Summer2008

A host of exciting things to do in

London Events over the next few weeks include: Now running: Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Adelphi Theatre Strand Tel: 0870 895 5598 Now running: The Lion King Lyceum Theatre Tel: 0870 243 9000 Now running: The Lord of the Rings Theatre Royal, Drury Lane Tel: 0870 890 6002 Still running: The Mousetrap St Martin’s Theatre West Street Tel: 020 7836 1443

Ongoing: Tate Modern Bankside, Holland Street Tel: 020 7887 8000 Still running: Mamma Mia! Prince of Wales Theatre Tel: 0870 850 0393 Ongoing: New Sculpture Galleries Victoria and Albert Museum Tel: 020 7942 2000 Always open: (except Christmas Day): London Zoo Meet the Animals Tel: 020 7722 3333 Open daily, 9.30am - 8pm: London Eye South Bank Tel: 0870 500 0600

While in the Capital why not stay, dine and relax at YOUR Club Remember, you can now book to stay on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights up to six months in advance

Preserving the beauty of Bowood Estate while meeting modern business needs Article and photos pages 12 - 13

To book to stay or dine at the Club call reception on

020 7930 3557 (Please note Club closure dates on page 23)

Dinner is now available from 6pm Monday to Friday

inside…

• Royal Show Pavilion details and entry slip (Thur 3 to Sun 6 July) • Committee nomination form Application form for: • Royal Welsh Show Dinner (Sunday 20 July) • CLA Game Fair Drinks Reception (Saturday 26 July) • Royal Berkshire Show Drinks Reception (Saturday 20 September)

For further events go to www.visitlondon.com More details about The Farmers Club at www.thefarmersclub.com

Please note your individual Club membership number, printed on your Journal envelope. You will need it to access the members’ section of the Club website at www.thefarmersclub.com

25

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS • Julian Sayers

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS • Julian Sayers

THE FARMERS CLUB Over 160 years of service to farming

A week becoming a long time in farming as well as politics

3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL

contents

Patron – Her Majesty The Queen

2 Chairman’s Comments Julian Sayers writes about the changing demands on farming, research funding, FACE, and the Club’s Charitable Trust and Pinnacle Awards.

4 Bowood Estate Visit Don Gomery describes the Club visit to Wiltshire, to look round Lord Lansdowne’s Bowood House and Gardens, which combines preservation of the beauty of a bygone age with the need to generate the money necessary to achieve this.

People seem to forget that farmers down through the centuries have produced food, managed the countryside and responded to the market place, albeit this has been influenced to a greater or lesser extent by Government and other policies. At times the latter have had a significant impact on the way in which individual businesses have been managed not always for the best in the long term.

6 Rebranded Dairy Event RABDF Chief Executive Nick Everington discusses how the rebranded Dairy Event and Livestock Show will be of service to the entire UK ruminant sector.

8 Speciality Food Oils George Chancellor looks into the opportunities available for British growers to take advantage of the rapidlyexpanding market for healthy food oils.

10 Royal Show 2008 Denis Chamberlain, RASE Director of Marketing and Communications, explains how Royal Show 2008 will tackle big issues facing rural industries.

12 St George’s Day Lunch Don Gomery reports on the Club’s St George’s Day Lunch and the thoughtprovoking talk by Vice Admiral The Hon Sir Nicholas Hill-Norton.

14 Agri-Food Charities Chris Lyddon tells how the recentlyformed Agri-Food Charities Partnership (AFCP) sees R&D and new entrants as farming priorities.

16 Stephen Skinner New Club Chief Executive and Secretary Air Commodore Stephen Skinner introduces himself to members, describing his career in the Royal Air Force.

17 Club Trip to Brazil Deputy Chairman John Reynolds gives a taster of what’s in store for members joining the Club visit to Brazil next February-March.

18 Juggling Three Jobs Under 30s member Hefin Williams explains what’s involved in the three jobs he juggles as research student, part-time lecturer and weekend farmer.

19 Chef’s Corner 20 Under 30s 21 Whitehall Court Ramblings 22 Information and Diary Dates Disclaimer: The articles published in The Farmers Club Journal do not necessarily reflect the views of The Farmers Club. No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in the magazine can be accepted by the publisher. Advertisements are included in ‘good faith’.

All rights reserved.

2

WELL, they say “a week is a long time in politics”, but I wonder whether the same is not becoming true in the world of farming.

The changing demands being placed on the industry are coming to the fore faster than ever before from our political leaders and the public at large. We have moved from being asked to care for the environment, with the production of food as almost a secondary activity in the eyes of some, to taking on board the demand for alternative sources of fuel before heading back to our roots and ensuring that people can be fed in a very short space of time.

In just 48 hours The Daily Telegraph recently printed a number of banner headlines relating to food production, including “Families’ annual grocery bill rises by £800” and “Food shortages: how will we feed the world?”

The articles below highlighted the amount which consumers are now having to spend on food compared with twelve months ago, a subject which has brought comment from many quarters, including the Prime Minister, together with a supply situation which some have described as being the most severe since the Second World War. There was also reference to terminology such as “a silent tsunami”, which one expert suggested was threatening the lives of millions around the world with starvation.

No one knows what the outcome will be, but with food riots in Egypt, Senegal, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Madagascar and elsewhere, concern is growing day by day.

These issues need to be addressed, but with level heads, rather than short-term panic measures which will not provide longterm solutions.

Talk of rising food costs and shortages in supply can easily scare politicians and consumers alike. They need to recognise that UK agriculture can deliver, particularly when there are profits to be made and, as a result, funds available for reinvestment and the all important process of business development.

Having said that, agriculture remains a long-term business, and supply cannot be turned on and off like a tap, given the life cycle of livestock and crop enterprises alike. We must, therefore, constantly remind others - and particularly those formulating policy - not to seek ‘a quick fix’, as this is unrealistic when it comes to food production.

Research budgets Bearing in mind the comments above I was interested to read the report of the Downing Street Food Prices Summit hosted by the Prime Minister, Alistair Darling, Douglas Alexander and Hilary Benn - just after writing the first draft of my Chairman’s Comments. There was a great deal said about the international situation, which is understandable.

However, on the domestic front, to talk about introducing “new funds for agricultural research over the next five years” could be said to be shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.

Many organisations, including The Farmers Club, have been emphasising the need - at least in real terms - to maintain rather than cutting research budgets in the way we have seen on a considerable scale in recent years.

On a positive note, it was my pleasure to host a lunch for representatives from Farming and Countryside Education

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

(FACE), chaired by Sir Don Curry together with MDs and senior staff from a number of the major retailers and food processors.

This provided an opportunity for the organisation to explain the success of the Year of Food and Farming thus far, and to explore how those present might help to ensure that this invaluable work continues for many years to come.

There is clear evidence that children who have been involved in farm visits and projects facilitated by FACE have begun to understand the way in which their food is produced. In turn, they have influenced their parents.

We have a great story to tell, and we need to ensure that consumers of the future understand about food technology and how farmers can feed the population of tomorrow.

Admirable awards I recently had the privilege of joining the interview panels for both the Club’s Charitable Trust bursaries and the annual Pinnacle Awards. This has meant spending time with those who are teaching the next generation of farmers and those who will be entering allied industries, as well as young people themselves.

I was impressed by the calibre of the applicants and the wide range of subjects they wish to study for the benefit of UK agriculture and the wider rural economy.

The bursaries awarded by the Charitable Trust will see six agricultural staff from universities and colleges around the country heading off on short-term study tours, the results of which will be reported in subsequent editions of the Journal and, hopefully, elsewhere.

Meanwhile, the winner of the Gold Pinnacle Award, Andrew Woollacott, who is currently studying at the Royal Agricultural College, together with the other seven winners, impressed the judges with their innovative business strategies for a wide range of rural enterprises. Many thanks to the Cave Foundation and ADAS for their financial and administrative support for these awards.

Andrew Woollacott Capitol Cider business plan wins Pinnacle Gold Andrew Woollacott, of The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, is the winner of this year’s Farmers Club Pinnacle Awards, co-sponsored by ADAS, funded by the Cave Foundation, and designed to reward students planning to work in rural-based industries, whose practicallybased management projects were entered by their college or university as of the highest standard.

Judging of the eight finalists took place at the Club in April, when Andrew - the third Cirencester winner in the 11 years of the award - was judged Gold Student, receiving £1,250 for both himself and his college, a framed certificate, the Nickerson Cup and Club membership for a year. He is seen here (centre), after the presentation, with Chairman of judges Professor David Leaver (left) and fellow judge and Club Chairman Julian Sayers.

The Silver prize went to Matthew Kingdon and the Bronze to Adam Brown, both of Harper Adams University College.

I was honoured to be invited to the Thanksgiving Service for the Renewal of St. Martin-in-the-Fields - held in the company of HRH the Prince of Wales, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London following completion of the £36 million restoration programme. It was a very moving occasion and a true celebration of all the Church has achieved and will achieve for a wide community of people.

As many of you will know, the Reverend Nicholas Holtam, the Vicar of St. Martin’s, is our Club Chaplin and he recently explained to me how the programme will enable the Church to better serve those in greatest need and to enrich peoples lives through worship, social care and the renowned musical performances.

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008

I would strongly encourage any members who have time while staying at the Club to visit this magnificent Church, which, in terms of the current building, dates back to 1726, to see what has been achieved over the past two years.

Testimonial Fund I have been asked by Grieve Carson to pass on his sincere thanks to all those who contributed towards the fund to mark his retirement from the Club earlier this year.

Members will appreciate he cannot write to everyone concerned, but in his letter to me he said “perhaps you would kindly consider expressing my heartfelt appreciation in your next Journal article”, which I am pleased to do.

3

BOWOOD ESTATE • Don Gomery

BOWOOD ESTATE • Don Gomery

Preserving the beauty of Bowood Estate while meeting modern business needs

The Sculpture Gallery

Such attractions, as Lord Lansdowne explained, are all geared to the overall philosophy of providing interest to people of all ages. “During my 35 years custodianship of Bowood, our objective has been to protect this remarkable place while, at the same time, harnessing its unique resources,” he said. “It’s a fine balance between conservation and commerce.”

Since the opening of his house to the public in 1975, Lord Lansdowne has introduced and developed the Bowood Golf and Country Club, with an 18-hole championship course designed by Dave Thomas, architect of The Belfry. The clubhouse (where members enjoyed a buffet lunch) is a former 18th century farmhouse, which, as well as serving individual golfers, is used for corporate and society golf days, and can provide banqueting facilities for up to 200 people at weddings, meetings, conferences or private functions.

James Stewart, General Manager of the Bowood Golf and Country Club

‘WILTSHIRE’S hidden treasure’ is how the guide brochure describes Bowood House and Gardens… and treasure, indeed, it is, as all 80-plus Farmers Club members and their guests agreed when, in brilliant sunshine, they spent a day at this magnificent country estate, near Calne, in early May as a guest of the ninth Marquis of Lansdowne.

The house itself is an awe-inspiring Georgian stately home which has been lived in by the Lansdowne family since 1754 and open to the public (from mid-March to the end of October) since 1975. An added attraction to this jewel of a house is that it nestles within beautiful parklands designed

by Capability Brown in the 1760s.

No surprise, then, to be told by Lord Lansdowne - who welcomed his Farmers 4

Enjoying the Rhododendron Walks

Building of the new Hotel and Spa complex

Club guests personally and led one group in a tour of the house and formal gardens that several million people had visited Bowood since it was opened to the public.

the great Lansdowne collection of paintings and sculptures; its neo-classical-style chapel, library and Dr Joseph Priestley’s laboratory (where oxygen was discovered in 1774); the sculpture gallery; and rooms devoted to exhibitions of life in Georgian times, Indian and Burmese art, Victoriana, Napoleonic treasures, and the like. All breathtakingly beautiful.

“My wife and I get enormous pleasure from sharing this oasis of peace and beauty with our visitors,” he said. “Without their continued support, we couldn’t manage to maintain the house and gardens in their present condition.

“Our philosophy has been to try and provide something of interest for all ages.

We’ve developed the opening of the house and gardens to preserve their historical distinction, while at the same time making it fun , exciting and interesting to visit.”

Alas, space here does not permit great detail to be given of the history and magnificence of Bowood House… its gorgeous Adam orangery, which has been converted into a gallery to display part of

Outside, too, the glorious 2,000-acre Capability Brown-designed parkland surrounding the house has got to be seen to be believed, encompassing almost every period of English garden design from the early Georgian period onwards. Close to the house are magnificent terraces built in the 1800s by the third marquis to remind him of Italy; bedecked with majestic sculptures and sparklingly beautiful flower beds best seen, as Club members did, in full bloom.

Following an early morning tour of the

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

Club members were taken to see both the Forest Gate Business Park and the building of the new hotel and spa Destination Resort, as well as being given an hour to wander amid the 60 acres of breathtaking vistas of colour and beauty provided by the floral oasis of rhododendron walks, initially planted by the third Marquis of Lansdowne in the 1850s and containing many rare species.

house and terraced gardens, members were free to explore further afield, many making their way to a most stunning adventure playground for children aged under 12 (an age limit ignored by several Club members!), complete with an extensive complex of slides and catwalks above a play area of swings and trampolines and a huge pirate ship built from estate timber. Nearby, themed rooms make exciting venues for children’s parties.

Queenswood Lodge, located in the centre of the golf course, is billed as “providing the perfect retreat”, with four en-suite bedrooms, sitting room, dining room and study. Rates include afternoon tea on arrival, four-course dinner, full English breakfast, two complimentary rounds of golf, and entry to Bowood House and gardens from mid March to October.

Club Chairman Julian Sayers

hotel and spa development currently under way and due to open in spring next year.

The hotel will have 43 bedrooms, six of which will be suites, an open-plan theatre kitchen with restaurant, three lounges with open fires and a modern, contemporary cocktail bar, while the spa will consist of a 19m pool, a hot pool, rock sauna, crystal steam and artic/tropical rain showers and a state-of-the-art gymnasium.

“A truly great and comprehensive Destination Resort is being created in this beautiful part of Wiltshire,” James Stewart said. “Whether a corporate booker, hotel agent, golf operator, conference organiser or an individual client, Bowood can accommodate your business and leisure requirements.”

Lord Lansdowne described the hotel and spa project as “the next piece of the intricate jigsaw puzzle that is Bowood Estate”, going on to claim it as “by far the most challenging, both in terms of resources and expertise”.

All too soon, it seemed, it was time for tea, before departing by car or coach to make the 30-mile journey back to Blunsdon House Hotel, near Swindon, for a fourcourse dinner hosted by Julian and Sarah Sayers and addressed with interest and humour by William Cumber, son of Club Chairman John Cumber (1958) and grandson of William J Cumber, Chairman during the WWII years of 1939-45, the only man to serve in that office for more than two years and who, in grateful thanks, has a room named after him at Whitehall Court.

• More details of Bowood House and Gardens, plus all of its other attractions, can be obtained by calling the Estate Office on 01249 812102, by emailing houseandgardens@bowood.org or by visiting www.bowood.org • Day two of the Club visit to Wiltshire, to see the 700ha arable/dairy family farm of Club member Richard Butler and his son David, as well as the new 500-cow dairy unit of Tom Maidment, will be featured in the Harvest Journal.

Over buffet lunch, Club Chairman Julian Sayers, who acts as the Consultant Agent for the Estate, described the ‘Master Plan’ which his firm, Adkin, devised. This lead to the securing of consent for the development of 50 new houses on the edge of Derry Hill Village, contrary to Local and Regional Planning Policy. The sale of the site has provided funds to pump prime the hotel development, as well as a range of benefits for the local community. In turn the hotel will generate surplus income to help maintain the Estate’s historic house and grounds.

By adopting a holistic approach in planning for the future everyone is set to gain.

This was followed by a presentation by James Stewart, General Manager of the Bowood Golf and Country Club, on the new

Main picture: Lord Lansdowne shows Club members round the terraced gardens.

Insert: William Cumber was guest speaker at dinner.

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008

5

THE DAIRY EVENT AND LIVESTOCK SHOW • Nick Everington

THE DAIRY EVENT AND LIVESTOCK SHOW • Nick Everington

The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers officially re-launched the Dairy Event in the House of Lords earlier this year. RABDF Chief Executive Nick Everington discusses how the re-branded Dairy Event and Livestock Show will offer comprehensive technical, business and financial information for the entire UK ruminant sector.

A must to see at this year’s event…

New exhibitions on:

Re-launched Dairy Event and Livestock Show geared to serve needs of entire ruminant sector FOR MORE than 130 years, RABDF has been proud to organise the UK’s leading event in the dairy sector, the two-day business-to-business fixture staged at Stoneleigh Park in September. The last event, held in 2006, attracted more than 400 trade exhibitors and over 13,000 visitors, with representatives from at least 30 countries.

In the dairy sector, we are welcoming new exhibitors who supply farmers, vets and processors, in particular those with innovative products. The new beef, sheep, commercial goat and native breeds exhibitions will each attract companies supplying products and services, some of which will appeal throughout the ruminant sector, while others will be more specific.

However, we are aware, from extensive research carried out at previous Dairy Events, that the majority of our visitors manage more than just dairying as a livestock enterprise: Some 40% of our visitors farm beef cattle, 28% sheep, and 13% sucklers. In addition there is a small, yet fast growing, commercial goat farming sector that regularly attends the event.

We are also encouraging exhibitors from each sector offering breeding stock, semen and embryos. The UK remains the stockyard of the world and the event presents an appropriate opportunity to showcase our genetics to both UK and international visitors.

To compete in an increasingly competitive global marketplace, we believe that livestock producers need to be equally efficient in all their enterprises, not just their key business of dairying. To do this requires time and effort to keep up to speed with the latest technical developments in these different areas.

Nick Everington

Furthermore, our exhibitors will benefit from this new event. More than 75% of them already market products for beef, sheep and goat farmers, as well as dairy.

By broadening the scope of the event, they will be able to promote a wider range of their products to a much larger visitor audience.

As for new visitors, we would like to attract more dairy farmers and herd managers, particularly those who do not regularly attend, together with all beef, sheep and goat farmers who would benefit from meeting exhibitors relevant to their business.

6

Last, but by far not least, our overseas guests. The Dairy Event has previously attracted more than 300 overseas visitors from some 30 countries, with a subsequent 53% of exhibitors reporting inquiries from international contacts.

We are promoting the event via commercial attaches at British Embassies in key livestock countries. Overseas groups will be offered the added opportunity of visiting the region’s leading livestock farms and manufacturing plants.

In addition, RABDF is involved in various European-funded projects and we are already promoting the Event to our fellow partners.

The ruminant sector has experienced enormous challenges for more than a decade. The Dairy Event and Livestock Show 2008 presents an opportunity to show-case this technically-advanced and highly-sophisticated sector, not only industry-wide in the UK, but also globally.

We agreed that here was an opportunity to expand the Dairy Event to take in all ruminant sectors. It would be designed not only to supply the latest technical, marketing and financial information and advice to farmers, but also help to build much needed collaboration throughout the food chain.

While dairying will remain at the heart of the event, with competitive dairy cattle classes continuing as a key feature, this year we are working in close association with the National Beef Association, the National Sheep Association, the British Goat Society and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. We are currently developing specific exhibitions for their respective sectors beef, sheep and commercial goats together with commercial native breeds, in order to broaden the scope of the event and enable livestock farmers with multispecies enterprises to obtain all the information they need from attending this one event.

In addition, we will be encouraging farmers to bring along their wives or partners, who we are well aware play a significant role in managing the business. Herd managers and stock people will also be encouraged; the two-day fixture makes it practical to alternate attendance with their employer.

• The Dairy Event and Livestock Show will be held at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, on 17-18 September. For further information visit www.dairyevent.co.uk or call 0845 458 2711.

Beef Production. Beef from the Dairy Herd has proved to be an exhibition of interest for the 4,000 visitors to the Dairy Event who also manage a beef enterprise.

This year, RABDF is expanding that exhibition and offering features of interest to all beef producers, those with pedigree herds and both suckler and finishing enterprises. Organised by RABDF in association with NBA and sponsored by EBLEX, it will focus on areas for cost saving and improving efficiency.

Sheep Production. This new technical exhibition will be of interest not only to the 3,000 dairy producers who farm sheep and already attend the event, but all those solely with a commercial sheep enterprise.

Organised by RABDF in association with the NSA, it will feature grassland management, nutrition and solutions to animal health issues, together with the latest sheep ID and handling systems.

Native Breeds for Modern Needs.

Dedicated to promoting the benefits of Britain’s native breeds to commercial livestock producers, this new exhibition will be organised by RABDF in association with the RBST. It will feature cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, demonstrating their role in land management schemes together with opportunities for high-quality, added-value products.

Commercial Goats. The dairy goat product sector has expanded by 20% year-on-year since 1997 and is currently worth £50m annually. RABDF has recognised that this is a fast-growing sector and one which imports more than 60% of the total 50 million litres of milk a year. Working with the British Goat Society, RABDF is developing an exhibition that offers technical and marketing information to help both existing and prospective commercial producers exploit this market.

New technical exhibitions:

“We recognise the event offers numerous opportunities for business, and we are pleased that, working with The Farmers Club, we are able to offer this additional relaxed venue in a prominent location,” says Nick Everington.

Tele-handler demonstrations. Visitors will be able to observe and compare telehandler and tractor loader models from up to 10 different companies as they are put through their paces moving muck, stacking bales, loading trailers and lifting fertiliser bags throughout the two-day event.

Farmers Club Chief Executive Air Commodore Stephen Skinner adds: “Many of our members attend this important business-to-business event. We welcome and encourage them to use this new facility.”

Farm Health Planning Demonstrations.

Supporting Farm Health Planning, the industry-led partnership with Defra, this

New RABDF and Farmers Club Members Business Lounge The RABDF Farmers Club lounge will provide a new facility for the organisations’ respective members.

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008

series of demonstrations will focus on some of the key issues affecting livestock farmers, including lameness, fertility, mastitis, youngstock health, purchased stock issues and profitable disease control.

Some of the country’s leading large animal vets from BCVA will be on hand to give good sound practical advice to dairy, beef and sheep farmers, with support from companies in the animal health and supply industries.

A return of popular exhibitions on: Diversifarm. Once again to be staged jointly by RABDF and its sponsor, the Country Land and Business Association, this will provide information on a broad spectrum of farm diversification activities, including the opportunities for anaerobic digestion, biomass and wind power generation. Advice and support will be available to enable farmers to find out how to exploit their existing farm assets to create a new income stream and boost revenue from non-food enterprises The Forage for Livestock Exhibition. This exhibition will offer all livestock farmers advice on how to make more efficient use of their home-grown forages. It will feature a soil surgery supported by Kingshay Farming Trust and a silage clinic supported by Sciantec Analytical.

Mixer Wagon Demonstrations.

The popular complete diet feeder demonstrations - rated by visitors as one of the top features that farmers come to see will continue to be among the event’s main activities. Sponsored by John Deere, these demonstrations will feature companies representing all the main types of mixer wagon available.

MilkMade. Another exhibition established in response to farmers’ interest in creating new income streams. Sponsored by Dairy UK, this RABDF-organised exhibition will once again enable farmers and processors to find out more about milk processing, packaging facilities and cool storage technology, as well as obtaining advice on business planning, market research and final decision-making.

DairyCo Exhibition. DairyCo will be informing all producers how it is making their levy work hard to help improve herd efficiency and achieve subsequent returns.

7

SPECIALITY FOOD OIL • George Chancellor

SPECIALITY FOOD OIL • George Chancellor

Club member George Chancellor looks into the opportunities available for British growers to take advantage of the rapidly-expanding international market for healthy food oils.

There’s a profit to be made from speciality food oil production SPECIALITY oilseed rape production for food oil is set to expand in a major way in the coming few years following two seasons of successful commercial growing in the UK and attractive returns from a fastgrowing market.

Healthy demand Driving this demand is the realisation that trans-fats arising from the hydrogenation of unsaturated vegetable oils to improve their food processing value actually carry greater health risks than the saturated fats they were designed to replace, explains Geoff Hall of the UK’s leading oilseed rape breeder, Dekalb He stresses that a growing tide of legislation – initially to force trans-fat levels to be declared on food labels and, subsequently, to ban their inclusion altogether – coupled with mounting public pressure, is leading major food manufacturers and retailers across North America and Europe to commit themselves to reducing or eliminating them.

“Among the businesses leading this move here in the UK are all the major supermarkets, food manufacturers such as Kellogs, Masterfoods, Nestlé, Unilever and United Biscuits, and the fast food retailer, Macdonalds,” he points out. “All of which means an attractive and rapidly growing market for speciality HO,LL crops bred to 8

“Now is a golden opportunity to get into HO,LL growing,” says David Neale. “The market is established, looking for a good four times the acreage contracted last autumn and prepared to pay well for it with fixed premium contracts.

“As a low biomass type with very good disease resistance, we’ve found Splendor as easy to grow and harvest as Castille,” he says.

“Land that hasn’t grown oilseed rape for several years is ideally suited to an initial crop to avoid non-HO,LL volunteer problems compromising oil quality. So it really shouldn’t be wasted on an ordinary double low or a High Erucic Acid Rape (HEAR) crop for industrial use.

From just 750 ha in 2006, the area of Vistive High Oleic, Low Linolenic (HO,LL) oilseed rape harvested in 2007 grew to around 4,000 ha. More than 250 growers currently have some 9,000 ha of the speciality winter OSR in the ground on contracts delivering fixed premiums of £44 a tonne.

But this isn’t even scratching the surface of industry demand for the healthy oil, which minimises the level of harmful trans-fats in a wide variety of food products while maintaining the highest possible levels of poly-unsaturates. Indeed, UK crushers are currently looking to contract up to 30,000 ha of Vistive HO,LL cropping for harvest 2009, rising to 60,000 ha for 2010 and, ultimately, 200,000 ha a year.

stage in seedbed preparation; establishing an optimum population of 40-50 plants/m2; maintaining good slug and pigeon control; keeping well on top of diseases such as phoma and pests like flea and pollen beetle; gearing nitrogen fertilisation and growth regulation to Green Area Index; being prepared to apply sulphur routinely; and managing harvesting effectively with welltimed pre-harvest Roundup.

especially if the drilling date, seed rate and other agronomic lessons of our national Best of British Oilseeds Initiative are fully applied. We’ve also found the variety to be relatively trouble-free to grow.

“All the more so because once HO,LL growing is established in a rotation this quality consideration becomes far less, since any volunteers will be of the right oil type.”

Agronomic essentials

Geoff Hall with Vistive HO,LL oil in a Splendor crop

deliver the required unsaturated oil quality naturally without hydrogenation or costly alternative processing.

“The extent of this market is crystal clear from recent experience in North America, which has led the way in controlling transfats. In the first year of their commercial availability, 2005, around 100,000 acres of Vistive low-linolenic soyabeans were grown on contract in a single state. This increased to 700,000 acres in six states the following year, while in 2007 fully 1.6 million acres were harvested in no less than 10 states.”

UK opportunities With the most extensive Vistive growing experience in Europe and the proven ability to produce and deliver quality, identitypreserved crops, David Neale of Masstock Arable has no doubt that UK growers are currently best placed to take advantage of the developing speciality food oil market this side of the Atlantic.

What is more, their commercial experience clearly shows that the required oil quality is eminently achievable under far less rigid rotational and agronomic constraints than originally recommended.

“To earn the trust of the crushers and food industry from the start we had to more

than meet their key oil quality requirements,” he notes. “Linolenic acid levels of less than 3-4% have always been their primary need. So, knowing the extent to which normal double low volunteers could compromise this, we made sure the first crops were grown either on virgin oilseed rape ground or after a break of at least four years from the crop.

“We also ensured Vistive crops were grown at least 50 metres away from other oilseed rapes, took particular care to minimise volunteers through agronomy and were especially diligent in cleaning drilling, harvesting and storage equipment.

“Pre-movement analysis of our crops and those conducted by ADM ahead of crushing, show we have been able to deliver handsomely on the quality front,” he adds. “Indeed, to date not one of our crops has failed to earn the full premium.

This gives us the confidence to relax the requirements for getting into the crop somewhat.

“What is more, our commercial SMART Farm and customer experience with the first Vistive variety, Splendor, over the past two seasons indicates it can be made to yield far closer to double lows than historic official trial data would suggest…

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

At Grainfarmers, farm business manager Chris Stevenson is equally convinced of the opportunity that speciality oilseed rape offers to a growing number of UK producers.

“Our experience has taught us that virgin OSR land isn’t essential to get into Vistive growing,” he says. “Equally, we feel initial crops can meet the critical maximum linolenic spec after only a three-year break from other rape types, providing the agronomy is spot on.”

While linolenic acid levels can theoretically be influenced by pollen from other rape crops grown nearby, Chris Stevenson and his growers haven’t found such contamination presents a problem either.

Even so, to be safe, they still aim to grow their Vistive crops in blocks, wherever possible, and not immediately adjacent to double lows or HEAR.

Chris Stevenson

important anyway. This is particularly so, as we know them to be perfectly capable of delivering 3.5-4.0 tonnes per hectare with good agronomy, putting them very much on a par with what most growers can achieve from conventional double low varieties.”

Chris Stevenson’s experience with Splendor leaves him convinced that, as a relatively slow developer, the right agronomy for the variety means giving it priority at the start of OSR drilling, from around August 20. He advises getting it in the ground before September, wherever conditions permit.

As with all winter rapes, Chris recommends avoiding autocasting to get the most out of the crop; conserving moisture at every

“Following harvest, of course, you must identify and store it separately from other rape types, and take care to avoid crosscontamination in storage. The crop then has to be held until the crusher is ready to process it. With our central storage network allowing movement off farm at harvest, though, this doesn’t present any difficulties.”

Speciality oilseed rape may not be for everyone. But the market is clearly there, and both David Neale and Chris Stevenson are convinced that those prepared to do more than merely grow the biggest, lowestcost heap of produce are likely to find HO,LL growing will stand them in particularly good stead in the future, beyond mere commodity crop production.

Anyone looking for a valuable alternative to sugar beet in their rotation, they add, should also find it fits the bill very well.

• For more information on speciality food oil opportunities see www.visitive.co.uk, call 01223 849540 or e-mail technical.helpline.uk@monsanto.com

“Apart from anything else, keeping them in blocks makes effective hygiene at drilling and harvesting very much simpler and the whole business easier to manage,” he notes. “Minimising shedding losses in previous oilseed rape crops, followed by good volunteer management throughout the rotation, is only good practice, too… as is subsoiler OSR sowing to limit soil moisture loss and restrict both weed and volunteer germination.

“With the £44 per tonne Vistive premium likely to make the crops we have in the ground worth well over £350 a tonne this season, doing them as well as possible is www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008

Splendor combining at Shepherd Partnership 9

ROYAL SHOW 2008 • Denis Chamberlain

ROYAL SHOW 2008 • Denis Chamberlain

Education, alternative energy, working heavy horses and a conference programme that really tackles farming’s big issues… that’s what’s in store when the Royal Show opens its gates for its new Thursday to Sunday format from 3 - 6 July. Past Club Chairman Denis Chamberlain, RASE Director of Marketing and Communications, tells Journal readers of the values to be gained by visiting this premier event.

Royal Show 2008 set to tackle big issues facing our rural industries HUGE efforts are being put in to make certain that Royal Show 2008 is an event that reflects some of the new-found optimism in British farming.

The event will seek to strike the right balance between providing a great mid-summer day out for everyone connected with rural Britain while at the same time presenting technical and commercial information to help inform some of the key decisions facing farmers in the 21st century.

Throughout its run – but particularly on Thursday and Friday – the Royal Show will tackle the big issues. The seminar programme, concentrated into the first two days, will focus on the emerging arguments in favour of GM crops; issues facing producers wanting to access key markets in the food service and retail sectors; and help identify the winners and losers in the commodity price boom.

These issues will spill over into the avenues and streets, exhibition halls and special areas. As usual, all the major supermarkets will be there, talking to farmers and consumers, presenting their case for the role they play in today’s ever more challenging food chain.

This year, the Royal is making a massive

effort to connect the nation’s school children with the real world of farming and food production. With 4,000 school children making the annual visit to the Royal Show at Stoneleigh, it’s good news that three of the country’s major food retailers have put aside High Street conflict and are sponsoring the show’s Education Trail and associated initiatives.

“The Royal Show is tailor made to promote the industry to the next generation of consumers,” says Show Director Simon Frere-Cook. “Everything is covered.

“We traditionally stage the nation’s biggest display of livestock. The Food Hall and Farmers Market make the link to consumers, while special features on countryside conservation, alternative energy, water management and livestock exports demonstrate just how the economics of rural England work.

“The Royal has the potential to be the nation’s biggest rural classroom.”

The 2008 Royal comes at the end of the Year of Food and Farming, in which show organisers, the Royal Agricultural Society of England, have taken a central role, hosting a number of events and managing the national budget. The Royal Show will provide a launch pad for the legacy of

YFF… a continuing stimulus to bring education and farming closer together.

There will also be plenty to keep the other generations busy at the revamped Royal.

Retail areas are particularly strong with motoring, rural crafts, the food hall and a new Farmers Market area all presenting more choice to show goers than ever before.

As usual, horses will be a huge Royal Show attraction. Special features this year include a class for Retraining of Racehorses, plus a new equine ring to further expand the attraction of this sector.

Pupils at Thomas Alleyne High School, Uttoxeter, on the school farm.

They will be heading for the Royal on 3 July.

Stimulating the minds of the next generation Stoneleigh from the Thomas Alleyne High School at Uttoxeter, Staffs, and is convinced that they will get a huge amount from the day.

But the equine area is not just for showing classes. Every day, different demonstrations on all aspects of horse management will be featured, with 2008 seeing the introduction of the Heavy Horse Village, strongly supported by all four heavy horse breed societies – Suffolk, Shire, Clydesdale and Percheron. There will be daily demonstrations on braiding and harnessing, as well as displays showing the horses at work.

“Students taking GCE and A level exams in general science, environmental and rural sciences all have to have strong working knowledge of key farming issues,” she says.

“Topics such as intensive farming; the survival and role of rare breeds, the differences that determine the characteristics of a dairy or a beef animal, the development of alternative energies, land use and conservation, the ethics of farming and how you set up sustainable

Past, present and future, all will be part of an energetic and innovative Royal Show at Stoneleigh in 2008. For advance tickets, or for more information about the event, go to www.royalshow.org.uk

rural businesses – these are on their agenda as well.

“The Royal Show provides an excellent opportunity for students to see positive presentations about farming, to ask searching questions, and, crucially, to get some real industry context for the debates on food, farming and the environment.

“FACE (Farming and Countryside Education) helps provide a lot of support, but I would like to make a special plea for those manning stands and exhibits to take time out where they can to talk to young show visitors and make sure they get an accurate picture of the work the industry does.”

Ruth Peterson

Clear thinking on alternatives ALTERNATIVE energy will be high on the Royal Show agenda with the Energy and Sustainability Park – a hectare of the showground dedicated to the whole alternative energy debate – providing a practical backdrop to the future of everything from biomass and green diesel to wind power and the technology of growing coppice willow and miscanthus.

Crucially, the area will feature an Information Bar with experts on hand to provide guidance for anyone considering diversifying into the sector.

Coppice harvesting 10

“Quite frankly, there has been a lot of hot

air talked about alternative energies and we believe it is the Royal Show’s job to cut through that and lay out some clear information for landowners,” says Show Director Simon Frere-Cook.

“Decisions have to be taken in the next few years which will determine the role of farmers in the energy business. Yet there are so many alternative points of view out there it’s no wonder that many are confused about the way ahead.

“The Alternative Energy and Sustainability area will seek to clarify some of those issues.”

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

THE ROLE of the Royal Show in stimulating the minds of the next generation of farmers, rural scientists and better informed consumers is not lost on school teachers. Each year more than 4,000 school children make the trip to Stoneleigh… and they get much more than just a good day out.

Curriculum choices facing students studying for GCE, A levels and the soon-tobe-introduced National Diplomas, all feature the issues that are facing agriculture on a daily basis.

Farmers Club Under 30s member and science teacher Ruth Peterson is preparing to bring 60 16 and 17-year-olds to

Keeping the plants alive in the Thomas Alleyne School greenhouse.

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008

11

ST GEORGE’S DAY • Don Gomery

ST GEORGE’S DAY • Don Gomery

St George for England… and The Farmers Club One hundred and thirteen members and their guests gathered for lunch at the historic Painters’ Hall in the City of London on 23 April to celebrate the Feast Day of St George, Patron Saint of England and of farming. It was, once again, a splendid occasion, with a superb guest speaker, as Journal Editor Don Gomery reports in words and pictures.

how King Richard I, a century later, put his armies of the second crusade under the protection of St George and wore his red cross on a white background over their armour to avoid confusion in battle.

laws on abortion, drugs, pornography, sodomy, Sunday trading, and more, Admiral Hill-Norton said. “Is it any surprise we have become more lawless, licentious and litigious?

It was this latter that led to Henry III, in 1220, ordering a Feast Day for St George in the national calendar, paving the way for Edward III, in 1345, to establish the Order of the Garter in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, under the patronage of St George as “special protectour and defender of this royaume”, effectively making him Patron Saint of England.

“No surprise, either, that many are now calling for stronger leadership to give a new sense of direction, a headmark to aim for to protect the things we almost take for granted… our freedom, our liberty, our democracy, our independent judiciary, and so on.

“So what has all of this got to do with us today?” the Admiral asked. And yet again went on to answer his own question, by explaining how, in the past 50 years, we had seen more rapid change than at any time in our history.

Chairman Julian Sayers in front of HM The Queens portrait at Painters' Hall

Guest speaker Vice Admiral The Hon Sir Nicholas Hill-Norton KCB

The Hon Lady Hill-Norton was presented with flowers at the Lunch

“SAINT GEORGE for England and The Farmers Club.” This was the Toast given

by Vice Admiral The Hon Sir Nicholas Hill-Norton KCB, to end his Address at the Club’s celebration of the Patron Saint of England and, very appropriately, of farming.

retirement in 1995. Members who heard his address in October 2006, at the Club commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, will know what an formidable speaker he is. He kept us all enthralled then, and did so again on this occasion.

“Interestingly, it was only 20 years later that Emperor Constantine, at York, made Christianity the religion of the Roman Empire, opening the way for George to be canonised as a Saint by Pope Gelasius in AD 494.”

How fitting that, to mark such an momentous occasion, the lunch was held in the historic Painters’ Hall, at the heart of England’s capital city, London. As our host and Club Chairman, Julian Sayers, explained, this was the home of The Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers, who united in 1502, received a Charter from Queen Elizabeth I in 1577 and another from King James II in 1685.

Admiral Hill-Norton started by describing some of the many notable events that had taken place on 23 April, including the birth (in 1564) and death (1616) of William Shakespeare, and the beheading of George in Lydda (now Lod), Israel, in AD 303, after he had fallen foul of the Roman Emperor Diocletian by refusing to carry out his orders, while a Tribune in the Imperial Guard, to burn the scriptures and close the churches of Christians.

The original Painters’ Hall was given to the Company in 1532 by Alderman Sir John Browne, Sergeant Painter to King Henry VIII, but was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666, rebuilt, but partly destroyed again in a German Air Raid in 1941. The present Hall was completed in 1960, on an enlarged site.

This, then, set the scene for an absorbing, entertaining and thought provoking afterlunch talk by Admiral Hill-Norton, a serving naval officer from 1957 until his 12

“It’s rather bewildering for some, and, at a local level, in the countryside, where many of us live, often distressing, as we have progressively lost our railways, schools, post offices, shops, GPs, priests and even our buses,” he said. “At international level the nation has diminished in importance, and, despite punching above our weight in all sorts of political areas - and often very bravely in various conflicts - our bluff is being called.

Admiral Hill-Norton went on to describe the myth of St George slaying a dragon; the legend of how a vision of St George leading knights, angels, saints and ghosts of the dead inspired Christians to victory at the Siege of Antioch in the first crusade; and

“But most important than all this, in my opinion, is the prospect of losing our way as a people. We have become a throwaway society, slaves too often to acquisitiveness and possessions, wanting instant gratification for our appetites and valuing image over substance in a new culture of celebrity worship.

Patricia Baseley and Alan Johnson

Philip Bolam with Sacha and Chris French

“Our leaders seem keener on handwringing apologies which serve little practical use - the Pope on Inquisition, Blair on Ireland, Australia on national ‘Sorry day’ for Aborigines - than on taking often uncomfortable decisions to fix the problems.”

The Admiral went on to list a number of measures brought in against “harmless things, often for some political correctness or spurious health and safety reasons”.

These included no conkers, school trips, egg-and-spoon or three-legged races; the ban on hunting, and hounds put on leads to cross roads; no celebration of Christmas in some schools or council areas, least it upset other faiths; an RSPB ban on the word ‘cock’ to describe a male bird; some hospitals refusing entry to servicemen in uniform, who have come to visit wounded colleagues from Iraq or Afghanistan; an NUT wish to ban military visits to schools; and “almost best of all”, the rampant lion, emblem of North Europe’s crack rapid reaction force, being shorn of its manhood after complaints from Swedish female soldiers.

“At the same time, and much more seriously, we have relaxed long-standing

“For me, the character of a people is far more important than petty fogging bureaucracy, or even laws and constitution.

We need to get back more of that sense of fortitude, respect, courtesy and values of hard work and decency; to accept that patriotism is a national value, and that the courage of our military forces is national capital and not some disposable income.

“When we are told so many things that we must not do, why not find some things we can be for? St George seems to me to fit the bill rather well; not right or left, not over- or under-privileged, not someone we vote for… just an inspiration: brave, chivalrous, honest, loyal, humble, and widely respected by many nations, of different faiths, around the world.

“Long may his flag continue to fly from churches and other buildings. Indeed, perhaps we need a public holiday.”

Strong, emotive, thought-provoking words, paving the way for all present to rise and enthusiastically join Admiral Hill-Norton in celebrating England’s Patron Saint with the toast… “St George, for England and The Farmers Club”.

“Why was this particular death so important?” Admiral Hill-Norton asked.

And answered his own question: “Because, if they had got George, a Tribune of the Imperial Guard, a man of noble family and wealth, to deny his faith, others would have followed.

“If they failed, as they did, Christianity would survive… as it did. Consequently, George saved the Church.

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

Club Vice President Sir David Naish chats with Charitable Trust Trustee Stella Muddiman

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008

13

AGRI-FOOD CHARITIES • Chris Lyddon

AGRI-FOOD CHARITIES • Chris Lyddon

Representatives of charities and organisations from across all sectors of the agri-food industry met early in 2007 to look into the potential of working together for the common good. They met again in March this year to discuss progress to date, as Chris Lyddon reports.

subsidies to being an industry that farmed knowledge. “We’ve really got to use science to improve wealth and improve the nation,” he said.

Agri-Food Charities see R&D and new entrants as farming priorities

Training in agriculture was concentrated on a small number of institutions, with research centred on an even smaller number. “About 12 or 15 institutions are delivering 70 or 80 percent of the students in the land-based sector,” Professor Jones added.

Tony Pexton, Chair of Defra’s Sustainable Arable LINK, also believed in working together to make the most of charitable resources. “What we’ve got to do is use every asset we can get as effectively as possible,” he said. “You do get a much bigger bang for your buck if you all start talking together.”

He outlined the challenges facing agriculture. “We’ve got a growing world population,” he said. “That population is, because of increased prosperity, demanding a better diet.”

Peter Redman

THE Agri-Food Charities Partnership, which aims to help farming charities work together to make the most of their resources, got a very clear message from its recent forum in London, that getting more young people into the sector and, in particular, into research, must be a priority.

“We plan to consolidate progress and we need the information from this forum to help us decide where we can help the most,” AFCP Steering Group Chairman Peter Redman told the meeting, called, ‘Change, Challenge and Opportunity for Agrifood Charities’.

The farming industry had to satisfy that demand using less land and with the problem of diminishing oil supplies. “At some stage it won’t matter what you're willing to pay for the barrel of oil, because the oil won’t be there,” Tony Pexton added.

There was also the issue of climate change.

“We’re going to be able to grow different crops,” he said. “We’re going to have to use our water better. We’re going to get different pests and diseases. We’re going to have different growing cycles.

“The situation is so serious that even the Government’s noticed.”

The rules which had been brought in during the years when people worried about the environment and ignored the need for food security would still be there.

“All those rules aren't going to go away,” he said. “I, and those who follow me, am going to have to produce more and more food off less and less land, and there are going to be restrictions on how we do it.”

Tony Pexton identified two priority areas.

“We do need youngsters coming in and we need research and development,” he said.

“Research and development is absolutely fundamental to the success of the industry as we go forward. The industry is going through enormous changes.”

Bomford Trust, the income of a postgraduate researcher was just too low.

We’re not building up the body of expertise.”

“You’ll be very lucky to get a UK student prepared to do research for £10,000 to £12,000 a year,” he said. “What you’ll get is overseas students, EU students. They’ll be very grateful for the research experience and then they’ll go home.

David Leader, of the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust, was sceptical about the employment prospects for more highly qualified post-graduates. “Even if we find the funding for the PhD students, there are not the careers for them,” he said.

Geoffrey Gent, of the Perry Foundation, believed that agriculture did have enough to offer to bring in young people.

“The four universities are only involved in teaching about 10 percent of undergraduates.” That meant that too few agricultural students were being exposed to research. “That disconnect is a concern.

“Anyone looking at a good career could look at agriculture,” he said. “The opportunities are great. The need is great.

We want to be as positive as possible, as effective as possible, and really project our industry.”

“We want charities to work with us for scholarships,” he added. “Quite a lot of businesses and companies are prepared to offer sponsorship for the later years. What we need is money to encourage people into the industry in the first place.

There was some concern from members of the forum’s audience, almost entirely made up of representatives of agricultural charities, that the project could mean a loss of their diversity. Peter Redman reassured them that AFCP was not going to be challenging their independence.

“I suppose postgraduates is the key area,” he said, “and it’s very difficult to get funds for postgraduate research. If there’s no knowledge there’s no need for knowledge transfer.”

According to Dick Godwin of the Douglas

Professor Wynne Jones

“My vision is that it’s about charities and being informed about the strategies, and not necessarily driven by it,” he said. “We don't want a monolith.”

“We need young people coming into the industry. We need technically efficient people. We need business people. And it goes without saying that if you're going to get young people into the industry, you’ve got to get a few of the oldsters out. One of the issues is getting new blood into the industry that's trained and dynamic.”

Professor Wynne Jones, Principal of Harper Adams University College, told the meeting that the big challenge now was to move from being an industry that relied on

“The industry is restructuring at an increasingly rapid rate, largely by upscaling,” he added. “The charities are numerous and diverse. Their objectives are not necessarily in tune with the needs of the industry today. There’s a tendency to be isolated and conservative.

“How can the impact and efficiency of the charities be increased? One way is to increase the critical mass by joint funding.”.

It was important that charities had an understanding of the needs of the industry.

“There’s a need to facilitate the effective access of those seeking awards,” Peter Redman said. The opportunity of the AFCP is to facilitate the connections.”

14

Tony Pexton THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008

15

INTRODUCING MYSELF • Stephen Skinner

CLUB VISIT TO BRAZIL • John Reynolds

Air Commodore Stephen Skinner period, but, when all is said and done, commanding a front-line squadron with 120 aircrew is pretty special in its own right.

Unfortunately, this also marked the period when my wife’s illness started. At this point, I was fortunate indeed to be allowed time off to care for my wife, while at the same time having both children at Loretto School, in Musselburgh.

Gill died in 2000, but not before she heard that I had been selected for promotion to group captain and given command of RAF Kinloss. A rare honour.

With 2,500 personnel under my command an eclectic mix of Service personnel, contractors and civil servants - I learned much. I also had the moral responsibility for the 3,500 dependents who lived in the local area, so life was busy. But it was also enormous fun and hugely rewarding.

I WAS born in Edinburgh in 1954 into a Service family, and while we moved after only a couple of years, this was the start of a long association with Scotland. After school, I was sponsored through Aston University in Birmingham by the RAF before commencing my training as a pilot.

During training I flew a number of types (now mostly out of service), before settling on the Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft.

The Nimrod’s role was to search for and track submarines and ships while also carrying out an important search and rescue role.

Falklands Campaign My operational career on the Nimrod started in 1980 at RAF Kinloss, in the North East of Scotland on the Moray Firth Coast, the same year as I was married. During this first period at Kinloss I progressed steadily from co-pilot to 1st pilot to captain, a period in which I saw significant Cold War activity as well as participation in the Falklands Campaign.

These were busy and often exciting times… but all good things come to an end, and in 1985 I was moved south to North Yorkshire as a flying instructor at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, teaching ab initio pilots to fly the Jet Provost. The two-and-a-half years in Yorkshire were very special, but things never stand still for long in the RAF and, having achieved all I could at the rank I 16

was, I was moved on to a human resources job (not that we called it that then!), at RAF Brampton, near Huntingdon, for a little over a year.

Front-line flying Selected for promotion to squadron leader, I returned to Kinloss for more front-line flying, but this time with a little more responsibility. Again, these were busy times, with participation, albeit on the periphery, in the first Gulf War, as well as, most fortunately, display flying the Nimrod.

I then had a year as officer in charge of all Nimrod aircrew standards, flying with the pilots and crews and ensuring they operated to a safe and effective level, before being selected for the RAF Staff College at Bracknell.

Glorious Gibraltar After 10 months at Bracknell, I was posted to Gibraltar, working for the Commander British Forces. This was a glorious year, with experiences as diverse as dealing with riots in the street as a result of a clamp down on cigarette smuggling, to playing golf at Valderrama!

Promotion to wing commander followed, and after a brief spell at Northwood, north London, behind a desk, I was posted back to Kinloss to command No 206 Squadron.

There were many highlights during this

Unfortunately, these appointments only last two years and very soon I was heading south for 18 months in the MOD. This was my first time in London and, despite being hard work and certainly challenging, it was most enjoyable.

Final years Selection to air commodore followed, and a move back to Northwood to work with NATO, but fortunately only for six months.

The final three years of my RAF career were spent at RAF High Wycombe in charge of all the RAF’s air transport and airto-air refuelling aircraft. A complete change of direction.

My responsibilities encompassed the bases at RAF Brize Norton, RAF Lyneham and RAF Northolt, and gave me the chance to visit both Iraq and Afghanistan and see the conditions at first-hand on the ground.

Quite an experience.

I also had the opportunity to fly a variety of aircraft, which was not only fun but also helped to gain a real insight to many of the problems facing the aircrew and their passengers.

• Stephen now lives just north of Oxford in Begbroke, is engaged to Carla, and enjoys running, golf and supporting Macmillan Cancer Support wherever and whenever he can. He is also a Governor of a Primary School in Manchester.

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

John Reynolds, Chairman Elect for 2009, will be hosting a trip for members and their guests to Brazil next February-March. He describes some of the farming highlights that will be seen on a visit that promises to be as interesting and fascinating as it will be memorable.

Club trip to bountiful Brazil to study its booming farming BRAZIL is indeed huge. From the Amazon basin in the north and west, to the Brazilian Highlands in the southeast, the topography is dramatic and diverse. Writing to the king of Portugal in 1500, Pero Vaz de Caminha described Brazil as “very extensive”, and hinted to his sponsors that its vastness contained many resources just waiting to be exploited.

In fact, Brazil covers nearly half of South America and is the fifth largest country in the world in terms of population (186 million in 2005), as well as land area. Now, more than 500 years later, it is the economic leader of South America and boasts the ninth largest economy in the world.

Agricultural production includes wheat, soya, rice, maize, beans, tobacco, sugar cane, citrus fruits, coffee, cotton, sunflower, grapes and melons, while Brazil also has extensive mineral reserves of iron, aluminium ore, gold and diamonds.

National growth has been dramatic in recent years and Brazilian agricultural exports have almost doubled in the past five years.

Farming now accounts for around 12% of the national GDP, with more than 48 million hectares in harvest, over 198 million head of bovine, and 114 million tons of grain production from the rich, red, fertile soils.

and sugar-alcohol. The favourable scenario both for sugar and ethanol fuel on the world market means that this sector is set to continue its outstanding performance.

On the evening of 27 February, 2009, our Farmers Club tour will leave London for Rio de Janeiro. After two days to acclimatise and take in some of the sights of this exciting city, we will move on to the agricultural hub of the country, Sao Paulo.

Here we will focus on coffee and grain and visit a livestock estate.

Our tour will then move on to Curitiba, the state capital of Parana.

In recent years, co-operatives and agencies have been formed to improve and promote agriculture and to help raise the living standards of agricultural workers and the rural poor. These units focus on the generation of job opportunities, the provision of realistic wages, hygiene and security, productivity, quality and competitiveness, and sustainability.

In Curitiba, we will have the opportunity to meet with these co-operatives, listen to their objectives and view their progress.

From Curitiba, the tour will move on to Londrina, where the main focus is on arable crops, as well as extensive cattle ranching, pig breeding and poultry keeping. Here, we will see soya growing and processing, as

well as visiting sugar plantations and an Ethanol co-operative.

As we move on through the state, there will be further visits until the tour closes with two full days to explore and enjoy the Iguacu Falls, the spectacular, natural phenomena that forms part of the border between Brazil and Argentina. On 16 March, participants can then either return with the party to London, or continue to explore Brazil, or South America, under their own arrangements.

During our visit, we will hear from representatives of the Brazilian government, the main trade organisations and land owners, and from the people themselves. Our itinerary is designed to cover most aspects of agriculture and to allow members to meet growers, producers, breeders, and processors.

We hope it will provide the opportunity to examine and understand Brazilian agricultural principles and practices, as well as giving members the chance to relax and enjoy this vibrant and captivating country.

• Members interested in going on this trip to Brazil, and who wish to receive further details as they become available, are invited to let the Club Secretariat know by emailing secretariat@thefarmersclub.com or by telephoning 020 7930 3751.

Brazil is the world’s biggest exporter of beef and chicken meat, selling to 147 countries. This constitutes a remarkable degree of expansion, given that Brazil had a trade deficit in meats as recently as the early 1990s.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Cattle and Supplying is forecasting that, in the next 15 years, 30 million more hectares will be added for areas of pastures, thanks to the technological development of the beef and dairy industry.

Brazil is also the world’s biggest producer and exporter of crude and refined sugar www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008

17

U30 TOPIC: ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY • Hefin Williams

CHEF’S CORNER • Don Irwin

Combining the jobs of research student, part-time lecturer and weekend farmer

organisations involved with the countryside. Policy changes implemented through the 2005 CAP reform and the upcoming ‘health check’ have increased, and will continue to increase, the emphasis on environmental issues.

Hefin Williams

MY NAME is Hefin Williams and I live on an upland sheep and suckler farm near the town of Machynlleth, Montgomeryshire. I first became aware of The Farmers Club through its Pinnacle Awards and have been an U30s member for nearly three years.

Currently, my occupation could best be described as a full-time research student, part-time lecturer and a weekend farmer (if such a thing exists). My academic work is based at the Institute of Rural Sciences (IRS) at Aberystwyth University (AU), and has two main objectives: • The development and provision of teaching in Welsh.

• Research into the role of climate change on Bovine Tuberculosis (BTB) distribution.

The first-named opportunity has developed from a greater awareness and investment in Welsh language provision by higher education institutions in Wales. Funding has been available across all higher education disciplines for this purpose, with special attention given to the agrienvironment sector. This is principally due to the demand expressed by employers such as the Countryside Council for Wales and Environment Agency Wales, which are aiming to provide a bilingual service.

The current Welsh-teaching modules IRS has developed are at the interface of agriculture and the environment; this is, as I’m sure all are very aware, an increasingly important area for individuals and 18

These policies are enforced through crosscompliance and other requirements. As a consequence, it is essential to have well trained and skilled individuals; be it farmers or employees of statutory bodies who are able to confidently discuss options and deliver environmental benefits. The advent of devolution has created an opportunity for this action to be undertaken through the medium of Welsh.

It is early days yet, but the feedback from the students has been positive and the aim is to continue to offer them the opportunity to undertake and discuss scientific subjects in their first language.

Imminent merger One of the most significant developments at the IRS for many years is the imminent merger between the Institute of Biological Sciences (another AU department) and the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER).

The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) will form the largest collection of scientists and support staff of its type in the UK. This will enable the University to provide internationally competitive research, enterprise and teaching facilities.

currently in the first year of studying for my PhD, researching the potential impact of climate change on bovine tuberculosis (BTB).

My research encompasses two issues of enormous significance to the farming community, and the aim is to identify any possible interaction that may arise.

Previous research has indicated that much of the spread of BTB can be attributed to cattle movements, but that there is also an environmental influence. The previous studies utilised remote sensing data to identify relationships between environmental data and BTB breakdowns.

The aim of this project is to use recorded meteorological data to attempt to ascertain similar relationships, and if successful to project these into the future under the different climate scenarios detailed in the UK Climate Impacts Programme (a resource for organisations to assess the potential impact of future climate change scenarios on their activities). See www.ukcip.org.uk BTB is widely regarded as a serious current threat to the farming industry today. This research can hopefully give an indication of the possible severity and distribution of the disease in the future.

• Hefin Williams is a postgraduate student at the IRS, Aberystwyth University.

He can be contacted by emailing hew05@aber.ac.uk or by calling 01970 621658.

On a personal note, these ongoing developments make it a very exiting time to be involved in environmental-based studies at Aberystwyth.

Those wishing to learn more about IRS and the courses on offer can visit www.irs.aber.ac.uk or they can email irs-enquiries@aber.ac.uk

Bovine TB Supplementary to the Welsh language provision I am helping provide, I am THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

Let’s celebrate natural flavour rather than out-of-season food I HAVE just visited the Real Food Festival at Earls Court and came away invigorated.

There were nearly 500 artisan food producers displaying their wares, creating a huge Farmers Market.

The following spring, these pieces yielded a large and early crop. It was from this that the Jersey Royal was born.

If the Festival was a success, and I’m led to believe from the exhibitors to whom I spoke that it was, I just hope that, number one, it doesn’t become too big:, number two, rentals for floor space are kept at a reasonable rate; and, number three, it doesn’t get hi-jacked by supermarket chains.

Talking of seasons, we have just received the first of this year’s samphire. I love its slightly salty twang (it’s just as good raw as it is very lightly cooked), and we use it as a garnish for both fish and meat at the Club.

I first used it nearly 40 years ago, but it is now very trendy in the restaurant world (I knew I would be ‘in vogue’ one day). It’s a totally wild and free vegetable, if one has the time and inclination to forage for it. In Ireland it’s known as Peter’s Cress, and in the Morecombe Bay area as Samphie.

In one short afternoon I tasted Salt Marsh lamb from Somerset, Tamworth pork from Berwickshire, ostrich sausage from Wales, tomatoes from the Isle of Wight, Anglesey sea salt and a wonderful sparkling vintage cider from Totnes, Devon.

Jersey Royal, Samphire and Crab Salad

Welcome, Jeff…

I could have quite happily spent the whole day there, sampling and talking to the producers of some of the best food this island produces. I had to prioritise, however, and produce the dinner for the Pinnacle Awards!

Jersey had a large area promoting its produce, fronted, of course, by Jersey Royal potatoes. At their best, Royals are a wonderful tasting potato, with a season that lasts from mid April until mid June.

I was offered some in February this year, at a premium price, that had been grown under glass. Taste-wise they were nothing like the ‘real thing’.

I hate this idea of extended seasons. Let’s celebrate the true flavour of our produce, and let nature take its course. Quality foods are always worth waiting for; we just have to encourage the appreciation of them. No easy task I know, but what is it about our society that we must have everything all of the time?

While I am at The Farmers Club, I can promise that you will never see asparagus or strawberries on the menu in December!

Around 1880, a Jersey farmer by the name of Hugh de la Haye was given two huge potatoes; one of which had 15 ‘eyes’. Out of curiosity, he decided to cut it into pieces, which were then planted on a steep-sloping field overlooking the sea.

Super samphire

(to serve four starter portions)

In writing this article, featuring two of Britain’s finest foods, I have come up with the idea of adding a third and creating a salad just right for the warm days ahead. You’ll find it in the recipe below.

• 40g podded peas • 40g podded broad beans • Good handful of samphire (trimmed) • 50g baby salad leaves • 250g freshly-picked white crab meat Dressing:

There are two varieties… Rock Samphire and Glasswort. Rock Samphire is mainly pickled, so we use Glasswort or Marsh Samphire, which is found on the edges of tidal creeks.

The Kitchen at the Club is in good heart, with all of us searching constantly for consistency in our work and, indeed, ever trying to improve standards. By the time this article is read, we should have a new man ‘on board’, Jeff Plant, who, with John Viveiros, should ensure standards are always at a high level and the Kitchen staffed from 7am until 10pm.

This will also ensure that health and hygiene records are maintained on a regular basis, as well as meaning that I should have more time to discuss private function requirements with members, should they so wish.

Consequently, I am looking forward to working with Jeff and, of course the Club’s new Chief Executive and Secretary, Air Commodore Stephen Skinner.

• 1tbs cider vinegar • 4tbs rapeseed oil • 1tsp English mustard Cook peas and broad beans from 3 to 4 minutes. Drain and leave to cool.

Peel broad beans, if large. Blanch samphire in boiling salted water, drain and cool.

Toss leaves and vegetables in seasoned dressing. Arrange on serving plates and scatter crab on top.

Happy eating…

Cookery quote…

“Even more than long hours in the kitchen, fine meals require ingenious organisation and experience which is a pleasure to acquire”.

Elizabeth David (1914 - 1992)

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008

19

U30s • Lizzie Benson, Chairman; Luke Paterson, Vice-Chairman; MaryAnne Salisbury, Secretary

Chairman’s Jottings…

Having fun in learning how to judge the best bubbly A FABULOUS turnout of Under 30s members, old and new, on Friday 4 April enjoyed Champagne tasting followed by a superb meal at The Farmers Club.

AS SPRING finally emerges the U30s are, as ever, in the midst of a busy calendar of events.

In April, members enjoyed an evening of champagne tasting followed by dinner, our host Sebastian Peake passing on some of his extensive knowledge on the subject. Many thanks to Luke Paterson for organising it.

The Farmers Club hosted an inter-club British Produce dinner later in the month.

This proved a great success, giving members of other clubs the opportunity to appreciate the high standard of British produce.

By the time you read this article I, along with other U30 members, will be recovering from the June Spring Farm walk in Norfolk, where we will have seen Peels Norfolk Black Turkeys, toured Duffields feed mill and explored the historic city of Norwich.

Similarly the annual cricket match against the Forty Club, led by Philip Hoare, will have been played, the result of which will appear in the Harvest Journal.

An additional event to the calendar is racing at Lingfield Park on Saturday 28 June, when members can enjoy an evening of top quality racing followed by live music from the Cavern Beatles.

Our annual drinks party at the Royal Show will be on the evening of Saturday 5 July. It will be a great opportunity for you and your friends to relax after a busy day looking round the show, as well as enabling you to make use of the comfort and facilities of The Farmers Club Pavilion.

On Saturday 26 July there will be a joint drinks reception with the main Club at the CLA Game Fair, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. Please do come along. I look forward to seeing you there.

Lizzie Benson 20

We were greeted by glasses of Champagne, and Mr Sebastian Peake, the Champagne expert of Peake wine company, importers of wine from various countries, told to us a little about the drink. He explained that the vines are grown on chalky lime ground, and how the worst ground will produce the best grapes, all in the triangular Champagne region of France.

Then, armed with our first glass of Champagne, he showed us how to tilt and roll the glass around and look for a great mass of small bubbles, as this will indicate that it’s the best of Champagne. Having learned about bubbles, we then swirled the Champagne around to note how it holds to the side of the glass. The greasier the grape skins, the better the drink will hold to the glass and the better the Champagne.

and had a liquor in the top to help with the production, before being sealed with a five-part cork to hold in the bubbles.

After this fascinating insight into Champagne production, we were ready for our delicious three-course dinner, which included sea food bisque starter and a main course of seasonal lamb.

Members then enjoyed the opportunity to chat further in the bar, before continuing the evening’s party at nearby Motion night club.

Stuart Southall

Above and below: U30s members enjoying themselves at the Spring Dining Evening

We tasted five different Champagnes in total, ranging from dry to rosé. One of them was made from three different grape varieties, including Chardonnay,

WITHIN 24 hours of tickets going on sale, the British Produce Dinner, hosted by the Under 30s on behalf of the Younger Members Interclub Group, was declared a sell out.

More than 50 younger members, representing seven clubs, attended this special evening on 16 April, which started with a drinks reception in the Forty Room, sampling the best of English sparkling wine from Chapel Down Vineyard, Kent.

After introductions and convivial chatter, the group proceeded to the Eastwood Room for a fine dinner. The seasonal menu began with a delicious layered fish terrine with lobster cream, and was followed by a traditional dish with a contemporary twist - black puddingstuffed lamb, accompanied by a minted kidney jus - which received extensive

A warm welcome from me coupled with deep thanks to Grieve Carson THIS is my first attempt at Ramblings, which I find is a bit like my first faltering steps into a strange new world! However, may I take this opportunity to say how delighted I am to have been appointed as Chief Executive and Secretary of The Farmers Club and how much I am enjoying myself already.

There is no question that Grieve Carson is a very hard act to follow. I am enormously grateful to him, not only for an excellent handover but also for all that he has done for the Club, which has, frankly, made my job very easy indeed… so far.

While there will, of course, be the odd change here and there, my principle aim is to maintain the ethos and culture of The Farmers Club and ensure it really is ‘home from home’ for our members. It is, unquestionably, a very special place, and long may that continue.

I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can in coming months, both here in Whitehall Court and around the country.

Fond farewells…

NOT surprisingly, many members and friends from across the agricultural industry paid tribute to Grieve as a mark of their appreciation and in recognition of all he has done for them as individuals, for their organisations or companies, and for their Club.

Next, we were able to take our first taste… and so the Champagne started flowing.

Showing off the very best of British Farm Produce

RAMBLINGS • Stephen Skinner

praise. Dessert was a beautifullypresented pear and raspberry mousse and sorbet.

Lizzie’s potted history of the Club and the values which we promote served as an ideal introduction to potential new members, as well as giving an insight to those from other clubs about what we stand for and the extensive programme of events that is enjoyed by members.

The evening was rounded off with a commendable selection of British cheeses and drinks in the bar, with promises to attend more interclub events in the future.

The annual Interclub Quiz on the 9 June is fast approaching, and the Under 30s hope that, in fielding a team, they will dazzle rivals with their encyclopaedic knowledge and claim victory. Anyone interested in joining the quest for glory should contact MaryAnne.

Gemma Partridge

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

Members in the news

I AM already getting used to reading or hearing about people making news across the farming industry, and then being told as I go through my rapid learning curve that “they are, of course, Club members”.

Recently, for example, we had Club members Baroness (Hazel) Byford and Ionwen Lewis, as Patron and President, respectively, of the Women’s Food and Farming Union, heading a team of topquality speakers (many also members) at the organisation’s national conference in Bridgend, Glamorgan, in late April.

Keynote speaker at this prestigious event was EU Farms Commissioner Mariann Fischer-Boel, seen here in our picture flanked by Hazel (left) and Ionwen.

Cleaning Whitehall Court SOME members will be aware of the programme of cleaning that is about to embark on the river side of Whitehall Court. However, few will be aware how extensive the work is likely to be, how long it will last and, of course, its impact on Club activities, particularly in rooms facing the Thames.

Fortunately, we have the contractors’ agreement to carry out the bulk of the work on the public areas of the Club during the summer closure period. Beyond that, we will do all we can to keep disruptions to a minimum and to maintain our service to members and their guests, and will keep you updated as work progresses.

One such occasion was the buffet lunch which followed the annual meeting at the Club of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists, of which Grieve is an Honorary Member as well as a Trustee of the GAJ Charitable Trust. At this, Grieve was presented with a beautiful set of wine glasses by Guild President - and Club member - The Countess of Mar. It also gave me an opportunity to meet and begin to get to know members of the agricultural press, in what I trust will be the first of many such delightful occasions.

ANOTHER prestigious event, which I was delighted to attend, was the re-introduced RASE Annual Lecture, held at the Butchers’ Hall, London, and given by Club member Norman Bagley, Policy Director for the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, whose subject was ‘English Meat - Who Cares?’

This followed an RASE seminar and debate on ‘Food Security and Animal Health Challenges or Opportunities?’, with presentations by Siôn Roberts, Chief Executive of English Farming and Food Partnerships, and Professor Joe Brownlie, Professor of Veterinary Pathology at the Royal Veterinary College.

The presentations can be found at w w w . r a s e . o r g . u k / t h e presidentsseminar2008 but, in summary, the speakers gave a wonderfully wellinformed and passionate discourse on the major issues facing the farming community.

Certainly, if the debate that followed was anything to go by, a nerve or two was touched. Accepting that my knowledge and understanding is very limited, I felt this was quite a cri de coeur for leadership from the

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008

Deputy Head Chef I AM pleased to report that we have appointed Jeff Plant to join Don Irwin and his team as Deputy Head Chef. Jeff comes from a diverse background, having worked in clubs, hotels and the Inner Temple for an extended period.

top. With agriculture right at the heart of a major public debate, I cannot think of a better time for these issues to be discussed.

CONGRATULATIONS are also due to headline-making members Professor Chris Gaskell, Principal of the Royal Agricultural College, on his appointment as Chair of the Science Advisory Council, set up four years ago to give Defra expert advice on science policy and strategy, and to Dr Dan Mitchell on being made an Honorary Fellow of The Institution of Agricultural Engineers, in recognition of his lifelong work on behalf of, in particular, the farm electric industry.

Marathon success I AM pleased to be able to report that your Chairman and I successfully completed the London Marathon. Julian crossed the line in a very respectable 4 hours 20 minutes, at only his second attempt, which was half an hour faster than his first run, last year. He promises to take part again in 2009, when, continued overleaf...

21

RAMBLINGS

Club Information & Diary Dates

THE FARMERS CLUB

The Secretariat 020 7930 3751

THE FARMERS CLUB Over 160 years of service to farming 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL

Diary Dates 2008

with more time for training, he hopes to crack the 4-minute barrier… but time will tell.

Modesty almost prevents me from boasting that I scraped home in 3 hours 48 minutes, earning money for my chosen charity, Macmillan Cancer Support.

Although there was the odd deluge, the day itself was a splendid occasion, as was the gathering we had in the Club afterwards, where the picture here was taken. A big “Thank You” to all those who kindly sponsored our endeavours, and to the staff at the Club for being on hand to provide much needed liquid refreshment following our exertions.

020 7930 3751

Further information is available on The Farmers Club Website: www.thefarmersclub.com To register for the Members’ Area, enter your membership number as shown on the top line of the address label of your Journal and then create your username and password.

Obituaries

Surrey Shropshire Sussex Yorkshire Bedfordshire Devon Northumberland Berkshire Sussex

New Members

Help wanted…

The following were elected on 13 February 2008:

THE CLUB has had several requests for help from its members, which we try to pass on whenever possible.

K A Applebee Essex T J Atkinson Yorkshire R A Barker Yorkshire D W G Bexon Cheshire Mrs A M Blackburn Suffolk R L Campbell Yorkshire Miss E V Cardy-Brown Sussex R D Cooksley Somerset M Cowan Essex N P Cudmore Lincolnshire F C Curtis Lincolnshire Major D J M Daniels Suffolk P A Dove Surrey Colonel S J Durnford Devon A C Elphick Sussex Professor K W T Goulding Hertfordshire Mrs P B Greenwood Yorkshire C Halvorsen Northamptonshire Mrs R Hayward Suffolk R S Hazledine Yorkshire P J H Holt Yorkshire J D Hoskin Cornwall Mrs M A Hutchinson-Cattier Somerset N R Kemp Yorkshire Rear Admiral M W G Kerr Brecknockshire S A Lacey Yorkshire S W D Laird Angus M J Malyon Hampshire J K Matthews Midlothian E K McGrady MP Down R McLean Roxburghshire S T Parsons Radnorshire D A Pearce Hertfordshire N F Pullin Gloucestershire Professor T Rehman Berkshire B E Robinson Leicestershire C Slatter Gloucestershire M D Smales Wiltshire J A Stillman Hampshire C Tawney Wiltshire

Help from members is also needed by Jonathan Alderson, Assistant Producer at Available Light Productions, Bristol, which is putting together four one-hour TV programmes for BBC 4 on the History of British Agriculture in the 100 years up to the present day, for screening in 2009. Let Jonathan know by calling 0117 9084433 or by emailing jalderson@availablelight.tv if you can help by providing personal stories or loaning old footage in any format of life on the farm during this period.

22

VICE PRESIDENTS John N Harris OBE MC, Peter Jackson CBE Roddy Loder-Symonds, Sir David Naish DL John Parker THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CLUB FOR 2008 PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN Julian Sayers TRUSTEES Mark Hudson (Chairman), Barclay Forrest OBE Mrs Susan Kilpatrick OBE, Norman Shaw CBE

G C Brander W R Goodall R M Guy M G Holmes OBE W A G Kendall Mrs L H R Love Dr J E Moffitt CBE A W Peers J Usborne

In similar vein, James Nott and Roger Bedson - farmer and chartered surveyor, respectively - are chugging 845 miles on two classic MF 135s in late May, early June, to raise money for Cancer research UK, in memory of James’s brother Edward, who died of a cancerous tumor in 2002.

For more details about this worthy cause, and how you can donate, visit www.slowwaydown.org or call James on 07767 418862.

These diary dates are reviewed for every Journal. Please read them on each occasion, as they are sometimes revised and additional dates included. Details of events circulated in the previous issues are available from the Secretariat at the telephone number shown above.

Club Information

It is with regret that we announce the death of the following members:

You will be interested to know, for example, that Sir Tom Lethbridge is taking part in The British 10K London Run on 6 July for RABI, and would welcome support for this wonderful cause. Cheques should be made payable to RABI, and if sent to me here at the Club I will ensure they are forwarded.

Patron – Her Majesty The Queen

Mrs B M Wade I A Walker J Walsham J Weir Dr K H Williams Overseas J R Dean C Gibbes Mrs J R C Reutter Under 30s W Badger F Crossley Miss V G Fifield I J Forbes D J Friday Miss C Harris J S Maddock D Moore Dutton T C Patel-Campbell T E M Perrett I R Pye Miss R E S Suckling R J Suckling J P Wyman Agricultural Attache R McSherry Whitehall Court S Gargiulo M Glas M Klosowski D Norris Colonel L Portolano Forty Club T R Woodcock

Royal County of Berkshire Show Reception Saturday 20 September.

Tear off reply form in this Journal

Cheshire County Show Dinner Tuesday 17 June Details in Spring Ramblings

Suffolk Isle of Wight Essex Brecknockshire Glamorgan

Royal Highland Show Dinner Wednesday 18 June Details in Spring Ramblings

Canada France Austria

Harvest Festival Service at St Martin-in-the-Fields followed

by Buffet Supper at the Club Tuesday 7 October at 5pm Preacher : The Rt. Rev’d. Stephen Venner, Bishop of Canterbury Details in Harvest Ramblings

Royal Show Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 July Flyer with details in this Journal

Oxfordshire London Cheshire Midlothian Kent Essex Aberdeenshire Shropshire Yorkshire Dorset Lancashire Suffolk Suffolk Somerset

Visit to the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show Thursday 10 July Application form was in the Spring Journal Royal Welsh Show Dinner Sunday 20 July Tear off reply form in this Journal CLA Game Fair Reception, Blenheim Palace Saturday 26 July Tear off reply form in this Journal

U.S. Embassy London London London London London

Annual General Meeting Wednesday 10 December at 12 noon in the Club

If you are attending the Show, there is an insert in this journal which gives full details and incorporates your entry slip for the Club Pavilion.

Any member wishing to take a bedroom during this period should make their reservations as soon as possible and prior to 28 July. Priority will be given to members wishing to stay for a relatively long period.

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008 • www.thefarmersclub.com

COMMITTEE Elected 2003 Richard Holland (Chairman Membership SubCommittee), Julian Madeley Elected 2004 Ian Lindsay, Mrs Jill Willows Elected 2005 Charles Notcutt OBE, Mrs Nicki Quayle Elected 2006 Stewart Houston CBE (Chairman House SubCommittee), Meurig Raymond MBE Elected 2007 Tim Bennett, Mrs Anne Chamberlain, James Cross Richard Harrison, Campbell Tweed OBE Mrs Teresa Wickham (Chairman Journal & Communications Sub-Committee)

3.00pm Friday 8 August to 3.00pm Tuesday 26 August

Co-opted Miss Lizzie Benson (Chairman Under 30s) Luke Paterson (Vice-Chairman Under 30s)

Monday 22 December – no afternoon tea, bar or dinner

THE FARMERS CLUB CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES John Kerr MBE JP DL (Chairman), James Cross Stephen Fletcher, Dr Tony Harris CBE Mrs Stella Muddiman JP, The Chairman and Immediate Past Chairman of the Club (ex officio) Chief Executive and Secretary Air Commodore Stephen Skinner Deputy Secretary Robert Buckolt Club Chaplain The Reverend Nicholas Holtam 020-7766 1121

2008 Bursary Awards NAME

COLLEGE

SUBJECT

Dr Mark Bartlett

Cranfield University

A comparison of approaches to sustainability in turf grass farming between England and the USA.

David Bell

SAC Dairy Research Centre

To research systems into rearing dairy heifer replacements in Vancouver, Canada.

Dr Sifelani Chikunya

Writtle College

To research the biochemical and nutritional importance of lipids in farm livestock.

Colin Dargie

SAC Farm Business Services

To study the “Supply Chain” of knowledge transfer in New Zealand agriculture from research through advice and consultancy.

Dr Leaza McSorley

SAC

To investigate approaches to rural development in Australia, focusing particularly on poverty, well-being and diversification in farming communities.

Secretariat 020-7930 3751 Accounts 020-7925 7101 Membership 020-7925 7102 Bedroom & Dining Room Reservations 020-7930 3557 Private Function & Meeting Room Reservations 020-7925 7100 Personal calls for members only 020-7930 4730 Fax 020-7839 7864

During this period the office will deal with correspondence only. The Reception telephones and fax will not be manned.

Several Clubs offer members the use of their facilities during this period, as long as you are in possession of an introductory card. A list of these Clubs and introductory card is available from the Secretariat prior to the Club closure.

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Tony Pexton OBE

Elected 2008 The Reverend Dr Gordon Gatward OBE Jimmy McLean, David Richardson OBE, John Wilson

3.00pm Tuesday 23 December to 3.00pm Monday 5 January 2009

Summer Closure During the Club Summer Closure from 3.00pm on Friday 8 August until 3.00pm on Tuesday 26 August a number of bedrooms will be available for members on the understanding that no Club facilities will be available. During this period weekend rates will be charged.

HONORARY TREASURER Paul Heygate

CLUB CLOSURES 2008

Surrey

Royal Show Club Pavilion

VICE-CHAIRMAN John Reynolds

Miss Alison Northrop

Myerscough College

Investigating racetrack surfaces and the related opinions of racehorse trainers in New Zealand or Australia and England.

www.thefarmersclub.com • THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Summer 2008

E-mails secretariat@thefarmersclub.com accounts@thefarmersclub.com membership@thefarmersclub.com functions@thefarmersclub.com meetings@thefarmersclub.com reception@thefarmersclub.com u30s@thefarmersclub.com Website www.thefarmersclub.com THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Editor and Advertisement Manager Don Gomery 01892 610628 Email: don.gomery@btinternet.com Printed by Pureprint Group , Brambleside, Bellbrook Park 23 Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 1PL Tel: 01825 768811