NEWS
Double congratulations to Stalham members Broadland farmer Richard Hirst won the second annual Norfolk Rural Business Award as the best farming champion. The award was presented to Richard, who then had leave immediately with his wife Katrina to receive a second award from the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association's president, Poul Hovesen. He was the latest recipient of the Timothy Colman Award, presented to an indivudal making an outstanding contribution to promoting education about food, farming and the countryside.
Emily Norton, another member and RNAA trustee, introduced the second annual awards, sponsored and organised by Norfolk County Council.
In the best farming champion category, he had launched the highly successful Hirsty's Family Fun Park and transformed the fortunes of the family's farm at Ormesby as well as playing a leading role in the agricultural industry with leadership of Norfolk NFU and also a former head steward at the Royal Norfolk Show.
The runner-up in the category was Michael Balls, who will host club members on a tour of the Colman family's Crown Point estate on Wednesday evening.
Neal Sands, who has been running Sands Agricultural Machinery for more than 50 years, was runner-up in the Norfolk's Unsung Hero category.
[27/06/25]
The late David Moar
It is with great sadness that the death of a long-standing member of Stalham Farmers' Club, David Moar, MBE is reported. David, who was 74, had such a zest for life and was co-founder of the Big C charity, which has raised more than £45m since 1980 or about £3m a year. A full obituary can be seen on the left under past club members. [28/05/25]
Three members receive RNAA awards -
Three Stalham members were recognised at 2025 annual meeting of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association. Richard Hirst, of Ormesby, was awarded the Timothy Colman prize for his outstanding contribution to food, farming and the countryside. To his regret, his wife Katrina, was unable to be present at the Norfolk Events Centre because she had been severely injured by a horse. Retiring head steward of the education section, Louis Baugh, of Neatishead, was elected an honorary vice-president, and assistant head steward, Robin Baines, of Hoveton, was made a Fellow. The secretary, Michael Pollitt, proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring president, the Lady Dannatt, who spoke at the club’s annual dinner in March. He said that members of the Gurney family had served as presidents of the association since 1853, then again in 1910, and 1948. Lord Dannatt had the same role in 2008. Full story - available in minutes and reports on the left. [17/04/25]
Outstanding contribution - A special award for an outstanding contribution over many years was made to Christopher Deane. The President's Cup, awarded from time to time, was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, the Lady Dannatt, and George Gay, the current president, to Mr Deane, who is also an honorary life vice-president. For the full list of prizes and awards for the 2024 season - go to Competitions or Cups and Trophy's. [31/03/25]
Chairman's thanks - Jon Pye thanked speakers, members and especially the vice-chairman Jason Cantrill and the committee for support over the last
12 months. He said that there had been much interest in a proposed project to plan virus-resistant Dutch elm trees on members' farms across east Norfolk, thanks to the support of The Tree Council. - Full report, see Minutes and Reports.
[31/03/25]