RURAL CRIME WAVE
A worrying crime wave of hi-tech equipment across the country and especially in north and east Norfolk - as highlighted in the EDP today. It has calculated the thefts from tractors/ combines and sprayers as much as £250,000 from a dozen farms. Have these thefts been happening in other parts of the eastern counties too?
Entry added: 07 Dec 2022 |
UPDATE AND GRAIN COMPETITIONS
The whole crop sugar beet competition has been judged and samples taken for analysis in the best two-acre by Sam Summers, of British Sugar. We appreciate his energetic support and especially in carrying heavy bags of beet samples across muddy fields on his young shoulders!
Definitely last call for grain samples for the wheat and barley cup judging. Please bring them to the meeting or alternatively, by permission of Neal Sands, they may be left at his Brunstead works.
Entry added: 07 Dec 2022 |
An "electrifying" speaker Damian Baker, of RenEnergy, kicked off the winter season with a fascinating talk about the potential for solar energy generation. During his wide-ranging talk, he answered questions for more than an hour. Well-known to club members, he had managed the late Hugh Crane's Upton farm in the 1990s before joining the British Potato Council, and then setting up RenEnergy in 2003. Mr Baker was looking forward to taking delivery of a new Lotus electric SUV next year. In the absence of the chairman, William Sands, who had tested positive for Covid-19 for the past 10 days, the former chairman Chris Borrett took the chair. Two new members were elected - details, see meeting report. Entry added: 17 Nov 2022 |
New season, new meeting place
Welcome to the club’s November meeting – Wednesday, November 16 - and a new location – Rossi’s at North Walsham.
And if you’d like to join the chairman Will Sands for supper, and the guest speaker, Damien Baker, of RenEnergy, please let the secretary know.
Wednesday, November 16 (7.30pm) – “Green energy – harnessing power from the land by Damien Baker.” Supper will be served about 6.30pm and members will be most welcome to join the chairman from about 6pm beforehand for a drink.
Supper costs £15 for a two-course meal – lasagne with garlic bread and sticky toffee pudding. Meals must be booked in advance, by 6pm on Monday, November 14. Let the secretary know – michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com or telephone 01603 486997. All bookings will be acknowledged.
December’s meeting on Wednesday, December 14 will also be at Rossi’s. It has not been possible to meet at Vera’s, hence the change of venue to Rossi’s, North Walsham NR28 0JQ
Entries for the whole crop beet are needed urgently, please. At present, there’s a bare handful, so the field is field is wide open and wet!
Also samples for the club’s two grain competitions can be brought to the meeting or delivered, thanks to Neal Sands, to his factory at Brunstead. As there are some cracking samples of wheat and barley, don’t leave them in the shed, please.
Further dates
Wednesday, January 11 – Secrets of the Deep – finding the wreck of Gloucester – Julian Barnwell.
Wednesday, February 15 – A strategy for Broadland – Environment Agency speakers.
Annual dinner and prize giving – Wednesday, March 15 – speaker, Gavin Lane, national vice-president of the Country Land and Business Association.
First, apologies for the delay in sending out the meeting details. Entry added: 08 Nov 2022 |
Stalham Farmers’ Club’s 2022 autumn programme:
Five meetings have been arranged for Stalham Farmers’ Club’s winter programme.
Dates for your diary/ calendar -
Wednesday, November 16 – Green energy – harnessing power from the land by Damien Baker.
Wednesday, December 14 – Coastal retreat – Solutions? – Dr Sophie Day.
Wednesday, January 11 – Secrets of the Deep – finding the wreck of Gloucester – Julian Barnwell.
Wednesday, February 15 – A strategy for Broadland – Environment Agency speakers.
Annual dinner and prize giving – Wednesday, March 15 – speaker, Gavin Lane, national vice-president of the Country Land and Business Association.
Entry added: 11 Oct 2022 |
Crop competitions:
Entries for the club’s sugar beet whole crop competition will be welcome. Again, the judging was postponed to allow the crop to recover from the prolonged summer drought. Your grain samples for both the wheat and barley cup would be much appreciated.
Entry added: 11 Oct 2022 |
Stalham Farmers' crop competition entries, please
In one of the most exceptionally challenging harvests for some years, it is planned to hold the club's annual competitions - for potatoes, sugar beet and cereals.
As potato crops are advancing rapidly, it is the intention to judge this competition as soon as possible in early to mid-August. Judging of the sugar beet competition should follow in September, rain permitting.
And early risers may have heard Andrew Blenkiron, of the Euston estate, talking about the challenging of irrigating crops of onions, carrots and potatoes on BBC Radio 4 Farming Today (5.45am, Tuesday, July 26). He told Anna Hill that the estate's 80m gallon reservoir on the Suffolk/ Norfolk border was now empty. The larger, 100m gallon reservoir, had less than 15m gallons remaining, he added.
As growers struggle to keep crops - especially potatoes going in this hot, dry weather, it seems sensible to aim to judge this competition sooner rather than later.
Accordingly, if entries could be submitted by August 1, then an attempt will be made to judge as soon as practically possible.
Please could you let me have a location of the field - crop area, variety (and date planted) and indication of likely market would be helpful. Also, it would greatly assist to find the right crop if the field entrance could be identified. There's no charge for entering. I'll confirm your entry on receipt.
If you'd like further details, please contact me - 01603 486997 or email michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com.
Also, please retain samples of barley - and of course, wheat for entry in the cereal competitions. Maybe the new Mayor of Stalham might be invited to view the winning grain samples too - given that the town council has now voted to have its first Mayor in its 1000-year plus history!
Entry added: 26 Jul 2022 |
Last-minute invitation to visit Shropshire's fenland enterprises
On Thursday, June 23, there is an opportunity to join the visit to Shropshire's fenland enterprises. Holt & District Farmers' Club has organised the trip and hired a coach. There are some vacancies and a further eight or nine would help to defray the overall cost. It includes lunch and the aim is to pick up from Holt at 8.30am or about 9am on the A148 - to spend a full morning and afternoon looking at the specialist vegetable, mushroom and other aspects of the business. If anyone would like to join the party, please let me know as soon as possible. Obviously, there will be a cost, which should be pretty reasonable. The plan is to return to Holt by about 6pm.
Contact Michael Pollitt - 01603 486997 or email - michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com
Entry added: 10 Jun 2022 |
Sunshine for annual farm walk.
More than 100 members of East Norfolk NFU and Stalham Farmers' Club enjoyed the generous hospitality of the Clabon family after a tour of the extensive arable business. Bob Clabon, branch chairman, welcomed the visitors to Rookery Farm, North Walsham. And the mood was definitely upbeat as a really good rain the previous day had transformed crops and the countryside looked incredibly green. Fortunately, the sunshine arrived, which was appreciated by the visitors. Thanks to the farmers providing the trailers - Simon Daniels, Tim Papworth, Joe Mitchell and Richard Hirst, who incidentally gave the vote of thanks. The Clabon family provided the hog roast, which was doubly welcome as the sun went down, and the NFU and Stalham Farmers stood the drinks. Full report of the visit the Minutes and Reports tab on the left.
Entry added: 10 Jun 2022 |
Join the Club's Annual Farm Walk: -
Bob Clabon, who is also chairman of East Norfolk NFU branch, has kindly invited fellow members and Stalham members to tour the family's farm on Tuesday, June 7 - arrive 5.30pm for 6pm departure. Please reply to the NFU office - email to northwalsham@nfumutual.co.uk or telephone the NFU Group Office 01692 402929 with names of those wishing to attend, no later than 1st June. Meet at: Rookery Farm, North Walsham, Norfolk, NR28 0RF. Directions: Take the B1145 out of North Walsham sign posted towards Mundesley. Look for a left hand turning just past the Quaker Meeting House and before a bridge. Entry added: 25 May 2022 |