Congratulations - Former NFU president Minette Batters has been given a peerage by outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. In one of his final acts, published just an hour before the polls closed for yesterday's General Election, she was included in a list of political honours.
Minette, who spoke at the annual dinner of Stalham Farmers' Club in 2016, will sit as a crossbench peer in the Lords. And former environment secretary, Therese Coffey, was made a dame in the same list - which might be some slight compensation for losing her seat Suffolk Coastal MP to Labour just a few hours later. Another former environment secretary and later Britain's Prime Minister for 42 days, Liz Truss, lost her attempt to be re-elected for south-west Norfolk to Labour - by 630 votes. In what seems rather ungracious behaviour, she declined to make the traditional speech of thanks after the results of the count was declared.
Entry added: 05 Jul 2024 |
Blooming marvellous.
Brunstead Blooms was featured on BBC Radio 4’s Farming today programme as part of the week’s focus on the home-grown flower sector. Louisa Butcher launched her business growing a range of flowers on almost half an acre as part of a diversification plan for the family’s arable farm, which is run by her husband William Sands, the club’s former chairman. Louisa told presenter Anna Hill that all her flowers are grown without pesticides or crop protection products and she also runs a series of workshops and a pick your own flower enterprise too. Members, who visited her flower garden at last year’s chairman’s farm, were mightily impressed by her enthusiasm. To hear the full interview, go to Sounds and BBC Radio 4, Farming Today, Friday, May 24 at about 5.50am.
Entry added: 24 May 2024 |
MONDAY, JULY 8 FARM WALK: -
A joint farm walk with East Norfolk branch of the National Farmers' Union will be held by invitation of Tony and Emily Bambridge at Park Farm, Moorgate, Blickling NR11 6PU on Monday, July 8. starting promply at 6pm.
This is a two-hour walk through part of Blickling Park, passing along a stretch of the River Bure and water meadows, taking in the herd of Lincoln Red cattle and the Haflingers as well as some of the arable cropping on the higher ground.
To simplify arrangements, Tony will be pleased to lead members of Stalham Farmers' Club and the NFU on a walking tour - so sensible footwear/ clothing will be required.
There is no provision for vehicles, it is strictly on foot only. Please arrive in good time for prompt departure at 6pm.
There will be stops along the route with presentations including the following topics
* A member of the National Trust team will talk about plans for re-planting and re-shaping the park and forestry.
* Emily will talk about the Haflingers
* Members of Blickling Fishing Club will outline river management and wild brown trout
* Tony will talk about his Lincoln Red cattle.
On return to Park Farm, a hog roast supper will be served with drinks - provided by Stalham Farmers' Club and the East Norfolk NFU branch.
Numbers will be limited - so early application is advised. In addition, as parking is tight, please consider joining forces with neighbours/ friends to share transport.
As numbers will be limited, there may be a waiting list. The organisers ask that members do not just turn up as they will be disappointed.
Applications, please, preferably by email. They will be acknowledged - if you don't get confirmation in the following days, it may not have been received!
Applications to -
Michael Pollitt, secretary, Stalham Farmers' Club - michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com or telephone 01603 486997
or to NFU, North Walsham, office - email - northwalsham@nfumutual.co.uk or telephone 01692 402929
Entry added: 22 May 2024 |
Annual dinner picture gallery
Photographer Simon Finlay captured the magic of the latest annual dinner with more than 150 shots - and some candid images too. Flick through the slide show - go to Photo Gallery (left) and find Club Dinner 2024.
Entry added: 19 Mar 2024 |
Superb annual dinner:-
A move to the Lodge, Salhouse, for the club’s annual dinner and presentation of prizes was a spectacular success. When retiring chairman William Sands thanked the team, there was loud applause from the company of 115 members and guests. The guest speaker Mark Nicholas, of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Agricultural Association, presented the awards and Mr Sands handed over the chairman’s gavel to his successor Jonathan Pye. It was also announced that Stalham’s John McLeod had won the inter-club supreme malting barley award with a sample of Maris Otter.
Full story, see the Minutes and Reports on the left.
Entry added: 18 Mar 2024 |
February’s five inches of rainfall – Sunshine, wind and yet more rain on Friday, March 1. Rainfall recorder and Stalham Farmers’ Club member Alistair Wright logged almost three times more rainfall at Church Farm, Stalham, than the 32-year average for February. As a recorder for the Norfolk Rainfall Organisation, a total of 124.6mm (or almost five inches) fell during the 29 days of February.
Average rainfall in February, 32-year average - 46.76mm and the 10-year average - 45.9mm.
His late father, Nigel, started recording in 1971 and according to his records, the previous wettest February months were – 2010, 92.63mm; 1990, 77.8mm and 1977, 73.91mm. It does seem that the long-term trend is for heavier rainfall in the winter months.
Entry added: 01 Mar 2024 |
Swimmer raises charity cash - A donation of £750 was made on behalf of Stalham Farmers’ Club to the Holt Youth Project following Tom Hume’s inspirational talk about swimming the Channel last September. For more than an hour, Stalham’s first member to complete the 23-mile crossing held his 30-strong audience spellbound. Mr Hume and a friend, Ed Sargent, from Thurning, raised £50,000 for the project. Robin Baines proposed the donation, which was enthusiastically agreed. Full report – See minutes and reports on the left Entry added: 10 Feb 2024 |
New chairman elected – Jonathan Pye takes the wheel as chairman after the club’s annual dinner on March 13, 2024. He succeeds William Sands, who opened the 182nd annual meeting at Wroxham Barns on Wednesday, February 7. A new membership secretary Jo Willetts was appointed. There were 30 members and guests present and 19 members attended the supper beforehand. After the formal business, club member and veterinary surgeon Tom Hume gave a fascinating insight into his three-year training programme to swim the Channel Last September. A total of 76 solo swimmers crossed last year – and he joins the elite club of 1,903 who have completed the 21-mile swim since 1875. Meeting report - See minutes and reports on the left Entry added: 08 Feb 2024 |
A change of speaker – Tom Hume will speak about his cross-Channel swim, which helped to raise £50,000 for Holt Youth Project. A clash of dates has prevented the original speaker from attending our meeting.
Veterinary surgeon Tom, of the Westover large animal practice, who was injured playing rugby for Holt RFC, set himself a challenge – so, he decided to swim the Channel last September. A trustee of Holt Youth Project, he will brief members on the extraordinary achievements since it was started some 35 years ago.
Wednesday, February 7 – Wroxham Barns NR12 8QU. Supper £20 per head, including welcome drink. Please book in advance to Michael Pollitt by Monday, February 5, noon. The two-course meal – Beef Bourginion with vegetables and dessert.
Meet from 6pm, meal served at 6.30pm. The meeting starts at 7.30pm. Contact Michael Pollitt – on michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com or telephone 01603 486997 for more details. All bookings will be acknowledged. If you don’t hear from me, it is likely your email has not arrived. Entry added: 23 Jan 2024 |
Welcome to new members and YFC guests - A warm welcome to new member Sam Mitchell at the 2024 opening meeting at Wroxham Barns.North Walsham YFC members joined the vice-chairman Jonathan Pye and speaker Henry Lamb as 27 enjoyed a tasty meal, prepared by Jack Stuttle and his team. A fascinating briefing on the rapid spread of avian flu in the past three years was presented by the Young Farm Vet of the Year Mr Lamb, who is based at Attleborough. Fortunately, there have been five confirmed cases in Britain since October but the poultry sector must maintain the highest standards of biosecurity especially as the mid to late February wild bird migration could be a threat. He was thanked by Polly Papworth and Alison Saunders, of North Walsham YFC. Full report – see Minutes and Reports 2024. Entry added: 12 Jan 2024 |