Congratulation to the new chairman - Congratulations to Nick Deane on his election as Norfolk NFU county chairman in its centenary year. About 100 members and guests at Easton & Otley College were also presented with copies of the 28-page "A Century of Growing" publication to mark the start of celebrations of the NFU's centenary in 2019. Nick takes over from Tony Bambridge, who now becomes county NFU delegate. Our president, Thomas Love, was, of course, county chairman until 2016. And another family connection to the club, Jamie Lockhart, was elected vice county chairman. Earlier members had stood in memory of former NFU members including our former president, William Donald. A collection for RABI, farming's charity, raised £566.06! Entry added: 07 Nov 2018 |
Stalham's six-figure success. And yes, we've attracted 100,000 visits to the website. The club must have many busy members or many others who are following our club news with keen interest. Here's to the next 100,000. Entry added: 02 Nov 2018 |
Dean of Norwich dedicates showground tree - An informal tree-planting dedication was held in memory of a former chief executive of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and long-standing club and committee member.The late John Purling, who died in April last year aged 69, was at the helm of the RNAA for 18 years until 2012.A 40-strong group, including his widow Ena and family, met under leaden skies to plant a large-leafed lime near the light horse ring – just yards from his former Norfolk showground office.The Dean of Norwich Cathedral, the Very Rev Jane Hedges, who was the 2017 RNAA president, led the dedication and brief prayers, on Thursday, November 1. Incidentally, she will be speaking and presenting the trophies at the club's annual dinner on Wednesday, March 20 at the Boathouse, Ormesby.When a long-established tree fell in the January storms, Greg Smith, chief executive, said that it was fitting to plant a replacement in Mr Purling’s memory.Among those gathered at the showground were Sir Timothy Colman, who was chairman of council when Mr Purling was appointed general manager in 1994. Two years later, he became chief executive, working with Henry Cator until 2009 and finally Sir Nicholas Bacon, who stands down as chairman of council next April.The president, Ben Turner, and other senior officials, including finance director Grant Pilcher, vice-chairman Rob Alston, and head stewards, past and present, and RNAA staff also attended In her closing remarks, the Dean read a brief extract from Isiah, Chap 55, v12:
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
As the rain started to fall, she invited members of the family to add some soil to the newly-planted tree.
Entry added: 02 Nov 2018 |
Quiz final success - It was a nail-biting climax to the latest Norfolk Quiz at Easton & Otley College but Stalham can celebrate some modest success. Stalham has a share of silverware for the first time in the nine-year history of the competition, sharing with friends and rivals from Holt & District Farmers' Club.
A combined team managed to defend a narrow lead from the half-way break and emerge triumphant by just half a point!
The combined brain power (!) of Nigel Cooke and your secretary, Michael Pollitt, and the invaluable knowledge of Mark Cook, Richard Procter-Smith and Edmund Stevens, won with 90.5 points. The runners-up, the Easton & Otley Staff, who were on the adjoining table, who were aiming for the third title, were pipped at the post on the final round of flag identification.
The quiz was organised by a former Stalham member, David Morton. It was extended to all the county's farming clubs in 2010 and a total of 14 teams took part on Monday, October 29. The questionmaster was Duncan Russell.
On a historic note, Holt has now won the county quiz five times including last night's combined success.
Entry added: 30 Oct 2018 |
Big investment planned for Kettle - A £3m investment programme will start on Monday at Kettle Foods to handle twice as many potatoes every day.About 50,000 tonnes of potatoes are grown each year in Norfolk within about 30 miles of the Bowthorpe, Norwich factory. And the new intake equipment, which replace some 25-year-old machinery, will move potatoes with more “tender, loving care” to reduce potential bruising to a minimum.Ashley Hicks, managing director, told a party of 20 members of Stalham Farmers’ Club that the work should be completed by April next year. About £1m has been grant-aided by the EU’s rural development programme.Dan Hewitt, head of agriculture – and incidentally a former club chairman in 2004 – said that that the new system would be able to handle about 550 tonnes a day instead of the current 220 tonnes. And by transporting the potatoes in a watery flume instead of on rubber belts, it would be kinder to the delivered crops, he said.The visitors were shown Kettle staff cooking all the crisps by hand in open vats containing sunflower oil. It takes about seven and a half minutes to cook about 50kg of crisps, which are fried at about 165C, to produce the authentic colour of a Kettle potato chip. They also watched a £1m robot pick up bags and pack them into boxes, ready for despatch to the firm’s Snetterton warehouse and distribution centre. As the company approaches its 30th anniversary next year of production in Norfolk, Mr Hicks that a series of initiatives are being planned to raise the profile and brand awareness. He said that still many people in the county did not realise that Kettle Chips were produced by about 400 staff at the Barnard Road factory. And he was determined to ensure that as many pubs, hotels and restaurants were selling Kettle Crisps. In the coming months, a promotional exercise would start with a “man and a van” to ensure their crisps stocked by more outlets in the county. Mr Hicks that a dedicated team of growers, mainly from Norfolk but also from neighbouring counties, supplied all the home-grown potatoes to meet the rising demand for Kettle Crisps. And by sourcing the seed potato varieties exclusively for its growers, it was able to have a dedicated supply chain from field to factory. As members left, they were able to sample the latest exclusive limited edition for Christmas – Truffled Cheese and Champagne.Paul Corfield who thanked the hosts said that it had been a most fascinating tour.
Entry added: 19 Oct 2018 |
Barley challenge.
Supreme champion inter-club malting barley grower William Mack will be defending his title against the best sample from a Stalham Farmers' Club member. He triumphed earlier this year with a sample of Propino, which was judged by Bob King, of Crisp Malting Group. Mr Mack, of Hempstead Hall, near Holt, won the Holt & District Farmers' Club championship with the same variety again. Entries from Stalham members may be delivered to Adams & Howling, which would please our vice-chairman, Chris Borrett, or delivered to Neal Sands at Sands Sprayers or members of the Frontier team. And, entries of wheat for the club's cup will be most welcome too. There is no entry fee! Entry added: 12 Oct 2018 |
Daisy is favourite.
A favourite variety of potatoes proved a hit with visitors to the HarFest at Norwich Cathedral. Tim Papworth brought a load of a crisping variety, Daisy, and managed to raise £316.52 for the East Anglia Air Ambulance. A grower for Kettle Foods, he had an odd surplus tonne of this variety to bring to the third annual event, run by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association. And by coincidence, his younger daughter is called Daisy.
Entry added: 07 Oct 2018 |
Invitation to tour Kettle Foods. If you'd like to join the visit on Tuesday, October 16, please let the secretary know by 10am on Friday, October 5. Early application is advised and already eight of the 25 places have been booked.
The tour by invitation of managing director Ashley Hicks will start at 5.30pm for 6pm. Incidentally, Kettle Foods has stated that if any member is involved "in any way with a competitor, please ensure that they do not attend the visit."
Entry added: 27 Sep 2018 |
Two-acre beet.
Entries for the two-acre sugar beet competition. This will be judged in mid-October - entries to the secretary by Friday, October 12, please.
Entry added: 27 Sep 2018 |
Grain samples
These may be submitted to Adams & Howling or left by permission of Neal Sands at his firm's Brunstead works.
Entry added: 27 Sep 2018 |