0 Farmers NEW YEAR 2020 • ISSUE 284
Club
www.thefarmersclub.com
INSIDE SPIRIT update p5 House of Lords p8 Productivity challenge p10 Politics in focus p12 RICS champ p14 John Nicholson obituary p15 Golf society p16 Political promises p17 Charity ride p17 Smokin’ Chef p18 Under 30s Dinner p19 Under 30s Inter-Club p20 Club Calendar p24 INSERTS Titian St George’s day lunch La Boheme Balmoral & Royal Highland Shows Chairman’s visit to Edinburgh Members Information Sheet
East Lothian Chairman Allan Stevenson chairs the Club in 2020 p6
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Farmers Club Serving the farming industry for 175 years 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL Patron – Her Majesty The Queen
Contents
FRONT COVER Farmers Club Chairman for 2020 is East Lothian root crop farmer and businessman Allan Stevenson, pictured here with partner Ali in a fine crop of potatoes at Luffness Mains Farm, Aberlady last summer. Photography: Craig Stephen www.craig-stephen.co.uk Disclaimer: The articles published in The Farmers Club Journal do not necessarily reflect the views of The Farmers Club. No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in the magazine can be accepted by the publisher. Advertisements are included in good faith. All rights reserved.
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Chairman’s Comments New Chairman focuses on Club year ahead
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Club News Project SPIRIT progress, Reception hours extended
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Potato producer chairs Club in 2020 An insight into East Lothian root crop farmer Allan Stevenson – Chairman of the Club for the year ahead
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House of Lords Luncheon Speaker Lady Rosie Boycott provides a considered view of the opportunities and challenges for farming in the UK
10 Productivity hurdles UK farming is hampered by a myriad of issues. Tackling the challenges – human and technical – is critical to success
12 Agri-politics in perspective A new farming agenda is starting to take shape as politicians grapple to define the UK’s post-Brexit future
14 RICS champ sur veyor Worcestershire Farmers Club member scoops top award
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15 John Nicholson obituar y Tribute to 1993 Club Chairman and businessman
16 Golf Society winter report A fine series of matches, and our Schedule for 2020
17 Political promises in figures
Manifesto pledges in stats – how many will be delivered?
17 Charity pedalling Club members raise funds on their bikes
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18 Chef ’s page Sussex smokery tempts the taste-buds
19 Under 30s Autumn Dining Evening An inspiring evening with Baroness Byford
20 Under 30s Inter-Club event Three members champion British food
22 Club Information and Contacts
02 • The Farmers Club New Year 2020
Chairman’s Comments • Allan Stevenson
worked tirelessly, attending a huge number of events in the Club and around the UK and abroad, but he has taken active strategic steps to prepare the Club for its future. A great example is the detailed paper he prepared regarding our property leases, which are all due to expire in 2086, as reported in the Winter Journal; this resulted in some key decisions about our commitments to continue to grow the lease renewal fund. Farming challenges At home on the farm, two weeks before Christmas, we are busy harvesting carrots all of which are shipped to customers in England. We dearly hope this does not become an ‘export’ market in the years ahead. We have not suffered as badly as some areas of the country in recent weeks with incessant rainfall, but we still had 87mm in October and 96mm in November. This rainfall has made it very challenging and expensive for my farming team on a day-to-day basis. Now we have reached the massive ramp up in production for Christmas, we pray for a drier few weeks ahead. My sympathy is with other farmers having a worse time of it just now.
Chairman’s Comments “The result of the General Election takes a lot of potentially damaging rural policy issues off the table, but I am still left wondering if Boris and his team will be supportive of domestic food production and agriculture generally.”
SEVERAL weeks before Christmas I was introduced to the concept of journalistic deadlines, with the Club Journal editor Charles Abel informing me my first deadline was fast approaching: “get used to it, there are six of them in the year ahead, and I need plenty of time to review your comments”. Keen to get ahead and prepare to be a compliant Chairman in 2020, I decided it was time to use the dictation tool in Microsoft Word to speed the process. However, I soon discovered I needed to upgrade the software and this has taken far longer to figure out than to write my first comments! Farm restructuring Having invested in trying to make myself more efficient, it appears to me that in so doing I have faced up to one of the post-Brexit challenges that farmers must face in their businesses – to restructure themselves for an uncertain future.
Ali and I are very excited at the prospect of our journey ahead at the Farmers Club in 2020. We have been working up our part of the large event programme, which includes a three-day visit to Edinburgh and East Lothian immediately prior to the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston. We are looking forward to a trip to Beaune in the Rhône Valley in France for mid-September. This reflects my personal love of white Burgundies and Ali is in the process of setting up some equestrian events for members, with eventing at Badminton and national hunt racing at Cheltenham during the year. We will also have a trip to the Netherlands to see the confluence of scientific research, innovation and private and public sector teamwork in agriculture, assisted by the Dutch Embassy in London.
As you will see in more detail on pages 6-7, I am an arable farmer in East Lothian, Scotland, the kind that takes real production and financial risks in difficult markets, experiencing significant weather risks. I farm with Alison, known as Ali, supported by an excellent farm manager who takes care of the business day to day, allowing me time to be your new Farmers Club Chairman with other roles too.
Election results Wow! The results of the General Election are in and who is not surprised at the success of the Conservatives and the SNP. While this takes a lot of potentially damaging rural policy issues off the table, I am still left wondering if Boris and his team will be supportive of domestic food production and agriculture generally. In Scotland we probably have more to worry about with a single-issue party running a devolved government and a strong voice at Westminster as well. We shall see how this develops in the months ahead.
As I write this there are still a few weeks to go until Nick Helme hands over the reins to me on January 1st. Nick has been terrific to work with in the past year and I would like to pay tribute to his achievements as Club Chairman. Not only has he
I am looking forward to meeting as many members as possible at the Club and in the country at the many shows I will be attending with Ali and Andrei this year. Please introduce yourselves and tell me your stories.
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www.thefarmersclub.com • 03
Andrei Spence • Club News
Club News Festive season brings warmth to the Club
look magnificent, with the last remaining shared bathroom finally removed. We also announced extended opening times of the Reception desk at the Club. This followed many requests from members, an increasingly busy Club at weekends, and an effort to increase levels of service, safety and security throughout the Club. It has already been commented on most favourably by members. New Chairman As we look forward to another busy year, may I take the opportunity to welcome as your new President and Club Chairman, Mr Allan Stevenson and his partner, Alison. The team are looking forward to supporting Allan during his year and we have collectively built a busy but diverse programme of educational, scientific, sector and social events and visits around the UK and Europe, which we will look to add to as the year progresses. The first of those events will be the Monday Evening Lecture on January 20 when we welcome Christine Tacon CBE, the current Groceries Code Adjudicator and former head of the Co-operative Group’s farming business.
You know the end of a year is fast approaching as the Club dons its ‘Christmas attire’ with tree, baubles and festive Amaryllis to the fore, transforming the Club and brightening the dark winter nights, writes Club Secretary & Chief Executive Andrei Spence. The run up to Christmas marks a real transition in how the Club operates and is used, shifting emphasis from the many Club events throughout the year, and becoming a ‘go-to’ venue for many societal, group and business Christmas lunches/dinners that members bring their friends and colleagues to. The Club was extremely busy from midNovember, and increasingly so at the weekends, no doubt concomitant to late seasonal London shopping trips, for which we are ideally placed as a haven of peace and tranquillity!! Under 30s events All that said, the Under 30s held their final event of the year, the Dining Evening, in late November. Good numbers supported the event and Baroness Byford provided a very interesting speech (p19). This followed on from a hugely successful InterClub event hosted at the Club earlier in the winter (p20+21).
04 • The Farmers Club New Year 2020
In early December, several Committee members travelled from all parts of the country to support and speak with the staff team at the Staff/Committee Christmas buffet – a great opportunity for Committee members to meet the team who are not ‘front of house’ but whose contribution is every bit as important, and for the team to get to know the Committee. My personal thanks to those members who made it to London at this busy time of year – it is really appreciated. Thanks also to Peter Jinman OBE, 2018 President and Chairman, for his service and contribution to the Club and committee since 2013, having completed his term of office as Immediate Past Chairman at the end of 2019. Bedrooms refurbished At the end of the year we finally welcomed back those rooms which were being refurbished. Many of you will have read in my e-newsletter about the asbestos/ licence-for-work issues we had. Thankfully, these were overcome and the rooms now
Regional events We aim to visit eight agricultural shows again this year, including a return to the Royal Highland Showground and dinner in the newly built Members Pavilion, and dinner on board the SS NOMADIC (the last existing White Star Line ship in the world) as a precursor to the Balmoral Show in Northern Ireland. There will be visits to the Opera and Ballet in London, to Chelsea, Hampton Court and Chatsworth Flower shows, a Chairman’s tour encapsulating the Lothians, a trip to the Burgundy region of France, the Badminton Horse Trials and much more. Please look out for details as the year progresses.
New Reception Opening Hours Due to member demand and to enhance the levels of service for longer periods, Reception desk opening hours have been extended to: Monday to Friday inclusive 7am-11pm Saturday and Sunday 8am-4pm At weekends we encourage you to arrive and check in between 2pm and 3.30pm, so our team can assist you, instead of the Whitehall Court Porters.
Club News • Andrei Spence
IT Project bedding in As I write we are a couple of weeks from finalising almost all aspects of the IT project, and by the time you read this, we will be just about done. This has been a hugely complex project, involving a lot of people, staff and contractors, to achieve a first in the hospitality business worldwide. We expect and are experiencing a couple of glitches, but the system is good, will enable the team here to run the Club far more efficiently and will enable members to interact and book various elements far more easily. Whilst it is almost always wrong to single out individuals in this type of project, Vlad Crisan (IT Manager), Zarreena Neeson (Financial Controller/Systems), Jelle van Esseveld (Restaurant Manager), Mark Fairbairn (Membership Database), Marlene Abrahams (Reservations) and not least, Virginia Masser, without whose expertise, drive and determination, we would not have had a system at all – I have been superbly supported and the Club is ready to go forward in this regard for the next 10 years or so. It has been an immense achievement.
Members Information Sheet Please be advised that the Members Information Sheet has been updated with new rates, new Reception Opening Hours and more. See insert enclosed.
Club Directory There is a Club Directory in every bedroom and now one on the desk near Reception. It aims to answer all the frequently asked questions, and more, to ensure you have a great stay. Please take time to read it.
John Nicholson Early December brought some very sad news of the death of past President and Chairman of the Club, Mr John Nicholson (1993) following a fall sustained during a progressive illness. Our thoughts are with his family (p15 obituary).
Club Calendar Diary Dates
See back cover/website for Calendar of Club events
New Year’s Eve Party The final event of the year was the much anticipated New Years’ Eve Black Tie Dinner attended by 97 members and their guests. Champagne, a four course dinner, fine wines, more Champagne, and bacon and sausage rolls for those with the stamina led up to the grand finale when the Mayor of London kindly organised the globally famous London Eye fireworks, right in front of the Club Terrace… how very thoughtful!! The evening also marked the last event in a very busy year for outgoing Chairman Nick Helme, ably supported as she has done all year, by his wife Donna. We thank Nick for his leadership at the helm of the Club and for Donna’s involvement and wish them both a little time off for rest and recuperation!
King’s College Choir On December 16 we took a party of 40 members to hear the exquisite and world-renowned Choir of King’s College Cambridge herald the Christmas season. A glorious programme of festive classics included a sublime selection of carols performed by the chapel choristers and supported by the Crouch End Festival Chorus and the Philharmonia Orchestra at Barbican Hall. The musical evening was preceded by an excellent early supper in the Club, before transport took us to the venue. Club member David Farrant commented: “Thank you for organising the King’s outing, it went like clockwork. The concert was beyond our expectations, the same comment was made by many members.”
www.thefarmersclub.com • 05
Charles Abel • Chairman Profile
East Lothian arable farmer is new Club Chairman
“The Club has a very, very important role for networking, socially, and in business, where we need to make sure we engage with the leading players.”
Our chairman for 2020 champions fresh farm produce, Club networking and sport, especially skiing and golf. Charles Abel introduces Allan Stevenson EMERGING through the foggy murk of a typical east coast “haar” new Club Chairman Allan Stevenson’s grandfather had just a pound in his pocket as he embarked, in 1913, on a new farming venture beside the Firth of Forth – less than 20 miles east of bustling Edinburgh and only a mile from stunning beaches and a coastline full of diverse wildlife. The youngest son of an Ayrshire potato farmer he relied on an old bike for transport and rented a room in the village for a year as he sought to establish his new tenancy on Luffness estate – near Aberlady Bay. Earth floors, working horses and an outside toilet characterised the early days, but thanks to hard work he became established as a young farmer, saving up to marry, and subsequently raising four children, including Allan’s father. “Grandfather’s world was the size of a tattie, extending as far as a horse would travel, and
06 • The Farmers Club New Year 2020
maybe a train ride, with foreign travel unknown,” Allan reflects. “He was a man of the land and his produce. However, the farm prospered, and he gave his children a good start in life and invested hard in the house and farm.” Allan’s father, John, sadly passed away last summer. “Dad saw the emerging global perspective, the price-taking challenges in farming and became diversified in business and agricultural matters beyond the farm gate – strangely, despite my different career direction, his world very much became my world in recent years,” Allan reflects. By the 1970s the small Luffness Mains enterprise was being overseen by a manager from the relatively less difficult ‘prairies’ of Lincolnshire. Despite generally favourable farming markets at the time, John’s advice to Allan was clear – “pursue a career outside agriculture”, a comment repeated to his grandchildren too.
2020 Chairman Allan Stevenson – a Scottish arable farmer known for a few tatties and a sociable outlook.
Chairman Profile • Charles Abel Innovative farming Luffness Mains, which Allan has farmed since 2001, now crops over 1000 acres of land in East Lothian and elsewhere in the central belt with potatoes, carrots, vegetables and cereals. Sustainability is important – the farm has been LEAF Marque accredited for many years. “We are passionate about the far-from-humble potato and are recognised as specialists in this crop after growing it at home for over 100 years,” says Allan. Around 10,000 tonnes of root crops are grown, including 16 potato varieties in 2019 for fresh retail and food service markets, processing for crisps and chips, and some seed for UK and North African customers. About 3000 tonnes of carrots are sold to English markets, with a small area overwintered and covered for the very late season. Taking Dad’s advice – personal diversification After securing a business degree from the University of Edinburgh, Allan qualified as a Chartered Accountant, gaining experience mostly as Finance Director in industry sectors including food, automotive and an international capital project consulting group, in the UK and overseas. Recent years have been spent as a Non-Executive Director in a range of public and private sector organisations, the most relevant to agriculture being Chair of AHDB’s Potato Council, Director of the James Hutton Institute and RSABI. Allan and his partner Ali have four grown-up children between them – two each. Ali is a very keen follower of point-to-pointing and National Hunt Racing and plans to support Allan by attending many summer shows and Club events this year. Allan’s son Nick trains surgeons in Oxford, while his daughter Hayley, a recent medical biology graduate, is learning the art of running a business in Brisbane, Australia. Ali’s two girls studied at Stellenbosch University in the beautiful Cape wine producing region in South Africa. Their father, a Club Member, has a farm in Norfolk and a wine estate in Paarl, producing famous White Pinotage wine. Emma is married and works in London in event management. Laura has a Masters degree in Philosophy and works for Edinburgh University; she is Allan’s go-to wordsmith for checking his Chairman’s Comments!
Allan and partner Alison – looking forward to meeting members in the Club and at events throughout the year “What a great time to be moving into the Chair role when membership engagement is rising and many new members are discovering that our traditional ‘home from home’ atmosphere is better than ever. The Club is a real place of fun for me. It’s providing a safe and happy place for families and friends and terrific agricultural industry networking.
Club plans As a past Chairman of the Club’s Communications Committee Allan is well known for his self-deprecating humour, strong networking skills, and keen sense of fellowship.
“The bedrooms are not just very comfortable, but highly competitively priced and the food and beverage experience is something I’m championing elsewhere in my network. Just look at our fantastic ‘Food at the Farmers’ Club’ recipe book from our great chef Paul. As a member of the global gastronomy organisation Chaine des Rôtisseurs, I have a love of food and wine and our Club delivers it all.”
“I’ve now had 4 years on the club committee, which has been dominated by the huge investment in the club’s infrastructure, facilities and critically important in-service standards. Now we have a wholesale replacement of the IT systems coming through into 2020 which may seem dull, but has huge potential for service improvement to the membership.
Allan pays tribute to previous committees for their leadership and foresight to make the investments on behalf of the membership and to the management team for delivering on their vision. Looking ahead, he is keen for the Club to further develop around the country and he and Club Secretary/CEO Andrei Spence are working up an exhausting events calendar for 2020.
“I would invite members to get in touch with how they think we could achieve a wider connection with the membership, especially with boots on the ground at farming events. Farming, after all, remains the bedrock on which the Club is built.”
www.thefarmersclub.com • 07
Club Event • Charles Abel
Lords luncheon “Government needs to make a massive investment for health, jobs, well-being of the countryside and climate change.”
Food and farming are getting a rough deal in policy circles the annual House of Lords Luncheon heard. Charles Abel reports FARMING’S role in society and the nation’s economy were the focus of attention as Baroness Boycott addressed The Farmers Club’s annual House of Lords Luncheon just days before the new Conservative Government was voted in late last year. Entering the House of Lords via Black Rod’s Entrance – used just a few days later for the official opening of the new session of Parliament – Club members and guests gathered in the Cholmondeley Room before moving through to the adjacent Thames-side Terrace for the annual event, which was once again very kindly hosted by His Grace the Duke of Montrose. Lady Boycott, who grew up near Ludlow, Herefordshire, not far from 2019 Club Chairman Nick Helme’s home, became a cross-bench life peer in 2018 and takes a keen interest in all things food and farming.
08 • The Farmers Club New Year 2020
She shared fond recollections of an idyllic family farm in Great Tew, which produced pigs for Waitrose, but sadly went out of business due to the high standards demanded and an inability to compete with cheaper imports. After spells writing for and editing various publications, including feminist trail-blazer Spare Rib, UK Esquire, The Independent (Observer) and Daily Express, she went on to run a small-holding in Somerset. Food system fascination That enterprise went bust, but not before Lady Boycott gained an enduring and abiding interest in food, its production, and how it is all too often taken for granted. A spell as London Mayor Boris Johnson’s food czar opened her eyes to the under-representation of food and food politics in government. “It’s a muddle, with Prof Tim Laing (of City University) calculating that 17 (government) departments all have a bit of food,” she reflected. Lady Boycott is now championing a one-year Lords Committee looking at “Food poverty, Health and the Environment”, which is chaired by fellow
Charles Abel • Club Event standards would be upheld. Similarly, Government plans to restrict migrant labour to roles paying £30,000-plus per annum was ridiculous. A worker crisis was looming. “I’m not sure people are listening.” Climate change was an added pressure, not just by way of severe weather events, but pressure on farming’s greenhouse gas emissions too She felt healthier diets, with more plant-based food and livestock fed primarily on pasture rather than rainforest-destroying soya were needed. “A healthy diet is healthy for the environment too.” Dietary issues She lamented the heavy cost of poor diet. Almost a third of children eat no vegetables. Shockingly, she said the effect of poor diet on children had been shown to slash 18.3 months from their academic development. Yet the Government’s “eat-well” plate would cost a family on benefits 74% of their disposable income.
cross-bencher Lord John Krebs (www.parliament. uk/food-pov-health-enviro-comm). “Food is something we can’t live without, we need it, but we undervalue it. “It really horrifies me that the whole agri-food sector is worth £113bn a year, but only £9.2bn gets back to farmers. Where does the other £100bn go – to packaging, marketing, processing. This is one of the great disconnections of our time and it has to be changed.” Farmers take too much of the risk for too little reward, she reckoned. The difficult wet autumn made that all too clear. “Farmers take a lot of risks and get a very bad press.” Profit slump A recent Strutt & Parker report suggesting half of farmers would see their net profit drop by 4768% by 2028, with average profits down 37%, highlighted the pressure on the sector. “We have to have a new scheme, the Agriculture Bill, but I would argue that its eight priorities should include farming profitability. Food production has to be right up there.” Furthermore, how will payments for public goods work. “The idea of measuring public goods is mind-boggling.” Policy durability is also an issue. “Schemes seem to come and go – but planting a hedge needs many years of guaranteed support.” The spectre of free trade deals, especially with the USA, hung over Government claims that
“Farmers need to get [paid] more, good food needs to be more available, and the environmental system needs to be sound. We need better regulation of a more transparent food system. Maybe farm-gate prices should be made more transparent, so the public can see what farmers are getting,” she suggested. Greater localisation, and more collaboration, were clearly needed, not least around the provision of abattoirs. “Government needs to make a massive investment for health, jobs, well-being of the countryside and climate change,” she concluded. Just a few days later the Conservative Party won its over-whelming mandate to define the UK’s future. Time will tell how much attention it pays to the rural sector.
“It really horrifies me that the whole agri-food sector is worth £113bn a year, but only £9.2bn gets back to farmers.”
CLUB EVENTS Details of further Club Events, including the Monday Evening Lecture on Monday 6th April 2020, can be found on page 24 of this Journal or contact Club Administrator Anita Kaur on 020 7930 3751 e-mail: administrator@ thefarmersclub. com
The Farmers Club Monogrammed Wraps/Blankets The Farmers Club recently introduced monogrammed wraps/blankets to the Terrace, to keep members warm when needed. These luxurious wraps are available to buy in the Club during these winter months. They can be wrapped around your shoulders providing a cosy, warm soft cushion against the colder weather. Provided by The Fine Cotton Company (www.thefinecottoncompany. com) they are made in the UK from 100% lambswool. The company believes that “natural is better.” We also have leather holders that enable you to wrap them up, store them neatly away when not in use, carry over your shoulder or throw them in the back of the 4 x 4. These high quality, luxurious wraps/blankets are available at the special price of £99 and the leather holders are optional at £20. If you would like to take a look, there is one in the merchandise cupboard on the Upper Ground floor and Reception will be able to assist you with a purchase.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 09
Charles Abel • Farm management
Productivity
plateau Swathes of UK farming are constrained by a productivity barrier. Removing that blockage is a key challenge as the new decade dawns. Charles Abel reports from a key industry seminar
“Wheat is fantastic at capturing carbon, sequestering 18.5t/ha of biomass, equivalent to 30t of CO2 per hectare.” “The world record on-farm wheat yield – 16.7t/ha – would produce five 500g loaves of bread per square meter.”
AGRICULTURAL policy must balance food, environmental, climate and societal objectives. But failing to address farming’s underlying productivity barrier leaves the industry hamstrung – hindering its efforts to deliver across such a wide range of objectives. So what can be done? Identifying the issues is a good starting point. At an agenda-setting seminar organised by CARAS and WCF in London late last year industry experts looked at the underlying constraints before an audience of key influencers considered potential solutions. Extracting the last kilo of profitable output – be it from wheat or any other farm product – is central to the industry’s prospects as a less-supported UK agriculture looks to grapple with a host of issues, including Brexit, over the coming decade. Yet the average productivity of wheat, like many farm-gate outputs, has remained stubbornly static for almost 20 years. Plateaued outputs not only undermine UK competitiveness, they leave the
CARAS PAPER The Council for Awards for Royal Agricultural Societies (CARAS) is a fellowship of over 1200 men and women recognized for outstanding contributions to UK agriculture and made Fellows of the Royal Agricultural Societies (FRAgS). Over 500 FRAgS comprise the English section, a group of which met in late 2019, hosted by the Worshipful Company of Farmers (WCF). For a full copy of the paper Optimising wheat yields in the UK see: www.royalagriculturalsocietiesawards.org
10 • The Farmers Club New Year 2020
sector ill-equipped to address global food security issues identified in the 2011 Foresight Report. A panoply of interacting issues pressing down on wheat yields (panels 1-3) were identified as experts briefed the audience, chaired by Dr Alastair Leake of the Allerton Project, and welcomed by Rosie Carne, Master of the Worshipful Company of Farmers, at its Livery Hall in central London. An in-depth debate followed, chaired by Denis Chamberlain, generating a suite of factors that could help the industry respond (panel 4). Roles were identified for many stakeholders, not least policy makers, input suppliers, advisors, and farmers themselves. Well suited to wheat The UK is well suited to growing wheat, with the world record yield regularly swapping between the UK and New Zealand. New varieties have offered a rise in yield potential of 0.6% year-on-year for almost two decades, the Recommended List showed, according to Bill Clark, Technical Director of NIAB. But with plant protection options reducing, pests, weeds and diseases becoming harder to manage, and environmental obligations intensifying, including laws requiring sub-optimal nitrogen, yields may struggle to stand still, never mind rise. Furthermore, maximum yield does not necessarily mean maximum profit. Input responses are not guaranteed in a dynamic biological system, especially given variations in soil type/depth/health and farming system, noted Tina Barsby, CEO of NIAB. Add the variability of the weather, crop values, input costs and end-product demand, and little wonder producers are cautious – failing to realise the full genetic potential of the wheat they plant. Compounding that downside is climate change, with drought, excess rain and warmer temperatures already affecting yields, and all set to intensify. Those factors alone could potentially off-set today’s 0.6% per annum gains in genetic potential, noted Prof Donal O’Sullivan BSC, PhD, Professor of Crop Science, Reading University. Human nature has a significant role too. Societal demands reflected in policy, legislation and funding undoubtedly cut yield potential. So too does unclear/delayed food and farming policy, leaving farmers with no clear vision, and reluctant to invest time or capital in innovation.
Farm management • Charles Abel Boosting productivity So how can yields be raised? Addressing technical constraints seems logical. Varieties adapted for climate-change, and local conditions, will help. So too will Precision Farming and Big Data to optimise site specific husbandry, noted Shamal Mohammed, Chief Technical Officer, Agri-EPI Centre. Integrated Farm Management can help too, using available resources to better effect, while meeting societal and policy goals, said Dr Caroline Drummond, Director of LEAF. However, implementation can be challenging, with the best results coming from a whole-system change, rather than piecemeal uptake, noted Philip Jarvis, Allerton Farm Manager and Chair of the NFU Environment Forum. The capacity, and desire, of farmers to engage in change is limiting. Indeed, management intensity was a recurring theme: ‘pathfinders’ push ahead with innovation, attention to detail, performance monitoring and benchmarking, and ‘followers’ benefit from their learnings, but a long tail of ‘traditionalist’ farmers seem hide-bound by habit, repeating productivity-limiting behaviours. Better training, aligned to farmer mindsets and motivations, could help, suggested Dr Emily Pope, AHDB Knowledge Transfer Manager (Arable). However, current business structures, underpinned by support payments, are a brake. An ageing farmer demographic hampers next generation/new blood thinking. Maybe falling farm profits will move more land into the hands of fewer, more skilled, farmers, with better access to capital? Biotech solution Such factors could bring incremental improvement, but a yield lift of 10-20% is needed to keep pace with competitors and meet global food security demands. Biotech could do that. Stepwise genetic improvements, such as pest or pathogen immunity, enhanced metabolism, or climate adaptation, would lift yields across the board. The problem is legislation, and consumer acceptance, must change first. Once again, the biggest brake on productivity is human nature. Priority for the 2020s – breaking through productivity barriers
AGRONOMIC ISSUES 1. Sub-optimal nitrogen (legal constraint) 2. Declining soil health 3. Declining armoury of existing plant protection products (PPP) 4. Climate change, esp climate volatility 5. Drop in number of new PPP offerings (regulation + cost) 6. Evolving weed, disease and pest threats, esp blackgrass
7. Risk aversion (not investing / not pushing crops) 8. Reduced tillage systems inherently lower yielding 9. Deteriorating drainage 10. Failure to address variability at field and sub-field level 11. Cropping systems over-simplified for convenience 12. Failure to embrace IFM to best effect 13. Lack of monitoring + benchmarking
GOVERNMENT / POLICY ISSUES 1. Conflict between maximum yield and other policy/societal/farmer goals 2. Mixed and confusing messages from policy makers 3. Policy drivers do not prioritise yield 4. Policy delays cause investment delays 5. R&D not sufficiently aligned to farmer needs
6. Inadequate communication of innovations 7. Poor uptake of innovations 8. Commercially biased advice 9. Lack of biotech solutions available elsewhere 10. Lack of UK-focused biotech research
MARKET AND SOCIAL ISSUES 1. Adverse societal/political attitude to innovation 2. Inefficient supply chain 3. Generational inertia (need ‘fresh blood’ thinking) 4. Tension between yield and environment/wildlife/landscape/ society 5. Competition for HM Government funding post-Brexit 6. Declining share of voice in political/ societal debate
7. Failure of UK/EU society to engage with Climate Change sufficiently 8. Anti-science mood of public and policymakers 9. Global food distribution /stocks dampen demand pressure 10. Dietary changes may encourage alternate (non-wheat) crop options 11. Evident lack of EU public/policy interest in global food security 12. Crop production not only path to profit for landowners (development/tax)
SOLVING THE PRODUCTIVITY PLATEAU 1. Shift policy towards yield 2. More certain policy to encourage investment 3. Better align R&D and innovation to productivity 4. Prioritise support funding towards max yield 5. Move least productive land to alternative uses 6. Align plant breeding & testing to Climate Change modelling 7. Embrace biotech breeding (for stepwise advance) 8. Evaluate biotech options at lab level 9. Make Recommended List more commercially relevant (like Denmark) 10. Create more localised variety information 11. Improve soil management (eg CTF/low pressure tyres)
12. Improve communication of innovation 13. Use social media more effectively 14. Reappraise delivery of advice 15. More intensive management / attention to detail 16. Accelerate practical use of Big Data 17. Encourage uptake of Precision Farming to address localised variation 18. Embrace automation/machine learning 19. On-farm trials to guide local decisions 20. Target lowest performers (big improvement from simple actions) 21. Expand rotations with alternate/new break crops
www.thefarmersclub.com • 11
Charles Abel • Farm Politics
Farmers Club Under 30s Vice-chair Eleanor Kay queries role of devolved administrations
Farming’s future At the dawn of a pivotal year for farming the sector’s future was the focus of discussions at the Oxford Farming Conference. Production standards dominated. Charles Abel reports
“This year will be the greatest reset for our food and farming system since the 1940s” Minette Batters, NFU President
PRODUCTION standards were at the heart of a heated debate at the Oxford Farming Conference, as a new decade dawned that could see agriculture change more than it has done since 1947. Cheerfully branded “Growing a healthy society” the event attracted keen debate as Defra prepared to issue a policy update and re-launch an rejuvenated Agriculture Bill in January, with an aim of having Whitehall’s largest single programme of legislation on the statute book by March/April. Policy change would be “radical”, said Theresa Villiers, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Conservative MP for suburban Chipping Barnet in London stuck doggedly to her predecessor Michael Gove’s mantra of ‘productivity with environmental protection’. Food would be important too, with food security and fairer returns across the supply chain getting more attention. The new Ag Bill will outline Government plans to phase out direct payments and switch to “public money for public goods” after the UK leaves the European Union, including payments for protecting the environment. Pilots of the cornerstone Environmental Land Management scheme are due in 2021 ahead of national roll-out in 2024.
12 • The Farmers Club New Year 2020
Standards, standards, standards But upholding production standards in trade negotiations attracted greater interest. Mrs Villiers sought to reassure: “Standards are the backbone of our biggest manufacturing industry and £22bn of food and drink exports. Backing better standards is a core part of this government’s approach to Brexit.” Fine words. But with Brexit on January 31, an EU trade deal due by the end of the year and other trade deals being negotiated, most notably with the US, how will standards be upheld? Would she heed the call from NFU President Minette Batters, on behalf of farmers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, for a legally binding Food Standards Commission to scrutinise potential deals and ensure standards are maintained? Mrs Villiers had more warm words. “As our manifesto says, and as the Prime Minister has said, we will not impact our domestic and international reputation, built on quality and grounded in our shared national values, we will not dilute our high environmental protection or high standards of food safety and animal welfare, we will be prepared to walk away from those negotiations if it is in our national interest.” Not satisfied the audience pushed. The Secretary’s “long wish list” lacked clear plans.
Farm Politics • Charles Abel “We’ll walk away if we’re under pressure to undermine standards,” she repeated. Was the audience convinced the “government had its back”? A show of hands was called for. The audience sat on their hands!
and Canada were waiting to see how any deal with the EU was struck first. With farm policy devolved, but trade policy UK-wide, consensus across devolved nations was key, but would “not be easy”, Mrs Villiers accepted.
Clearly stung, Mrs Villiers retorted: “We will have an armoury of tariffs to impose if standards are not sufficient.” The audience was not happy. Asked bluntly if she would advocate a Food Standards Commission/Council, she pointed instead to “working groups”. Deep sighs.
The first domestic agricultural policy in over 70 years also needed to address how water is managed, Mrs Batters added, to underpin productivity and avoid floods.
Robust NFU stance Noting that 2020 would be a pivotal year for farming, NFU President Minette Batters delivered a stirring talk, urging Government to champion British farming’s place as global pathfinders in sustainable, climate-friendly, high-quality food production. In a powerful presentation she insisted the NFU would never accept British farmers being put out of business by a trade deal allowing imports of food that would be illegal for UK farmers to produce. “This year will be the greatest reset for our food and farming system since the 1940s and the decisions made by this Government will be felt for decades to come. We must once again recognise that there is nothing more important to our economy, our health and our environment than the very food we eat.
“Agriculture Bill to be introduced in January to harness opportunities of Brexit”
Radical change “Radical changes to agricultural policy will protect the environment for future generations while boosting productivity for farmers,” Mrs Villiers insisted. Outside the EU, farmers and land managers will have greater opportunities to boost productivity, with support for innovation to aid productivity and resilience. She saw the ELMS proposals as “one of the most important environmental reforms for 40 years” and expected the government’s 25-year plan to ensure this was the first generation to pass the natural environment to the next generation in a better state than it received it. “We have the potential to create a virtuous circle between agriculture, tackling climate change, protecting biodiversity, and securing investment in our rural economy,” she concluded.
Theresa Villiers, Defra Secretary
MORE ON-LINE: OFC papers, Villiers speech video + presentations at: www.ofc.org.uk/ conference/2020
“One year ago, I declared that British farming could achieve net zero emissions by 2040. The defining factor to reach that goal and help tackle climate change is a willing Government. We are already leading the way in producing climatefriendly food in this country and this Government has a chance to enshrine the UK as global leader in sustainability.” With the COP 26 global climate change conference in Glasgow this November the time was right for the UK government to take a worldleading role in championing sustainable, highquality food production, Mrs Batters argued. While welcoming the NFU’s 2040 net zero emissions target, Craig Bennett, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth, said more needed doing now, with the UK currently off track to achieve the 15% annual cuts needed. He advocated less-intensive livestock systems, relying on less imported soya. But “trade trumps everything” and deals allowing lower standard imports must not be permitted, he agreed. Fiona Smith, Professor of International Economic Law and N8 Chair of Agri Food Regulation at the University of Leeds, stressed that standards on environmental stewardship, animal welfare and healthy food were all permissible under WTO trade rules. Although 50 [mainly small] nations had struck trade deals with the UK already, others like Japan
Theresa Villiers, Defra Secretary
Minette Batters, NFU President
OFC 2020 SOUNDBITES • 74th OFC focused on “healthy” food, economy, environment and climate • “Extraordinary” 12 months since last OFC – “lack of clarity and looming cliff edges” • First meaningful Food Strategy for 75 years due • Better water infrastructure needed • No age group eating enough fruit, veg or wholefoods • UK only 7% self-sufficient in fruit – horticultural revolution needed • Nutrient density key to better diets • UK cattle have 2.5 times lower carbon footprint than world average • If all dairy cows as sustainable as UK’s, only 70million needed globally, not 287 million • WTO amber box should be ok for UK’s “public money for public goods”, if not in green box • Thoughts for fire-hit Australian farmers, as UK endured sodden fields
www.thefarmersclub.com • 13
Charles Abel • Member Profile graduate. Since her first employed role, and qualifying as a Chartered Surveyor and Agricultural Valuer in the first instance, she has sought to continually improve her qualifications. Eleni is now one of the most highly qualified individuals in her sector and in 2019 started her own consultancy business, specialising in planning, valuation and rural consultancy. “I love the variety of work I undertake – the planning sector is fast paced and constantly changing,” she says. “It allows me to apply my knowledge to a variety of projects from a farm worker’s dwelling or a barn conversion to a stable block or an urban residential project. I meet a wide range of people and particularly enjoy working with clients on an ongoing basis over several years.”
Eleni Randle, with (l-r) JJ Chalmers, Scottish television presenter, public speaker and Invictus games medallist; Matthew Howell, RICS UK & Ireland MD; and Natasha Tyler, RICS Matrics UK Chair 2019-20.
Young Surveyor of the Year
Farmers Club member Eleni Randle received a top accolade at the RICS Awards. Charles Abel reports
Working Cocker Spaniel Moose is a key team member. “Clients quite literally ask for him if he doesn’t come to meetings, which is why he is very much on my website and in my ‘official’ work pictures.”
“I love the variety of work I undertake – the planning sector is fast paced and constantly changing.” Eleni Randle FRICS FAAV MRTPI RICS Registered Valuer www.eldnarconsultancy.co.uk
FARMERS Club member Eleni Randle has won the Young Surveyor of the Year Award 2019 in the Land category of the annual awards run by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The awards seek to recognise outstanding and inspiring talent, from those set to be future leaders in the profession. The judges citation (right) highlights Eleni’s wide range of qualifications, business acumen and keen desire to support others seeking to enter the profession. In the land category the judges were looking for an inspiring individual who has had a positive impact on conservation, the environment, planning and the management of land and property assets in the countryside. Worcestershire roots Eleni grew up in Worcestershire and undertook an MSc in Rural Estate Management at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester as a post-
14 • The Farmers Club New Year 2020
Winning the category came as a complete shock. “Walking up on stage in front of over 400 people, with my name and picture on the big screens, is not something I will forget for a very long time! I’m pleased my hard work and dedication has been recognised by a leading professional body and look forward to progressing my career and business even further.” Club benefits Eleni has been a member of The Farmers Club for a number of years. “It has been invaluable as a base in London for attending courses and events. It always feels calm, is a place I know my way around and always has good food and a gin after a long day!”
What the judges said: “The youngest and first female equity partner within her previous firm in its 120year history, at the age of 28 years old. After serving as a partner for three years she went on to establish her own company at the age of 31. In January 2019 Eleni became one of the youngest Fellows of the RICS. She is also a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers, a registered Valuer and a Chartered Town Planner. This dedication to obtaining an extensive knowledge of sectors demonstrates motivation, but it has also been of great benefit and enables her to champion the professional working on varying projects. Eleni has been a mentor for several years and has seen those she has accepted for work experience continue to university and progress on to passing the APC; providing on-going advice at each stage. An extremely strong champion within the profession, pushing boundaries to achieve objectives.”
Obituary • Andrei Spence BORN in the West End of London during an air raid and raised in London, with no farming or countryside links as a youngster, John Nicholson had an unusual start to a life that would become deeply involved in farming. In his first Journal article John remarked that his only connection with farming as a child were the pig swill bins on the corners of London streets and posters on bomb sites declaring “lend a hand on the land”! However, there was a very clear determination to one day become a farmer. This actually started on a smallholding on the edge of a council estate in Bracknell, Berkshire. But the arrangement became untenable and he concluded that to make a serious foray into agriculture he would need to forge a more lucrative career first and return to farming later. John set about this with determination, through various business interests including property, Lloyds of London (livestock insurance), dealing in shotguns (legitimately), Territorial Army soldiering, auctioneering and being a publican. Buckinghamshire farming In 1969, aged 29, he bought 2500 acres in Buckinghamshire and his earlier dreams and aspirations became reality, although somewhat surprising to his pregnant wife Amanda. Some of his initial farm purchase was sold to enable other ventures – John was always a man on the move. He joined The Farmers Club in 1973 and acted as Honorary Treasurer from 1988-1991, before becoming Chairman in 1993. He maintained his fierce examination of the machinations of government and bureaucrats and often lamented the lack of scholarly debate on farming issues, rather than accepting political expediency when the systems and economics of policy were failing. His acerbic and quick wit were never far from his views, expressed vocally or in writing. An undoubted highlight of John’s year was the visit by our patron, Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, a few months after the Club had celebrated its 150th anniversary. That 150th celebration was immortalised by the commissioning of the “collection of caricatures” by cartoonist, David Langdon, which still adorns the walls of the Club’s main corridor. It was typical of John’s sense of fun and his own interest in cartoons, of which he maintained a collection of his own. By co-incidence, John had been part of a choir that performed Vivat Regina at the Queen’s coronation in 1953 whilst attending Westminster School. Diverse interests John’s many other interests were as diverse as they were intriguing. He was Senior Steward to the National Greyhound Racing Club and Director of the British Greyhound Racing Board through some
John Nicholson Club Chairman in 1993
particularly tumultuous times for the sport and wider industry. He also converted an old spinney into a woodland garden resplendent with old phone boxes, AA emergency call boxes, the top of a church spire and even a circus carousel! He became an avid historian of his family history, finding it to be rather more global than he imagined, and in his later life could be seen on his mobility scooter on his way to the village inn for a noon ‘restorative’ of London Pride. A popular Chairman and family man, he will be remembered by many and our thoughts go to Amanda and his children, Sally, Jo and Verity and grandchildren Poppy and Arthur.
“He lamented the lack of scholarly debate on farming issues, when the systems and economics of policy were failing.”
Andrei Spence Club Chief Executive
www.thefarmersclub.com • 15
Martin Shaw • Golf Society
Golf Society update The Farmers Club Golf Society enjoyed a fine second half of 2019 and looks forward to welcoming more members in 2020. Golf Secretary Martin Shaw reports
Annual Meeting The Autumn Meeting was this year held at Coxmoor and Lindrick Golf Clubs. Members and guests enjoyed two days of golf on well-presented and challenging courses and in weather conditions much improved on 2018. The team competition at Coxmoor was won by Edward Golland, David Dowty and Graham Ball. Edward Golland won the men’s competition and Fay Dilliway-Parry the ladies. After golf we had an enjoyable evening and meal at Coxmoor Golf Club before travelling to play at Lindrick the following morning, where Richard Reynolds won the men’s competition, Sally Dare the ladies with David Screeton, Sally Dare and Martin Shaw the team competition. The best combined scores for both men and ladies over the two days were achieved by Graham Ball and Kay Pole. In late September, Club member Duncan Brookes hosted a small visiting party to the Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake. Everyone who attended really enjoyed visiting this historic course, although atrocious weather conditions made good scoring difficult.
STRATFORD upon Avon Golf Club again hosted our meeting with members of the Worshipful Company of Farmers for the John Alliston Tankard. John was a much respected member of both golf societies. The overall winner with 39 points was Robin Blakeway ahead of Malcolm McAllister with 37 points, on count back from Michael Turnbull. The team competition was won by Denis Chamberlain, Bob Pickles, Mike Broomby and Robin Blakeway with 88 points, one ahead of Vic Truman, John Gittins, Eileen Hogan and Martin Taylor. Kay Pole with 30 points won the Ladies Prize. My thanks to Penny and Martin Taylor for organising an excellent day’s golf.
FARMERS CLUB GOLF FIXTURES 2020 April
Friday 24th
v EPICS @ New Zealand Golf Club
May
Wednesday 6th Wednesday 13th Tuesday 19th Wednesday 20th
v v v v
June Sun 7th/Mon 8th v Tuesday 23rd v July
NFU @ Newbury & Crookham Golf Club BVAGS @ Llanymynech Golf Club New Club @ Kilspindie Golf Club HCEG @ Muirfield XL Club @ Rye Golf Club (Meal with XL Club on Sunday to be arranged) WRNFU @ Thrybergh Golf Club, Rotherham
Borders victory Our final match of the season, against our friends from the Borders, was again played at Alwoodley and Seaton Carew in late October. I am pleased to report a much overdue first ever victory for the Club. I hope members have enjoyed the season and my thanks go to all who have supported the Society and retiring Captain David Reading over his two years in office. Neil Stoddard has been appointed Captain for the next two years and looks forward to welcoming all again next season, especially encouraging new and younger members to enjoy sociable yet competitive golf on many of the outstanding courses countrywide, as detailed below.
Thursday 9th Club Championship @ Blackwell Golf Club
August Thursday 27th John Alliston Tankard @ Stratford upon Avon Golf Club September Sunday 13th Autumn Meeting @ Pannal Golf Club Monday 14th Autumn Meeting @ Harrogate Golf Club October
David Reading, Len Brookes, Mark Jones and Charles Wylie represented the Club in the annual Bath Club Cup for London Clubs held at Woking Golf Club in Surrey. Our team score of 99 points didn’t feature on the leader board, but Mark Jones and Charles Wylie did have the best combined pairs score for the afternoon round.
Tuesday 13th Bath Club Cup @ Woking Golf Club Thursday 29th v Gareth Baird select @ Alwoodley Golf Club Friday 30th v Gareth Baird select @ Seaton Carew Golf Club
16 • The Farmers Club New Year 2020
GOLF SOCIETY Any Farmers Club members wishing to play and not currently on the Golf Society mailing list, please contact golf secretary Martin Shaw by email at martin.edwardswale@gmail.com
Political Figures • Charles Abel
Pedal power raises
£5000
RURAL diversification experts Rural Solutions “cycled” the 874-mile length of Britain in November to raise money for the Country Trust. The team of four simulated the journey from John O’Groats to Lands’ End on stationary Watt bikes at their offices in Skipton. The trip, which was electronically mapped, was completed in half the time predicted, with the cyclists spurred on by a visit from local triathlete and Pride of Britain nominee, Sam Boatwright, as well as support from Country Trust volunteers who were ‘visited’ enroute via video links. Rural Solutions, whose Director Rob Hindle is a Club member, chose Country Trust to support its important educational role in
communicating farming, food and the countryside to disadvantaged children via farm-based ‘Discovery Days’ and residential weeks. Sue Thompson of the Country Trust commented: “This is a significant donation for us; for example, £500 will provide a class of around 25 to 30 children with a free Farm Discovery Day, giving them an opportunity to experience the beauty of the countryside and understand where their food comes from. For just £70 we can offer a child from an inner city the chance to stay in the countryside on one of our residential visits.” • Send details of your charity event to editor@ thefarmersclub.com
Farming Figures A look at… how farming and rural issues featured in Conserative Party manifesto pledges… told through some key statistics
£3.2bn/year
Promised annual spending on UK agriculture for the next five years
10,000 migrants
Raised annual quota for Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme
2025
Year when every home and business will have gigabit broadband (£5bn earmarked)
80%
Share of trade to be covered by trade agreements within three years, starting with USA, Australia, NZ and Japan
£640m Funding of Nature for Climate fund to reach net zero emissions target by 2050
£4bn
Investment in flood defences
Farm Briefs Fertiliser and Machinery running costs (including depreciation) were the most significant cost increases between September 2018 and September 2019, rising 7.2% and 7.8% respectively, according to AF’s AgInflation Index report. Average inflation slowed considerably, down from the three previous year’s annual inflation rises of over 4.5%, to a negligible 0.57% over the preceding 12 months. Three new postgraduate courses to help businesses better exploit data will start at Harper Adams University in 2020. Masters degrees in Data Science for the Global Agriculture and Food Industry, Agricultural Economics, and Business Economics will welcome students from September. “There is a huge skills gap in the UK workforce when it comes to data science and artificial intelligence,” explains course leader Dr Ed Harris. Untapped genetic potential means wheat yields are only 60% of what they could be. European wheat harvests could be increased by more than 5t/ha according to newly published research by agricultural institute Rothamsted Research. Using existing data on the contribution of different genes to individual plant traits such as size, shape, metabolism and growth, the researchers ran simulations to create ‘perfect’ wheat plants tailored to each region.
30,350ha Additional tree planting each year by end of current Parliament (30m trees, £640m via Office for Environmental Protection)
100% CCTV coverage of abattoirs + early steps to control export of farm animals for slaughter
1.5 million homes Net target for extra homes 2015-2022
£800m
Spending to build first fully deployed carbon capture storage cluster by mid-2020s Sources: Farmers Guardian, Farmers Weekly, www.politico.eu, www.countryside-alliance.org, www.nature4climate.org
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Paul Hogben • Head Chef & Director of Food WE have been using Weald Smokery produce for a few years now and thought it about time l ventured down to Flimwell in East Sussex to see Farmers Club Member Andrew Wickham and his smoking operation. The Weald smokery has been a family run business for over 35 years since the day Andrew recognised the huge potential for a truly authentic smokery and purchased the business in 1990. He and his wife Corinne have created the multi-award-winning business it is today. From a husband and wife team that started with two kilns in a shed the business has grown into a thriving enterprise with a shop, café, production areas and nine kilns, employing around 25 people, all living locally. It is very clear to see that the team have remained true to the first day they opened, producing delicious smoked products with passion, pride and care. Ian the Production Manager was busy overseeing the packaging of recently smoked products for wholesale and retail businesses and the Christmas Hamper trade. He has two separated purpose-built areas for preparation of fish and meat and a packaging area.
“It takes patience and practice to know how to work the kilns, to get the best from the seasoned hand chopped Kent and Sussex oak” “The smell was quite beautiful and – added to the spits of fat that kept igniting – I felt hungry…”
Outside the preparation areas were the kilns where Head Smoker Tom took me through the process of the hot and cold smoking that was taking place at the time of my visit. The hot smoked chicken and cold smoked salmon were on the go. The smell was quite beautiful and added to the spits of fat that kept igniting, I felt hungry. Tom controlled the speed of the cooking manually through his experience and knowledge of the products he was dealing with. It takes patience and practice to know how to work the kilns, to get the best from the seasoned hand chopped Kent and Sussex oak kindling and logs, to cut the exact size for the grate and maintain even temperatures, creating a more authentic, balanced taste. The seasons also have a big influence on the smoking so it’s not as easy as hanging a few hundred local chicken Supremes onto the racks and just closing the doors for a couple of hours. Also smoked on site are duck breasts, venison, bacon, sausages, cheese, trout, prawns, haddock, kippers, eel and mussels all of which go through the same careful process, ending up in their lovely deli shop or out to retail outlets. Well worth a visit! Enjoy! Chef
18 • The Farmers Club New Year 2020
Pride, Passion & Experience
Under 30s • Scott Hayles, Chairman; Eleanor Kay, Vice Chairman; Anita Kaur, Secretary
LADY BYFORD
inspires AT the end of November the Under 30s enjoyed a superb black-tie dining evening at the Club, with an indulgent seasonal menu topped off with cheese boards and Club port! Conversation flowed throughout as the well-attended event brought together almost 50 members, with many new faces. As Under 30s members we feel very privileged to have the opportunity to interact with stalwarts of the industry. On this occasion we were delighted to be joined by Baroness Byford DBE DL as our speaker for the evening, a well-known member to many at the Club. Lady Byford gave us a general overview of her early links to farming alongside her family’s political background. She touched on her very admirable time with the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service and some of the fantastic roles she has held, including President of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, Chairwoman of the Conservative Women’s National Committee and Master of the Worshipful Company of Farmers. Many attendees were fascinated by her explanation of the inner workings of the House of Lords, including her time as Opposition Whip, and Opposition Parliamentary Spokesman for Food, Farming and Rural Affairs. The latter gave insight into key issues at that time,
including foot-and-mouth and the Animal Health Bill. There was also discussion about the environment and climate change, and the opportunities for British farming to adapt to meet changes in demand and reduce environmental impacts. One thing that resonated with many in the room was the importance of a work/life balance and the support Lady Byford received from her husband during the busiest periods of her career. We were all utterly enthralled by her passion for the industry and all the advice she offered. We were left with some very inspiring words: “look to the future, remember the past and learn from it” and an important final message: “don’t be afraid, opportunities are there, so have a go!” Thank you Lady Byford for such a fantastic evening. Olivia Hayles Wife of Under 30s Chairman
FEB EVENT Details of the New Members Weekend on Feb 7 & 8 will be emailed out shortly and details will also be on the Under 30s Facebook page. Early booking is advised as it is usually our largest event of the year.
Chairman’s Jottings Firstly, Happy New Year to all Farmers Club members!
As I write the final jottings of my chairmanship I am looking at yet more rain! But I am not going to be negative, instead I am remembering what a fantastic year 2019 has been: two fascinating farm walks, five inspiring dining evenings and the first very successful Inter-club event of its kind hosted at the Club (see p20+21). The role of the Under 30s Committee Chair allows great involvement in the Club, through Sub-Committees and the Main Club General Committee. Meeting and working with captains of our industry has been a great experience – I would urge anyone with a passion for the industry and the people who serve it to get involved. Thank you to all those who helped collate a list of previous Junior Section and Under 30s Chairmen. Our validated list goes back to 1964 and we plan to erect a board at the Club to recognise their efforts. Our Committee runs February to February, with the New Members Weekend black-tie evening with speaker on Feb 7 and our AGM the day after. At this point Eleanor Kay (current Vice Chair) will take the reins as Chair. Amongst other roles, Eleanor has kept us on track financially and always within budget. I know she will organise a fantastic year and look forward to supporting her and the new Committee members. Good Luck Eleanor! Finally, I would to thank the Under 30s Committee, the Farmers Club staff for their support of our events, and the Main Club General Committee for their ongoing support. With thanks and kindest regards.
Contact Scott for more information: Scott Hayles Under 30s Chairman 2019/20 07887 834159 scott.hayles@corteva.com
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Scott Hayles, Chairman; Eleanor Kay, Vice Chairman; Anita Kaur, Secretary • Under 30s
Inter-Club event
a huge success A special event late last year showcased Britain’s fabulous farm produce, our wonderful Club and its enthusiastic Under 30s members. Under 30s Chairman Scott Hayles and Committee Member Georgina Knock report
“Each table displayed flyers for the guests to take away, showcasing our producers and a couple of Chef’s recipes.”
20 • The Farmers Club New Year 2020
THE Farmers Club’s Under 30s hosted a first-of-its-kind event in November to celebrate our fantastic members and just some of the fabulous British produce they create. It proved to be a phenomenal success. The innovative event was proposed by Under 30s Chairman Scott Hayles and Under 30s Committee Member Hannah Moore who is the Farmers Club representative on the Inter-Club Committee.
insightful and animated speeches about their produce and their fascinating businesses. Most of the guests were not from an agricultural background, so there were plenty of questions and comments, which created a really interactive and brilliant atmosphere.
The Inter-Club Group was founded in 2005 to ensure the younger members of London’s ‘Clubland’ get the most out of being the latest generation to join this rich and diverse tradition (see panel).
Alec Williamson kicked the event off with his English lagers on arrival, which were also placed on each table for people to try throughout the evening. During Alec’s talk he spoke about the initial ideas behind Calvors business. “I believed there was a market for German quality lagers made in the UK, rather than imported lagers or massproduced poor quality lagers, that were not even genuine lager.”
Celebrating British produce Between each of the three courses three of our members delivered
Calvors Brewery The Suffolk based enterprise was the third lager-only microbrewery in the UK
Under 30s • Scott Hayles, Chairman; Eleanor Kay, Vice Chairman; Anita Kaur, Secretary Kenton Hall Estate Before the main course of British pork, we enjoyed hearing from Emily McVeigh about how she and her sister Lucy have grown their family business in Suffolk impressively over the past number of years.
“Between each of the three courses three of our members delivered insightful and animated speeches about their produce and fascinating businesses.”
specialising in hand crafted English lagers. The award-winning and very moreish, craft lagers are brewed using only water, whole hops, local malt and yeast. The business has grown substantially in the past decade including the addition of ales and purchasing of two pubs. Calvors now distributes to pubs, shops and The East of England Co-op, mainly across East Anglia. The most recent addition to the business has been a British built canning line moving away from bottles. Alec says: “We are always keen to try new methods to make the business as sustainable and least impactful on the environment as possible. It’s important to be agile and adaptive in this sector.”
The sisters kindly supplied their pork for the canapes and the group also heard about their herd of English Longhorn Cattle: “The ancient and traditional English native breed receives the highest welfare standards and Longhorn meat is known for its marbled quality without excess external fat cover. This ultimately ensures tenderness, succulence and fantastic flavour!” This premium product is served in some of the most highly regarded restaurants in London.
Seasonal menu Naturally, the evening had a seasonal and flavoursome menu which the group thoroughly enjoyed. Each table displayed flyers which were designed by Under 30s member Georgina Knock, for the guests to take away with them. These flyers showcased our producers and included a couple of our Chef’s recipes. The Club’s new cookbook was also mentioned, to reiterate the importance of ‘farm to fork’ provenance, which was well received by the InterClub group. Overall, the event couldn’t have been a bigger success. In his closing speech the Inter-Club Chairman thanked The Farmers Club’s Under 30s Committee for organising the event and hosting such a wonderful and interesting evening.
Emily finished by advising “before diversifying an aspect of a business, it is important to look at what makes your business unique and research what is in your area.” This relates to the range of inspiring enterprises on the estate, which includes a wedding venue, glamping site and cookery hub. Snugburys ice-cream For the final course, guests enjoyed Snugburys ice-cream and an engaging talk by Cleo, the youngest of the Snugburys sister-trio behind the enterprise. Cleo described how Snugburys was first established by their parents in 1986 on their farm in Nantwich in Cheshire: “After a great amount of time and energy we are proud that our award-winning artisan ice cream now supplies a number of the UK’s most prestigious tourist destinations, award winning farm shops and top restaurants.” Cleo is the culinary genius behind the brands flavours after studying patisserie at Le Cordon Bleu London. The group were intrigued to hear about the ingredients and Cleo finished by saying: “Quality is something we pride ourselves on and essentially our mission is to simply make people feel good!” The Snugburys farm shop attracts over 300,000 people each year and the family have recently opened their new café, on the River Dee in Chester, so do pay them visit!
Food showcase If you would like to hear more about the event or possibly showcase your produce at similar Under 30s events, please contact Under 30s Administrator Anita Kaur: administrator@thefarmersclub.com
Producer details Calvors.co.uk Kentonhallestate.co.uk Snugburys.co.uk
Inter-Club The Younger Members’ Inter-Club group includes the Army & Navy, Caledonian, Carlton, City University, Farmers, Hurlingham, In & Out, Lansdowne, National Liberal, Oriental, Oxford and Cambridge, Queen’s, Reform, Royal Automobile, Royal OverSeas League, Savage, Savile, Travellers and University Women’s Clubs. www.inter-club.co.uk
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The Farmers Club • Club Information
Club Information 020 7930 3557 • www.thefarmersclub.com @thefarmersclub The Farmers Club Page
Office Holders
Patron – Her Majesty The Queen HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTS Sir Mark Hudson, Peter Jackson CBE, Roddy Loder-Symonds, John Parker, Norman Shaw CBE THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CLUB 2020 VICE PRESIDENTS Barclay Forrest OBE, Mrs Susan Kilpatrick OBE, Paul Heygate PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN Allan Stevenson TRUSTEES Jimmy McLean, Mrs Nicki Quayle, Julian Sayers (Chairman), Tim Bennett VICE-CHAIRMAN Keith Redpath HONORARY TREASURER Richard Maunder IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Nick Helme CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND SECRETARY Andrei Spence CLUB CHAPLAIN The Reverend Dr Sam Wells
VISIT TO EDINBURGH 15-17TH JUNE 2020 Join Club Chairman Allan Stevenson for a summer visit to Edinburgh and East Lothian, where our base will be The New Club in Edinburgh. Our provisional programme starts on Monday 15th June with registration at The New Club before a coach transfer to Edinburgh Castle for lunch in the Tea Rooms and a private guided tour. After a freshen up at the New Club it’s off to the Royal Yacht Britannia for a private guided tour. Drinks Reception and Dinner at The New Club. On Tuesday 16th June we visit Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture, a division of the Scottish Government Agriculture and Rural Delivery Directorate offering scientific services and advice to support Scotland’s agriculture, and Moredun Research Institute, famed for its research into infectious livestock diseases. The afternoon continues with a tour and tasting at Glenkinchie Distillery, before Dinner at Fishers in the City.
On Wednesday 17th June we head along the scenic Firth of Forth coastline to The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers at Muirfield for a private tour, before visiting Mr Stevenson’s Luffness Mains Farm, where lunch will be taken, and afterward on to East Lothian Produce. Members then have the option to make their own way home OR depart by coach to The New Club for a further night’s stay, including the Farmers Club pre-show Drinks Reception and Dinner at the Royal Highland Showground. TO REGISTER INTEREST – complete the enclosed booking form.
COMMITTEE Elected 2016: Nick Helme, Peter Jinman OBE Elected 2017 to serve from 2018 to 2020 inclusive: Ian Bell OBE, Matt Dempsey and Revd Cannon Gerald Osborne Elected 2018 to serve from 2019 to 2021 inclusive: Fiona Fell, Meurig Raymond CBE DL, John Hardman, Andrew Brown JP (re-elected) Elected 2019 to serve from 2020 to 2023 inclusive: Sue Bullock, Sarah Cowlrick, Kevin Beaty (re-elected), John Lee OBE DL (re-elected), Karen Mercer (re-elected), Christopher Riddle (re-elected) Co-opted: Scott Hayles (Chairman Under 30s), Eleanor Kay (Vice Chairman Under 30s) THE FARMERS CLUB CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES Stephen Fletcher (Chairman), Vic Croxson DL, Meryl Ward MBE, Des Lambert OBE, Nick Green, James Squier, The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Club (ex officio). Patron Mrs Stella Muddiman
NEXT ISSUE The Spring issue of the Farmers Club Journal, due with members in late March, will include a full report on the January Monday Evening Lecture with Christine Tacon CBE, the current Groceries Code Adjudicator and former head of the Co-operative Group’s farming business.
22 • The Farmers Club New Year 2020
ST GEORGE’S DAY LUNCH THURSDAY 23RD APRIL 2020 Our Speaker at this year’s St George’s Day Lunch will be Mr Bill Turnbull, TV and Radio Presenter & Author. The event will be held at 12.30pm for a 1.00pm start in the Farmers Club. The cost of the ticket is £85.00, which includes pre-lunch drinks, wine with your meal and a three-course lunch. Dress for gentlemen is lounge suit. All applications should be received by Monday 24 February 2020. If oversubscribed a ballot will be drawn following the closing date and members will be informed within 5 working days (if business allows) from the closing date for application forms as to whether they have been successful in the ballot or not. Cancellations after Thursday 16th April will incur a 100% cancellation charge. TO REGISTER INTEREST – Complete the booking form enclosed with this Journal.
Club Information • The Farmers Club Honorary Members The Chairman and Members of the Club congratulate the following member whose name appeared in the New Year Honours List: CBE Peter Barfoot Hampshire Deaths It is with regret that we announce the death of the following members: Mr B Glassock Sussex Mr E Harrison Norfolk Mr G Healy Wiltshire Mr J Hoskins Gloucestershire Mr T Howie Ayrshire Mr Colin Jacobs Denbighshire Mrs A Johnson Hertfordshire Mr J Nicholson Buckinghamshire Mr W Raymond Pembrokeshire Mr D Reeves Surrey Mrs J Stickland Kent Business Suite The Business Suite provides PCs, printing and WiFi for members. Meetings are prohibited. WiFi WiFi is available throughout the Club at no charge. Luggage room This is a short term storage facility only. In the event that luggage has been left for a period of over 3 months and we are unable to identify the owner, it will be disposed of.
Doing our bit for the environment The Club team continues to do its bit for the environment, whether it be by recycling, upcycling or energy saving initiatives, writes General Manager Virginia Masser. In a shared building we can be challenged on a daily basis regarding recycling but we continually investigate new ways to improve. And so, to list but a few we… • have recyclable water bottles in bedrooms • have paper straws in the Bar • recycle banqueting glass juice bottles for serving milk at breakfast • have confidential papers shredded and collected • have our kitchen cooking oil collected and recycled to make bio-fuels for London taxis • recycle mini jam jars as herb pots for tables and to serve chutneys • use energy saving lightbulbs throughout • recycle all printer related items such as cartridges • recycle all batteries • recycle all fluorescent tubes and LED lamps • recycle scrap metal • have lights on sensors in some Club areas • use paper cups or our own mugs or water bottles in team areas
RECIPROCAL CLUBS UK City Livery Club, London (No bedrooms) Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh The New Club, Edinburgh Northern Counties Club, Newcastle Bury St Edmund’s Farmers Club OTHER AGREEMENTS Whilst not formal reciprocal agreements, we have informal agreements with the East India, Caledonia and Civil Service Clubs, for bedroom bookings if we have no accommodation available. The Reservations Manager will advise in this instance. If we are full, Reception also holds a list of hotels within a 15 minute walk that might be considered ‘good value for money’. OVERSEAS Queensland Club, Brisbane, Australia The Australian Club, Melbourne, Australia The Geelong Club, Victoria Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, Ireland (Bedrooms not reciprocated) Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club, Dublin, Ireland The Muthaiga Country Club, Nairobi, Kenya The Harare Club, Harare, Zimbabwe The Christchurch Club, Christchurch, New Zealand The Canterbury Club, Christchurch, New Zealand Members wishing to use any of the above Clubs should obtain an introductory card from the General Office.
Dress code • Smart casual dress is permitted every morning, Monday to Sunday inclusive until 10am. (This includes smart denim jeans and trainers). Thereafter, gentlemen should wear formal jackets and ties in all public areas of the Club. Ladies should be dressed in accordance with this. • Smart casual dress is allowed from 6pm on Friday and throughout the weekend until 10am on Monday morning. • Children should conform to the above guidelines as best they can. • Members are responsible for ensuring their guests abide by the dress code. • Reception has an emergency stock of jackets and ties if required. • The only exception to the application of the dress code is during the month of August. 1st - 31st August inclusive, the dress code throughout the entirety of the Club is smart casual for all.
Club Contacts THE FARMERS CLUB
Serving the farming industry for 175 years 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL
Chairman 2020: Allan Stevenson
Chief Executive and Secretary: Andrei Spence
Club Number 020 7930 3557 Reception reception@thefarmersclub.com Bedroom Reservations reservations@thefarmersclub.com Restaurant Reservations Option 3 restaurant@thefarmersclub.com Conference & Banqueting Sales Manager Liza Keoshgerian direct line: 020 7925 7100 functions@thefarmersclub.com Administrator & Under 30s Secretary Anita Kaur direct line 020 7930 3751 administrator@thefarmersclub.com General Manager Virginia Masser direct line 020 7930 3751 generalmanager@thefarmersclub.com Head Chef & Director of Food Paul Hogben direct line: 020 7925 7103 chef@thefarmersclub.com Financial Controller Zarreena Neeson direct line: 020 7925 7101 financialcontroller@thefarmersclub.com Membership Mark Fairbairn direct line: 020 7925 7102 membership@thefarmersclub.com PA to Secretary Claire White direct line: 020 7930 3751 generaloffice@thefarmersclub.com Bedrooms ext: 3+ [two digit room number] eg. ext 301 for Room1 Whitehall Court Porters 020 7930 3160 Fax 020 7839 7864 Website: www.thefarmersclub.com @thefarmersclub The Farmers Club Page THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL Editor and Advertisement Manager: Charles Abel 07795 420692 E-mail: editor@thefarmersclub.com Designed and produced by: Ingenious, www.ingeniousdesign.co.uk No film or film processing chemicals were used. Printed on Lumi Silk which is ISO 14001 certified manufacturer. FSC® Mix Credit. Elemental chlorine free (ECF) fibre sourced from well managed forests
www.thefarmersclub.com • 23
2020
Club Calendar DIARY DATES 2020
Here are just some of the Club events planned for the coming months. More event details can be found at www.thefarmersclub.com/events, in Club e-newsletters, or from Club Administrator Anita Kaur (020 7930 3751 extn 216) e-mail: administrator@thefarmersclub.com FEBRUARY
Under 30s New Members Dinner, Winter Event & AGM
Tutankhamun Exhibition at Saatchi Gallery
La Boheme at the Royal Opera House Wednesday 27th May
Under 30s New Members Dinner, Winter Event & AGM Friday 7th – Sunday 9th February
Application form with this Journal
Details by email/facebook
Tutankhamun Exhibition at Saatchi Gallery – FULL Wed 26th and Thur 27th February
JUNE Beating Retreat
Lunch at the Club, private talk by Anne Howarth and Exhibition visit Application form in last Journal
Royal Horse Guards Parade Details to follow in Spring Journal
MARCH
FULL
Madam Butterfly – FULL Thursday 5th March
Chatsworth House & Gardens and Chatsworth Flower Show –
Chatsworth House
Supper at the Club before 7.30pm performance at the London Coliseum
APRIL
5.30-7.30pm Details tbc
Monday Evening Lecture
Private guided tour of the house followed by an overnight stay at a hotel nearby and the flower show the following day Application form in last Journal
Application form included with this Journal Edinburgh visit
Titian: Love, Desire, Death Exhibition at the National Gallery Wednesday 15th April 12.00noon Private Talk by Anne Haworth 1.00pm Lunch in The Farmers Suite 2.15pm Depart by coach to the National Gallery Members make their own way home Application form included with this Journal
Wednesday 10th & Thursday 11th June
Chairman’s Visit to Edinburgh Monday 15th – Wednesday 17th June
Monday Evening Lecture Monday 6th April Madam Butterfly
Beating Retreat Wednesday 10th June
Royal Highland Show Dinner Wednesday 17th June New Members Pavilion Application form included with this Journal
JULY Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival – FULL Thursday 9th July
St George’s Day Lunch Thursday 23rd April Speaker – Mr Bill Turnbull, TV & Radio Presenter & Author Application form included with this Journal St George’s Day Lunch
MAY Badminton Horse Trials Friday 8th & Saturday 9th May Overnight stay at Stratton House Hotel Details to follow via e-newsletter
Eve of Balmoral Show Dinner Tuesday 12th May Eve of Balmoral Show
SS Nomadic, Belfast Titanic Centre Speaker tba Application form with this Journal
Chelsea Flower Show – FULL Tuesday 19th May Application form in last Journal
Chelsea Flower Show
FOOD at The Farmers Club book Ideal as a gift or to try to recreate the Club’s simply cooked, seasonal, quality, British food at home. To order your copy download the order form from the website or buy one at Reception next time you are in the Club.
IDEAL
AS A GI
FT