NEWS
Beet growers’ meetings
Two open meetings will be taking this month to discuss the implications of British Sugar’s decision to close the beet sugar factory at Cantley next year.
The meetings are open to all Cantley growers and contractors. Further details for campaigns after the 2026/2027 season will be announced.
Both meetings start at 9am and registration to attend is requested.
At Rossi’s, North Walsham NR28 0JQ on Thursday, September 10.
At Cantley Social Club NR13 3ST on Tuesday, September 15. [04/09/26]
Glorious summer visit to special north Norfolk estate - Almost 100 members and guests of Stalham Farmers' Club with east Norfolk National Farmers' Union were invited to tour the Kelling Hall estate, near Holt, on a warm summer's evening by Hayley Robertson, on behalf of the Widdowson family. The visitors, who later enjoyed a magnificent hog roast and ample refreshments, were treated to a tour of the 2,250-acre estate. While the family acquired the estate in 2008, the last four years have seen a major drive to encourage wildlife diversity and habitats alongside at least 500ha of mainly arable crops. The visitors were welcomed by the club chairman Jason Cantrill. Full report - See the Stalham News tab on the left. [19/06/26]
Anorther coup for Stalham - Congratulations to long-standing club members Tim Papworth, his father Jim and to Kit Papworth, of LF Papworth, of Lodge Farmm Felmingham, in the latest Norfolk County Farm Business competition. Their whole enterprise was the reserve supreme overall in the annual competition, organised by the Aylsham Agricultural Show Association. But the honours this year went to Sir John White's Salle Farms and the team led by Andrew Peal. The two finalists have dominated the competition over the past four decades having been frequent winners. [15/06/26]
Congratulations to the Tallowin family - Wildlife thrives alongside food production at an award-winning Broadland farm. Willow Farm, Hickling, was the winner of the 2025 Ian MacNicol Memorial Trophy, awarded by Norfolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group. The annual competition recognises best conservation practice with commercial food production.
James Tallowin, and his father John, incidentally both members of Stalham Farmers’ Club, were congratulated for nurturing “an amazing array of wildlife” on the family farm, which adjoins one of Norfolk’s largest broads.
In the last 20 years, 180 bird species have been recorded, 11 bat species and 650 types of moth. The 230ha farm is mainly arable and includes one of the country’s top performing poultry units producing
80,000 broiler chickens.
There has also been significant investment in roof-mounted solar panels with 120Kw capacity on poultry housing, 200kw battery storage and also a 550kw biomass boiler. Full story and photographs, see EDP online, Friday, June 12.
[12/06/26]
Club's farm visit - A handful of places, literally, are still available for the club's farm walk to the Kelling Hall estate, which is organised with East Norfolk branch of the National Farmers' Union. A total of 92 places have been booked out of a maximum 100 for Tuesday evening's tour, starting at 5.30pm prompt. Text the secretary on 07852 718342 or email michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com as soon as possible. All requests will be acknowledged. [12/06/26]