331830
New RugbyKit for Shuttleworth
As mentioned earlier the Alumni are pleased to help out with purchases of things thatfor, whatever reason, the College cannot buy.
This year we were pleased to sponsor the purchase of newRugby kit for the College Rugby Team
Good to see the Old Shutts Crest !!
Digitised College Photographs
Back in the day, Chris Smart used toframe the College Photographs each year and hang them up in the Bar for all to see. Following the changes that have happened it appeared they were ‘surplus’ and could have been lost forever!Wehave rescued them and had them ‘digitised’. They are now available online on the Alumni website under the Gallery tab. https://www.shuttleworthalumni.co.uk/ gallery.html
Sadlywe don't have every year group but take a look you may be there.
If anyone would like a digitised copy please contact Patrick on patrick.godwin@btinternet.com or 07966 926274
Some of them have been annotated with coloured markers and an accompanying Key to remind everyone who is who. This must have been a painstaking task for Chris to take on but he had a huge love and respect for Shuttleworth and the students.
SHUTTLEWORTH COLLEGEALUMNI
MINUTES OF THEAGM – SATURDAY11 May2024
Present: Tony Abbott (Chairman), Richard Infield (Vice Chairman), Sarah Perrett (Treasurer), Charlotte Maynard(Secretary), Paddy Godwin (Editor and Database), Nick Badger, Robert Cowper 70/72, Eric Yates,Janet Yates, Mike Burman, Peter Homer, Catherine Lloyd College director.
Apologies: Mike Laflin, Tim Durrant, Nick Drury, Bruce Ashworth, Chris Fyson, John Dixon (Alf) Richard Lyon, Graeme Brown. The minutes of the 2023 AGM were accepted and approved.
Chairman’s Report: Tony Abbott
This last year has been a period of consolidation with initial arrangements being made for the next reunion which is scheduled for the 9th May 2026. An initial email has been circulated to advise membersof the event and askingfor their interest. To date I have received positive interest from about 50 members.
Wehave donated £900 to the college students for the purchase of new rugby shirts which has been gratefully acknowledged.
As I stand down as chairman I would like to thank all of the committee members for theirhelp and support, without which, the association wouldnot exist. I would particularlylike to thank (in no particular order) :
Charlotte Maynard(secretary) who keeps us all in order, arranges the meetings and send out agendas and minutes (amongst other things!)
Richard Infield (vice chairman) who has stood in for me on occasions and was a superb help in arranging the last reunion.
Sarah Perrett (treasurer) who kindly took overfrom MikeWilliams and has done a sterling (pun intended!) job in the role.
Patrick (Paddy) Godwin (IT and date base) has been doing the job for longer than I can remember and with his usual quiet efficiency.
Dr. Catherine Lloyd (college vice-principal) who has religiouslygiven us an update on college activities at every committee meeting.
I will still stay on as a committee member (if elected!) and wish the newchairman and vicechairman every success in their newroles.
Tony Abbott
Treasurer’s Report: Sarah Perrett
Sarah circulated the statement of revenue and expenditure, capital account and bank accounts. 2022/23 Expenditure was £13,067.88. Income was £3,576.00 The accounts for 2023/2024 were obviously dominated by the reunion in May 2023. Overall the cost to the SCA of holding the event (expenditure less incomefrom ticket sales) was approximately £7,000. This was mainly because the original ticket price was based on our being able to use the Russell Hall, and the cost of the hog roast at the 2020 price. However, the feedback was excellent and as far as I can tell everyone thought it was money well spent.
Plans for the 2026 reunion are already underway and quotesfor hog roast, marquee etc.
being sought by various members of the committee. We will definitely trynot to cost the SCA quite so much next time.
The accounts showthat the income for subs has increased by £20 over 22/23. Unfortunately we have lost several subscribers and the increase is the result of afew people paying a lump sum up front.
The receipts from the 100 club lotteryhave also reduced. If anyone would like to take part in this lottery please contact me.
Merchandise sales were up considerably on the previous year and not only from sales at the reunion.We stillkeep a supply of rugby shirts and poloshirts with the SCA logo and at a very reasonableprice.
The accounts have been audited by an accounts professional for the princely sum of £8.79 which was the price of a bottle of her favourite wine from the local community shop – thereby helping 2 good causes in one go!
Secretary’s Report: Charlotte Maynard
Charlotte thanked Tony for the years he hasbeen Chairman on behalf of the committee and Tony was presented with an engraved tankard as a thank you for his service. There was nothing further to report.
IT Manager’s Report and Editors Report: PaddyGodwin
Paddy reported that each year we lose a few more subscribers to the association, we do tryand recruit newones but this is not an easy task. There are a number of subscribers who have not paid theirAnnual subscription and we believe we are currently owed approximately £3,000 inoverdue subs. Paddy will circulate a list of these people to the committee and ask that some phone calls can be made to chase up these arrears. This is a slowtask and there are a fair fewto get through. Paddy will do this in the next fewmonths.
Every subscriber pays an annual sub of £5.00. The cost to send out each printed version of the newsletter costs £5.10 per person and the cost to email the newsletter is approx. 50p per person. We currently have 64 subscribers receiving a printed copy and we have to subsidise this cost. Wemake £4.50 on each email subscriber. Any profit can be used to help subsidise the next reunion planned for 2026.
The website has not had much activity on it recently and we shouldbe utilising this more and uploading more photos on a regular basis.
Lottery – Paddy included afull page advert in the newsletter for theLottery but it made no difference and we have notreceived any additional entries. We currently have 50 lottery entries but we can accommodate up to 140 more. If anyone has any clever ideas how we can promote the lottery please let Paddy know.
Weare always looking for subscribers so please put them in touch with Paddy and he will show them how to join.
StudentsCollege Report: Catherine Lloyd
The college continues to deliver a successful land-based curriculum of full time, part time, apprenticeship and short courses to meet the needs of students and employers in the region. Wehave held three open days that have been well attended and recruitment for September 2024 looks strong. The building of the newKingshill Farm Centreis nowcomplete and provides an outstanding resource for us to further develop our provision in this subject area with a particular focus on T-Levels. Refurbishment of the college halls of residence has begun and be completed over the summer, this includes newheating, insulation and
windows to ensure the building operates more efficiently. The College Farm has had a positive year. We completed lambing 250 ewes, which provides a great learning opportunityfor students under the guidance of our experienced staff. We continue to growthe Red Poll cattle herd; calving has begun and a number calves have already arrived. Wehad success with cattle showing last year winning a breed champion at the South Suffolk Show and are hoping for the same this year. The farm is participating in the Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship Scheme which will provide opportunities for students to become involved in this work andfits with our strategy of sustainable agriculture. Delivery of T-Levels is going well and we will introduce more routes from September2024.
Across the provision we have had a great year with numerous trips and visits taking place. We have also established the colleges rugby team and are grateful to the SCAfor their sponsorship of the newkit.
Vice Principal’s report to the Shuttleworth College Association AGM – May2024
Election of Officers for the ensuing year:
Chairman: Richard Infield
Proposed by Paddy Godwin, seconded by Sarah Perrett
Vice Chairman: Bob Cowper – Proposed by Charlotte Maynard, seconded byTony Abbott
Secretary: Charlotte Maynard – Proposed by Bob Cowper, seconded by Nick Badger
Treasurer: Sarah Perrett - proposed by Richard Infield, seconded by Peter Homer
IT Manager: Patrick Godwin – Proposed by Eric Yates, seconded by Tony Abbott
Editor: PaddyGodwin – Proposed by Richard Infield, seconded by Sarah Perrett
The following committee members stood down from the committee: Mike Laflin
Committee members: Nick Drury, Eric Yates, Mike Williams, Claire Van Leersum, Bruce Ashworth (HND 79/82), Tim Durrant (OND76/79), Robert Cowper (70/72), Nick Badger (HND 92/95). Proposed by Mike Lafin and Seconded by Garth Drury and were reelected ‚en bloc‘.PeterHomer (ex Mechanical lecturer) was voted onto the committee, Proposed by Charlotte Maynard, seconded by Nick Badger
Reunion Sun 10th May2026 (afternoon)
An email has been sent out to some subscribers asking for theirexpression of interest in a reunion in2026 and 50 people have shown an interest in attending.
Tony said he is happyto help with the planning.
Charlotte got a quote for a Hog Roastfrom Boss Hogs (a local hog roast company) and they have quoted £10 per head incl salads, cutlery etc (based on any numberof people). It was agreed we would book them in.
Charlotte will speak to the college about booking the parkland for this event as it was agreed a Marquee would be thebetter option so we can increase or decrease the size depending on numbers.
Richard and Bob both have marquee contacts so they will both obtain quotes.
We will also need a licenced bar– Charlotte to speak with Boss Hogs and see if they can provide this.
Auditing of Accounts The accounts have been audited and signed off.
The annual draw then took place:
1st prize (£250): No124 - Martin
2nd prize (£150): No 99 - Humphreys
3rd prize (£50): No 138 Pick
Any Other Business
There was no other business
News gleaned from the papers throughout the year from our far East correspondent, EricYates
If you have appeared in the farming press, either Nationally or regionally then Eric’s encyclopaedic memory will click in and he will spot you! He can remember who you are, when you were at College and what course you took.
Weare very grateful to Eric and salute his amazing cerebral database.
Edward Brun FC 75/76 In May of this year Edwards family reported the missing Peacock, Gerald. A reward was offered for his recapture but as of going to press we have no reports of his return.
Jamie Lockhart ND (92/95) Farm Manager for Brandon based Frederick Hiam has been working with agri-tech company Greenstalk on ways to add functionality to existing farm equipment. The first development was for a ‘smart scarer’ that can be monitored remotely also fitted with a weather station real time data can be transmitted over the internet.
Nick Youngs (HND 76/79) son Tom along with nephewGeorge have won the much coveted Norfolk Farm Business Competition. Tom who retired from his England and Leicester rugby career joined the familybusiness two years ago according to a report in the Eastern DailyPress of June 22nd.
Tom was also the guest speaker at the Norfolk branch of the Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM)at their openingmeeting in Morley Business centre near Wymondham.
Colin Rayner (OND 76/79) In an interesting article from the Sunday Telegraph Colinexplained that farming wasn’t as profitable as those not connected with farmingmay think. After attending the NFU conference where the Prime Minister of the time promised farmers that ‘....he had their backs..’ Colin was explaining that costs of production were now, for many growers and producers, well belowthe cost of production and this was putting great pressure on Farm businesses.
Kit Speakman (ND 84/87) was quoted in the Spring edition of theTransition Publication from the FarmersWeekly. He was agreeing that British farmers deliver the highest welfare and production standards in the world and that the government needs to recognise this and continue support. He was saying that a good start to showsupport would be for more British food to be procured for government sectors, such as the NHS and schools.
Kit Papworth (HND 89/82) Joined others in the Lynn News of November 8th to make serious comment on the affects of the Governments’ plan to remove agricultural and property tax relief. ‘The loss of such relief is a serious blowto small familyfarms which arealready struggling, it is a bitter blowto those hoping to pass on their farm to the next generation. Farming is not sufficiently profitable to pay the tax or take out a loan to do so.
And just to prove that Eric reads articles from other parts of the British Isles here is an old Student from Kelso:
David Fuller-Shapcot (HND 84/87) Kelso was often seen in the FarmersWeekly. In his role of Arable Insight Farmer for2024 his contributions were interesting to read and full of common sense. In his piecefor the September issue David spoke about the difficult season.Winter wheat suffered the deluge of October 2023 whilst the winter barley made malting quality despite the poor yields. The oats fared better. Good strawyields and strong prices have helped to overcome some of the lost grain income.
S.C.A. Merchandise
RugbyShirts
Navy Blue with a white collar and the Shuttleworth crest.
Available in XX Large, X Large, Large and Medium Sizes
Just £25 each inc p&p
Polo Shirts
This popular item features the Shuttleworth Crest on Navy Blue. £15 each including p & p
Available in XX Large, X Large, Large and Medium Sizes
Asuperb print of this beautiful Water Colour of the College viewed from the Warren and painted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Shuttleworth
Aselection of available Ties, £10 inc. P& P
Committee & Officers SCA2024
Chairman Tony Abbott NDA 65/67 Hants tonyabbott1@hotmail.co.uk
Vice Chairman Richard Infield ND 90/93 Beds richardjinfield@btconnect.com
Secretary Charlotte Scott ND/BF90/92 Bedfordshire charlotte_scott@hotmail.com
Treasurer Sarah Perrett HND 77/80 Somerset perrett_sarah@hotmail.com
Database Manager
Patrick Godwin HND 77/80 Somerset patrick.godwin@btinternet.com
Eric Yates Retired Staff Norfolk 3hunstanton@gmail.com
Mike Williams HND 77/80 Peterborough michael.williams19@sky.com
Claire Van Leersum HND 81/84 Cambs cgvanleersum@googlemail.com
Peter Homer Lecturer Northill Peter.homer@icloud.com
Bruce Ashworth HND79/82 Newark far_corkhill@hotmail.co.uk
Tim Durrant OND 76/79 Bedford tim.durrant100@gmail.com
Robert Cowper NDA 70/72 Rushden bob.cowper@hotmail.co.uk
Nick Badger HND 92/95 Cambs nickmbadger@yahoo.co.uk
President Charlotte Friefrau John Von Twickle
Vice Presidents
J.E. Scott, Bill Bedser, Eric Yates and Professor Mike Alder.
Secretary Charlotte Scott, Unwin Cottage,5 Pear Tree piece, Old Warden, Biggleswade, SG18 9FD. charlotte_scott@hotmail.com Tel: 01767 626311 Mobile: 07717862747
Newsletter Coordinator PaddyGodwin, Osier Cottage Thorney,Langport, TA10 0DT 07966 926274 patrick.godwin@btinternet.com
Website :- www.shuttleworthalumni.co.uk