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000 Social Knight Frank New March 14:Layout 1
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Knight Frank celebrates opening of new Stow-on-the-Wold Office
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On 13th February 250 guests joined the partners of Knight Frank to celebrate the opening of their new office in Stow-on-the-Wold. Rupert Wakley (Office Head) welcomed the guests and Atty Beor-Roberts (Regional Chairman) says ‘There was such a good atmosphere, everyone seemed to be enjoying the evening, it was just like a private party’. The party was held at Daylesford Organic Farm Shop who served delicious canapés and their own organic wines. Knight Frank have a particularly strong presence in the Cotswolds with existing offices in Cirencester, Cheltenham, Oxford and Stratford, all with direct links to their 22 offices in London. Photography by: Simon Foster 10
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1 Nick Chivers. 2 Gerard Knock. 3 Peter Dawson and Atty Beor-Roberts. 4 Claire Taylor and Liza Randall. 5 Leigh Glazebrook, Atty Beor-Roberts, Rupert Wakley and Claire Taylor – the Stow on the Wold Team. 6 Huw Davies. 7 Martyn Austin and Esther Austin. 8 Edward Hicks, Sarah Morton and Adam Smith. 9 Janet Piper, Merille Phillips and Colin Piper. 10 Rupert Wakley. 11 Harry Gladwin. 12 Atty Beor-Roberts. 13 Mr and Mrs Peter Strickland. 14 /15 Daylesford Hospitality. 16 Catherine Law, Nigel Butler and Lindsey Vaughan. 17 Leigh Glazebrook and Catherine Maher. 18 James Evetts and Peter Slatter
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000 Farming for the Future Foreword March 14:Layout 1
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© 2013 Will Harris - info@snapanimage.co.uk
Welcome With a word from Countess Bathurst We live on an Island nation, so it doesn’t take a genius to realise the importance of farming the land with due care and attention is just as vital as the prevention of over-fishing certain species in our home waters. We are truly blessed in Gloucestershire with extraordinarily diverse agricultural ground. The sheer quality is unrivalled and as a result, it proudly grows some of the very best produce in the UK. Farmers have an inbuilt and deep respect for the countryside and, as a community, play a huge role in its protection. In this county of Gloucestershire I truly believe you will find some of the most sensitive agronomy in the UK. Not only in the good times, but also the bad, our farmers will always place the integrity of their land first and foremost. Our home, The Bathurst Estate, totals some 16,000 acres of which 5,000 acres is farmed in hand by Cirencester Park Farms. In addition, we acquired Kemble Park Farms last year, adding another 2,500 acres and a 900 head strong dairy herd to the family fold – so farming is, quite simply, in our blood and our passion. Our main objective is to produce quality commodity arable crops, and milk,
as efficiently as possible, using economies of scale, a motivated workforce and modern, well maintained equipment. But whilst production is important, we also take our environmental responsibilities very seriously indeed, as we all should. We remain ever conscious of the need to ensure that future generations are left with an agricultural legacy that is both tenable and sustainable. It is a tough industry, make no mistake. With ever fluctuating markets, cheap imports and powerful supermarkets, British Farming fights to remain competitive. Not only that, but the effects of our clearly changing climate also play a part in the battle – the disastrous effects of the recent flooding in the South illustrate only too well how vulnerable we all are to Mother Nature. But with all this in mind, we must never forget that the future of farming in the United Kingdom is a collective responsibility and we need to work together as an industry, and as one, to not only maintain the sensitive management of the countryside, but to carry it safely forward for our children.
Plus a word from our Sponsor...
Researched and compiled by Rosie Webber & Eric Barton
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Agrii is fortunate to work with many of the UK’s leading farmers who strive to produce quality food for an ever growing population. But for many of our customers, their passion for the agricultural industry and for the countryside in which they live and work, runs far deeper than just a job. They invest time, energy and money to enhance the environment, support their local schools and communities and look after those who have served farming and now find themselves in need. As a
business that works in the countryside and serves the farming industry, we wanted to do something to champion the work our customers do that goes beyond ‘the day job’. Hence we are proud to support this Cotswold Style Magazine feature profiling local farming families/ businesses who combine professional food production with a strong social responsibility and raise awareness of a side to our great British farming industry that is often not given the recognition it deserves.
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Looking for something new this October? Foundation and Undergraduate Degree Courses We offer a range of career-focused foundation and undergraduate degrees. Our specialist courses combine academic excellence with practical application to ensure graduates have the skills needed for the employment market. Our students benefit form a worldwide alumni network and excellent career prospects, with our graduate employability presently topping 94%. Subject areas include: Archaeology Agri-business Equine Wildlife Conservation Business Management Rural Land Management Real Estate Food Supply Chains
Postgraduate Degree Courses The RAU offers postgraduate courses in diverse disciplines from food and agri-business to international real estate, equine science to sustainable agriculture. Providing students unique links with industry, established course programmes and outstanding academic reputation. Places still available for 2014 entry
Open days held throughout 2014 Booking essential through our website
Please contact us: admissions@rau.ac.uk Tel: 01285 652531, Cirencester, GL7 6JS
www.rau.ac.uk
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Passion for the Countryside
PHOTO COMPETITION Supports Rural Charities Agrii launched a photography competition to the farming community at LAMMA on 22nd January 2014. The competition is open to all and will support three rural charities through donations from Agrii. Entrants can submit as many photographs as they like, which they feel best reflect the theme of the competition: ‘A Passion for the Countryside’. For each person that enters, Agrii will make a donation to a central pot, which will be divided between three rural charities; the Addington Fund, The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and the Royal Highland Education Trust. Each charity is supported by an Agrii customer, who is directly involved with the organisation. “We are fortunate to work with many of the UK’s leading farmers who strive to produce quality food for an ever growing population. For many of our customers, their passion for the agricultural industry and the countryside in which they work runs far deeper than just a job. They invest time, energy and money to enhance the environment, support their local schools and communities and look after those members of the farming industry who need assistance.” says Mark Thomas, Head of Marketing at Agrii. “As a business that works in the countryside and serves the farming industry, we wanted to champion the work our customers’ do that goes beyond the ‘day job’. We felt a photography competition was a good way to raise awareness of these great causes and the value of our great British farming industry.” The competition has three categories; adult, under 16s and Agrii staff. The adult and under 16s categories will be
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judged by a panel of independent industry and charity representatives, who will select six finalists. The images from the six finalists will be displayed on the Agrii stand at Cereals 2014, where visitors can vote for the overall winner. The staff category will be judged separately. The overall winner of the competition will win a prize of £500 in electronics vouchers. The remaining five finalists will each receive £100 in electronics vouchers. All six finalists plus the winner of the staff category will have their image included in the Agrii 2015 calendar. Entries to the competition are via the Agrii website, www.agrii.co.uk, where entrants can also find full terms and conditions. Entries close on Monday 12th May at 5pm. Andrew Brealy, who farms 1,100 acres in Kent, is passionate about giving something back to the farming community by helping farmers and farm workers in great need, hardship or distress, through his involvement with The Royal Agricultural Benevolent
Institution (RABI). He says: “The worst can happen to anyone; but help is at hand from RABI.” “We turn our farm into an outdoor classroom to teach local children about food, farming and the countryside”, say Ian and Carole Brunton, from Fife, Scotland, who support The Royal Highland Educational Trust (RHET). The charity provides opportunities for school children in Scotland to visit the outdoors and learn about food, farming and the countryside. As a trustee of the Addington Fund, Al Brookes, farm manager at Waddesdon Estates in Buckinghamshire, is dedicated to increasing awareness of the plight of those in the farming community who need help, but who often don’t ask until it is too late. “The Addington Fund helps the older generation retire from farming without hardship and provides financial support for working farmers who need assistance in unexpected circumstances”, says Al. CS
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What is the value of your land? No matter how large or small, we can help you maximise the value of your farm. Let us show you the potential. Contact James Prewett for a free appraisal on 0844 225 9495. KnightFrank.co.uk/farms
Buckinghamshire 128 acres
Guide price £1,050,000
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Glos/Oxon border 1,024 acres
Worcestershire 147 acres
Guide price £2,500,000
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Worcestershire 5.51 acres
Guide price £12,500,000
Guide price £45,000
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Sold S old by by P ublic A uc t ion Public Auction
000 Farming for the Future James Maccurach Farmer March 14:Layout 1
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Bourton on the Water Farm A family affair Like many farms, business at Tagmoor is very much a family affair. Having been passed down through three generations, the Bourton on the Water farm is now run by Martin and James MacCurrach. Bought by James’ grandfather Major Peter MacCurrach in 1946, the business originally covered 88 acres and farmed sheep and cereals, before later introducing a dairy herd. James’ father Martin took to the helm in the 1970’s and farmed dairy cows until 1984. The dairy herd was later sold so the farm could concentrate on cereals, and a suckler herd of Charolais was introduced to graze the permanent pasture. After completing his degree at the Royal Agricultural College, James returned to Tagmoor to help run the
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farm. In 2007 James used stone from the farm to build his own house, Elm Cottage, where he lives with his wife, Anna, and three children. For James it is important that the Cotswold’s unique features are maintained. “In essence we are always trying to improve all aspects of the countryside around us to ensure it is kept for generations to come. Today Tagmoor is a mixed farm of cereals, wheat, barley, beans and oilseed rape with a thriving suckler herd of 50 cows and two bulls. James raises the cattle over two years on a grass-based diet to produce the finest quality, freerange beef that he sells through his acclaimed enterprise Love My Cow. Technology very much has a place in the inner workings of Tagmoor farm. At the moment the farm grows spring
“In essence we are always trying to improve all aspects of the countryside around us to ensure it is kept for generations to come.” barley and uses a computer programme to apply the right amount of fertiliser for the crop. James also uses a spray programme that will keep the crop healthy, allowing it to reach the malting specification required. According to James, technology will play a huge role in future farming and will aid a quicker response to the requirements that future markets will bring. CS www.lovemycow.com
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000 Farming for the Future Chavenage and Overbury DPS March 14:Layout 1
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Chavenage
Not just a farm
www.justineclaireweddingphotography.com
The world of farming has evolved so much over the last 100 years that any retrospective glance back will leave you in awe of what’s been happening. And that doesn’t include the recent application of strong science in today’s’ farming communities. You can trace some of the biggest changes through the advent of power, other than man and horse. Steam, then combustion put paid to many of the old ways of working. You might be forgiven for
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“You might be forgiven for thinking that farming as an occupation is ‘an old thing’ which is still ‘stuck in mud and using clapped-out old tractors’. You’d be dead wrong.”
thinking that farming as an occupation is ‘an old thing’ which is still ‘stuck in mud and using clapped-out old tractors’. You’d be dead wrong. Farming has come a long way and the change in science has made a huge impression. Over the last fifteen years, milk yields have increased by 33%, yields of wheat have increased by 1% and oilseed rape yields have increased by 12%. Chavenage Farm near Tetbury in Gloucestershire is set in 1700 acres of arable land and previously had a large dairy herd, which due to numerous TB outbreaks was broken up and the land given over to crops. Caroline Lowsley-Williams comments, ‘the farm has been in our family since 1891 and it is nothing short of an honour to be the custodians of this land and its properties’. Gone are the days of holding up a wet finger to test the wind direction as the satellite systems on farm machinery now do
that…and even plot the furrows to plough. Caroline goes onto further comment, ’many large farms these days employ contractors to do the majority of their work. We use contractors as they are up to date with all the latest science on crop husbandry, possible disease and yield. If we are to make the land work, then we must understand the science that needs applying. Long gone are the days of the trusty old family farm labourers and retainers’. This is in a sense is the influence that science has made to the huge differences in rural life and the farms that work the land today. To supplement the day to day activity of the farm at Chavenage they also open up their Manor House for weddings, corporate days and filming, which adds another income sphere to the activity on their land. CS www.chavenage.com
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Overbury Farm
A farming jewel in the North Cotswolds… Overbury Farms is a sheep and arable farm set on the historic Cotswold slopes of Bredon Hill on the Worcestershire Gloucestershire boarders. It’s been in the same family for over 250 years. Covering 1,538 hectares, it surrounds the picturesque villages of Overbury and Conderton. Penelope Bossom, owner of Overbury Farms, has a team led by Farm Manager, Jake Freestone. Jake manages five staff, one of whom is the full time shepherd. The farm team once had about thirty staff, now their numbers are down to four highly-skilled men. The larger machinery and new technology enables these men (who live on the estate) to carry out all the farming activities throughout the year. Again, this is the appliance of science making a difference. All five men have seen dramatic changes on the farm during their lifetimes, not least in the size and complexity of machinery. As machinery grew in power, the number of men required to do the work dropped. Simple. At Overbury Farms they grow wheat, barley, feed beans, oil seed rape and grass. The farm also allows other farming businesses to use some of their land and irrigation to grow spring
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“All five men have seen dramatic changes on the farm during their lifetimes, not least in the size and complexity of machinery.” onions, peas and potatoes. The soils range from thin Cotswold brash towards the summit of Bredon Hill, through to very light sand over-laying gravel below Overbury and Conderton, and heavy Lias clay soils south of the Carrant Brook. It’s this mix of differing soils that delivers the choices. The farm runs to almost 1000ft on the summit of Bredon Hill and has about 650mm of rain each year. Well, perhaps a bit more this year. Their 1100 strong sheep flock is made of up of North Country Mules and some homebred North Country Mules crossed with a Texel ram. They lamb in January and April as they want to provide lamb for their customers all year round. The ewes
have access to a range of different grazing depending on the time of year. Stubble turnips are used to fatten lambs during the winter months and to keep the ewes outside when there is little other feed available. The sheep also play an important role in the arable rotation…as mobile fertiliser spreaders. And at Overbury Jake even has a blog. Farming’s come a long way! CS www.overburyfarms.co.uk
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000 Farming for the Future Hamish Campbell Farmer March 14:Layout 1
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Swell Buildings Farm Hamish and Robert Campbell have been farming in the Cotswolds since 1998. Over the years, the family-run Swell Buildings Farm has evolved in many ways, including new business ventures and partnerships. Having formed a machinery joint venture, the Cotswold Farming Partnership, with neighbours including Countryfile’s Adam Henson, the business has managed to cut its power usage and machinery costs. The biggest area of development for Hamish and Robert has been their rapeseed oil business, R-oil. In 2005, the pair diversified into the production of cold-pressed rapeseed oil in order to maximise returns from growing rapeseed when commodity prices were beginning to make the growing of the crop unviable. As one of the first producers of rapeseed oil, R-oil is now distributing around 43,000 litres a month from its 1,500-acre farm. With a real emphasis on sustainability, the production of R-Oil is completely
“With a real emphasis on sustainability, the production of R-Oil is completely environmentally friendly”
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Growing year on year
environmentally friendly. All by-product is used as animal feed, so none of the original crop is wasted, and waste oil is collected from the catering trade and used as biodiesel to run their vehicles. In the future, Hamish and Robert would like to pass down the business to the next generation. “We would very much like for it to continue to be run as a family business, but one cannot control the future, so it will depend on the next generation.” Hamish believes that future farmers will have to work
closer with the end user in order to make sure their business is viable. Seeing a growing public demand for transparency in the food market, Hamish foresees that adapting to change will play a vital part in farming of the future.
CS
Swell Building Farm, Lower Swell, Stow On The Wold, Gloucestershire, GL54 1HG Tel: 01451 830254
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000 Farming for the Future Willans Edit March 14:Layout 1
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Meet the agricultural lawyer in a Gloucestershire law firm
As the fourth generation to take on Priory Farm, there is a lot riding on Max and Henry Pullin. Having been brought up on the farm, currently run by their father, David, the brothers are no strangers to the hard work and effort that goes into maintaining a 240 strong dairy herd. Originally bought by the brothers’ great grandfather in 1936, the closed herd farm has been passed down through the decades and now Max and Henry, aged 20 and 24 respectively, are heavily involved with the day-to-day running of the business. With its Saxon chapel and 15th century tithe barn, the land is shrouded in history. The unique setting attracts history enthusiasts hoping to get a glimpse inside the church, which is now over 1000 years old. To maximise the full potential of what the historic site has to offer, David moved his dairy herd into an enormous milking parlour in 2002, which allowed for the former barns to be converted into holiday
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landowners to multi-million pound estate owners. Frank is well known to many in the farming community and is a nationallyrecognised expert in agricultural law, equine and rural matters. UK legal
directories call him a “deal maker” and clients say he is a “trusted advisor”. He works closely with Willans’ private client and commercial teams to provide tax and estate planning advice to estates and landowners, advice on family and matrimonial transactions affecting farming families and those needing corporate or employment law assistance in a rural context. Frank says: “We are delighted to help promote the farming industry and the future of farming. Young farmers are an important part of the rural economy and are the next generation that will help to shape that future.”
Frank Smith went on location with the Cotswold Style team to meet two of his favourite farmers...
Max and Henry Pullin PHOTO: WWW.PHOTOGRAPHYBYSTEFANIE.CO.UK
Frank Smith is no ordinary lawyer. A typical day for him can include anything from taking clients’ instructions to sell, purchase or let agricultural land, drafting leases of shooting rights, or workers’ tenancy agreements and farm visits, to writing articles to keep the industry updated on changes in legislation and planning. His spare time is often spent in the country; he attends point-to-points, county shows, races and local hunts. Frank is a partner and heads the agriculture and estates department at Cheltenham-based law firm Willans LLP. He provides authoritative legal advice to farmers, farming partnerships, landowners, equestrian businesses and those buying and/or letting agricultural property. His clients range from small
cottages. Now the cottages are let for 80 per cent of the year, and even attract visitors from the other side of the world. City-dwellers, families and even hen
parties can all get a taste of country living at the farm in the beautifully renovated cottages with the opportunity to feed the cows themselves, and take picturesque strolls in the fresh country air. Max and Henry believe that this kind of diversification is becoming more popular and is, in some cases, becoming essential for farmers to stabilise their businesses. Like many farmers in the area, the brothers believe the Cotswolds’ scenic views and quaint villages are major attractions to visitors unaccustomed to countryside living. “People like coming to the Cotswolds to see the
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JessVaughan
Jess Vaughan’s grandfather originally moved to Hardwicke Farm in 1955, having served as a tank commander in the Second World War. Jess’ father, Mike, took over the business in 1986 to carry on the traditional low-input farming method, which led the business to gain full organic status in 2000. Now, the farm allows Jess to sell the milk under the aptly named, Jess’ Ladies Organic Farm Milk label. Jess’ passion for dairy farming was ignited as a toddler sitting in the milking parlour watching her parents milk the cows. Jess spent much of her childhood with her sister feeding the calves, exploring the farm and adopting lots of pets over the years. After completing her university degree she joined her father to work on the farm in 2002. Together they milk the cows personally every day,
and bottle the milk themselves at their own dairy on the farm, before delivering to various farm shops, independent delis, restaurants and health shops. Jess believes that by avoiding intensive farming methods, the organic, non-homogenised milk from the farm is tastier and offers more health benefits. Jess considers the traditional Vaughan way of maintaining a high standard of welfare and respect for
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the cattle to be the best method to ensure the tastiest end product. Having a small herd of 80 allows Jess and her father to continue to tend to the cows’ well being in many ways, including their diet. The ‘ladies’ graze on lush organic pasture in the summer months and high-quality organic clover silage harvested on the farm, in the winter. Jess’ careful consideration of the interaction between farming practices and countryside food chains makes for a harmonious co-existence between the ‘ladies’, the natural wildlife and farming. This attention to detail is what Jess sees as the most important way of ensuring happy cows and a delicious end product.
old Cotswold stone walls, all the old buildings and the villages.” As milk suppliers for Sainsbury’s, David, Max and Henry are required to ensure that the welfare of their cows is paramount, which acres of pastureland enable them to do. With Sainsbury’s wanting to reduce the carbon footprint of the milk they sell, the farm has become more environmentally friendly. Heat recovery units and ‘intelligent’ milking systems that only use the minimum amount of energy required have been set up to help to achieve a greener, more sustainable future; something Max and Henry believe is becoming increasingly important for farmers. “A lot of people are going into greener energy, so you’ll see a lot more solar panels, wind turbines, biomass boilers and things like that installed.” Having to learn the ropes of the milk business and the holiday cottages provide Max and Henry with a challenging yet rewarding future. Having a strong emotional connection to the site and their heritage, the boys will be sure to do their best to keep the businesses as successful as they are today. And although day after day of wind and rain can be trying, the pair “wouldn’t want to do anything else.”
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000 Farming for the Future Randall and Payne Edit March 14:Layout 1
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Farming for the future – an accountant’s viewpoint
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Tim Watkins is a Partner at Randall and Payne and has a passion for agriculture and Farming Left & Right: Nikki Cairns and Tim Watkins
WWW.GEORGIEPHAIRPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK
Farming, like most other industries, has gone through huge change over recent years. What does the future hold going forward? From an accountant’s point of view I see a number of challenges for farming for the future. Succession will always be a challenge. As the elder generation move towards retirement then there needs to be a handing over of the reins to the next generation, or, perhaps a sale. Retirement or sale can have huge tax consequences and care needs to be taken in dealing with assets as well as the business to make sure valuable tax reliefs are not lost along the way. Planning is therefore essential and needs reviewing regularly. But in the whirlwind of dealing with everything happening on the farm on a daily basis perhaps this does not get the priority it deserves. Our challenge will be to keep this on the agenda. Increasingly there is a need for more detailed information on trading performance, broken down to cover separate enterprises within the business. There are a number of software packages available which can provide this information. The reports produced depend very much on the detail the farmer wants and the detail put in. The future does need good information on which to base decisions and an understanding of what the software can do and how it can help with decision making is going to be essential. Decisions on capital expenditure and it’s timing have become important over recent years with surprisingly frequent changes in the financial limits for claiming tax relief. An allowance of £100,000 became £25,000, then became £250,000 and will become £25,000 at the end of the year if no changes are announced shortly. Will these limits change as frequently going forward? We don’t know but information is needed on profits to make sure capital expenditure
“Farming for the future will for many mean a harvest of a different kind, producing power for the farm and perhaps to feed in to the grid” is incurred in the period when tax relief is maximised. Why else might good financial information be needed? There have been a number of “once in a lifetime” events over recent years and we are being told to expect more of these going forward, whether in this country or overseas. The market place is global now. This year, again, many are dealing with floods. Tax is paid on past profits before the actual results for a year become known. Having early information on profits or otherwise for the financial year affected by such events can mean early action to prevent tax being paid when not necessary, in turn reducing the cash flow burden when times are not so good. Sometimes the effect of such events, if overseas for example, can be positive here and knowing the possible effect can aid the decision making process, for example whether or not to buy equipment.
Diversification has been taking place and will no doubt continue. Renewables have been the most recent addition to the scene. Farming for the future will for many mean a harvest of a different kind, producing power for the farm and perhaps to feed in to the grid. Where planning approval is needed perhaps this will be more forthcoming given weather events but tax planning is also needed again to make sure reliefs are not lost or impaired. Renewables are the not the only means of diversification available, there are plenty of other routes that farmers have gone down in the past and there will be others in the future. Often these have other consequences to just producing another income stream, sometimes adverse consequences, which can be dealt with by perhaps a new business structure. So from an accountants point of view farming for the future will mean continuous planning, regular contact with professionals before changes to make sure pitfalls are avoided and good information on which to base actions and decisions. Perhaps these have always been a requirement but the tools have not been as available. There is a saying in France that might sum this up, but I am not going there! Randall & Payne Accountants www.randall-payne.co.uk
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PHOTOS: WWW.GEORGIEPHAIRPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK
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Beautifully tough vehicles Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has announced some great offers on its most popular and iconic vehicles, available at Cheltenham and Gloucester Mitsubishi. The special deals are being offered on the rugged and reliable L200 pick-up, innovative Outlander SUV and the legendary 4x4 Shogun. You could be behind the wheel of a brand new Outlander for £249 a month – and benefitting from three years’ free servicing. Intelligent, economical and luxurious, the latest-generation Outlander is packed with clever technological features. It has achieved a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating; boasts best-in-class fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions; and is lighter, quieter and more refined than ever. What’s more, it offers impeccable ride comfort and handling. Another famous member of the Mitsubishi line-up, the legendary Shogun, is now a more attractive buy than ever. The seven-seater long wheelbase version of the car starts at just £28,599 with 0% APR. The Shogun has built up a reputation for being tough, reliable, perfect for towing with a go-anywhere
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off-road capability; and has won countless awards too. Appealing to drivers who demand a vehicle that can tackle the toughest and most inhospitable of terrains yet also deliver a thoroughly composed on-road drive, Shogun buyers can be sure that on top of being great off-road, the vehicle can meet the needs of families and business buyers. Another special deal means that the rugged and reliable L200 Warrior (manual) is available to business users for just £189 a month, plus VAT, until March 31st, 2014. For customers looking for the ultimate pick-up, there’s only one choice – Mitsubishi’s L200. It deserves that description for one very simple reason; it’s a vehicle that’s not only up to the job but goes beyond expectations. The go-anywhere pick-up is tough enough to tackle any terrain and comes with a five-year/125,000 mile warranty. And right now, customers at Cheltenham and Gloucester Mitsubishi can get behind the wheel at a special, reduced priced, starting at £14,999 plus VAT with 0% APR. Dale Bedwell, Brand Manager at
Cheltenham and Gloucester Mitsubishi, said: “We are delighted to let everyone know about the special offers that have just been introduced on L200, Outlander and Shogun. “These are incredibly impressive vehicles and form a strong line-up of great deals here at Cheltenham and Gloucester Mitsubishi. “We look forward to welcoming customers old and new and we will be happy to explain more about these exceptional vehicles.” CS For more information, call Cheltenham and Gloucester Mitsubishi on 01452 715870 or visit the showroom at 1 Vernon Court, Meteor Business Park, Cheltenham Rd E, Staverton, Gloucester GL2 9QG.
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000 Farming for the Future Farmers Wife Edit March 14:Layout 1
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The Diary of a farmer’s wife (or in my case, the wife of a farmer) Whatever you think a farmer’s wife should look like, think again! Farmers’ wives come in many different guises:
By Sarah Speakman
THE DOES-IT-ALL FARMER’S WIFE
She is married to the farm first and the farmer second. She will effortlessly manage the day-to-day running of the farm alongside the farmer; from meeting the bank manager to lambing ewes, or bedding down cattle sheds to tractor driving for any given task. She will have already planned tonight’s supper, as well as making lunch for all, looking after the multitude of muddy laundry as well. The housework may suffer and straw and hay may well be omnipresent in the home, but neither she nor the farmer mind very much, as every other need has been catered for by this very capable and hardworking superwoman who always wears trousers, except for weddings and funerals.
THE FARMHOUSE HOME-MAKER
She lives for her AGA, making and baking for her farmer-husband, her family and any visitors who may drop by. Her role is to look after them all as well as their home, and making sure their every need is met. Her harvest tea-in-the-field is the best by far (all the farm-workers agree) and her cakes and tray-bakes are second-to-none. She takes great pride in her garden too, which is as immaculate and well looked after as her home. She is well turned out, but rarely dressy, which is just how she likes it. She is kind and understanding and will never complain; she enjoys her life for she’s at the top of her game, leaving no family or farmhouse stone unturned. This means when the work is done, she has the time and freedom to pop into town, have lunch with a friend or play the occasional game of tennis.
MARCH 2014
THE WIFE OF A FARMER
She is different from the traditional farmer’s wife, predominantly because she doesn’t make jam, she wears pretty shoes and owns more than one handbag. She has had a successful career and now puts her economics degree to good use managing the farm accounts. She is a great cook and loves to entertain around the farmhouse table. She will always present many courses, showcasing her own culinary prowess as well as their farm’s own produce, while drinking home-grown sloe gin in ample quantity. She loves her family and she loves to make the most of everything her farm life has to offer. But the wife of a farmer likes the best of both worlds; she likes to have her home-made cake and eat it. Meaning she likes the finer things in life but loves equally the rough-and-ready farm lifestyle her world provides. Regardless of where you sit in the farm-wifery stereotypes, one thing is certain. You will, from time-to-time, need to get your hands dirty, whether that’s bottle feeding lambs, delivering late-night sustenance to hard-working farmers, shifting bales or simply whipping up a batch of Mary Berry’s flapjacks. It’s more than just being a wife; it’s a lifestyle choice, and one that should not be taken lightly. Farming, in particular livestock farming, is a 365 days-a-year challenge.
TOP 10 TIPS for a Farmer’s Wife 1. Be capable and practical; you never know when you may be called upon to help out. Being able to drive a tractor is desirable, but not essential! 2. Always keep the kettle warm and a cake in the tin; after a morning toughing it out in the wind and rain, every farmer needs a cup of coffee and a piece of cake when he comes in to dry off. 3. Own a proper pair of wellies. You will need them. 4. Understand the farm will always come first! 5. Expect to spend the summer by yourself, just you and the children; harvest can take many months and farmers will work through the night, day-in-day-out, when they can, to get it done. 6. Be frugal! Conspicuous spending is ill-advised and frowned upon by many farmers who have their eye on the latest Massey Ferguson! 7. Be ready to help move livestock at any time. It is said that many a farm marriage is made or broken moving sheep or cattle! 8. Be prepared for your slow-cooking beef to be usurped by a newborn lamb in need of TLC and gentle incubation in the bottom oven of the AGA. 9. All meals must be able to be delayed or brought forward at a moment’s notice! 10. Be prepared for your entrepreneurial farm diversification ideas to be dismissed utterly, but reappear, completely endorsed, as someone else’s idea at a later date!
And day or night there will always be work that needs to be done. This means weekends are out and holidays limited. But it is far from doom and gloom; yes, it’s tough for both farmer and wife, but what a playground for you and your children. Fields, ponds, woodlands and wildlife, all just there, all part of your back garden, calling you to stray from the footpaths that others cannot; and explore, build dens, light fires, toast marshmallows, catch tadpoles and follow animal tracks in the snow. What a wonderful life and I wouldn’t swap it for the world. CS
COTSWOLD STYLE 119