Desertdairy

On 24 February the Under 35s hosted the New Chairman’s Dinner, welcoming 54 current and new members to the Club for an evening of excellent food and even better company.

The evening began with drinks on reception, amused by a magician’s sleight-of-hand tricks.

New Under 35s Chair, Emily Pile, gave a short speech before introducing the wider Under 35s Committee who took up their positions this January.

We were treated to excellent food as usual, with Chef serving ox cheek for main, which was a particular favourite. With the long dining tables out for the first time since before the pandemic, there was plenty of opportunity to speak with new and old faces, which is always a joy.

With an added twist for this dinner, some members were assigned to move two places after the main course to further encourage everybody to meet and speak with one another. On feedback this was well received and I am sure we will look to replicate it at future events.

Vast dairy

After dinner, we were treated to a fascinating talk titled “Dairy in the Desert”. Alasdair Marshall gave a fascinating insight into the practicalities of setting up and maintaining a vast diary operation in deserts in the Middle East.

He provided ample background into what led to the farm’s development, an overview of the construction and farm operations as well as the challenges of setting up and managing a 23,000 head dairy farm in the Middle East – not least transporting dairy herds across thousands of miles of ocean to their new home!

Engaging questions

Needless to say, there were so many engaging follow up questions that the Club bar was closed long before we finished discussions! Alasdair provided fantastic photographs alongside the talk, which really helped us visualise and appreciate the work undertaken to setup and manage dairy herds in their not so natural habitat. Expect more dairy from the desert in the coming years!

With the Club bar closed, taxis rolled up Whitehall Court to whisk us away to Bunga Bunga in Covent Garden, an Under 35s staple!

It was fantastic to see so many in attendance and the Under 35s Committee hopes to see many more of you in the coming months, as we have an exciting programme of events lined up!

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Office Holders

HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTS

Barclay Forrest OBE, Sir Mark Hudson KCVO, Peter Jackson CBE, Mrs Susan Kilpatrick OBE, John Parker

THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CLUB 2023

VICE PRESIDENTS

Paul Heygate, Julian Sayers, Nicki Quayle

PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN

Meurig Raymond CBE DL

TRUSTEES

Tim Bennett (Chairman), Peter Jinman OBE, Jimmy McLean, Keith Redpath

VICE-CHAIRMAN

Richard Maunder

HONORARY TREASURER

Christopher Riddle

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN

John Lee OBE DL

CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND SECRETARY

Andrei Spence

CLUB CHAPLAIN

The Reverend Dr Sam Wells COMMITTEE

Elected 2020 to serve from 2021 to 2023 inclusive: Ian Bell OBE (re-elected), Tony Bell, Alan Plumb, Anthony Snell

Elected 2021 to serve from 2022 to 2024 inclusive: Stephen Butler, John Hardman (re-elected), Tom Rawson, Janatha Stout

Elected 2022 to serve from 2023 to 2025 inclusive: Sue Bullock (re-elected), Sarah Cowlrick (re-elected), Sophie Dwerryhouse, Nick Green, Lindsay Hargreaves, Mark Riches, John Wilson

Co-opted: Nick Green (Chairman, FCCT), Emily Pile (Chairman Under 35s), Andrew Court (Vice Chair Under 35s)

THE FARMERS CLUB CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES

Nick Green (Chairman), Vic Croxson DL, Meryl Ward MBE, Des Lambert OBE, Dr Jenna Ross OBE, James Squier, Christine Tacon CBE, The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Club (ex officio). Patron Mrs Stella Muddiman