Harvest home – the annual Harvest Festival and Supper at the Club afterwards attracted an excellent turn-out
this autumn
Minna Rossi PhotographyChairman John Lee reflects on a hot summer, big changes for the nation and a busy Club this autumn
Activity in the Club, and around the UK, goes from strength to strength, as members re-connect in ever greater numbers
St Martin in the Fields was the venue for the Club’s annual Harvest Festival with an excellent Supper in the Club afterwards
The Met Office has been busy modelling the impacts of climate change and how faming is likely to be impacted
Pressures on farmers, farmworkers and their families are intensifying, but help is available
A cornucopia of events organised by the Club
Charitable Trust’s 40th
All change with a new Chairman, new awards and new initiatives
cheese!
Mary Quicke shares a wealth of cheese-making experience
read
to consider for winter nights by the fireside
Corner
outings to brighten those winter days
New stats draw an interesting sketch of UK farming
Club Golf
aplenty as members enjoy fixtures list
is the watchword for fish too
35s
A member shares his farming experiences
Information and Contacts
Bookings
to book function rooms for the festive season
THERE are very few events when we will, in years to come, remember exactly where we were or what we were doing at a certain time of day. September 8th, 2022, and the unfolding news of Her Majesty The Queen’s declining health, and then the news we all dreaded, will be one such occasion.
Her Majesty was not just Head of State of the United Kingdom and Head of the Commonwealth, but also a figurehead of selfless devotion, dedication, and service, who performed duties with strength and humility.
Her Majesty graciously consented to become our Patron in 1955, and we should perhaps not be surprised this Patronage endured, given Her late Majesty’s great knowledge and long and abiding interest in agriculture and the countryside.
I was greatly honoured to be invited to attend the State Funeral on September 19th, an opportunity for the Nation and Commonwealth to show its sincere gratitude and grateful thanks for a lifetime of service.
As I left Westminster Abbey and turned on my phone, the first message I received was from a farmer friend in Victoria, Australia. John Bennett had spotted me on the television, demonstrating, perhaps not surprisingly, what a global event this had been.
I was delighted that a few weeks later, John, a former YFC exchange scholar, was able to join me in The Farmers Club for a dinner I was hosting to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs.
We were honoured that HRH The Princess Royal proposed the toast to the National Federation and met all the 70 past chairmen and guests present. Also present was the YFC chairman from the year 2000, Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP, newly appointed Minister of State at DEFRA, who is to give the Club lecture on October 31st.
It now seems hard to imagine the heat of the Royal Welsh Show back in July, when I was delighted to host Club members to hear, good friend, Andrew Slade, Director General, Economy, Skills, and Natural
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Resources for the Welsh Government address our reception.
The next morning back in London, Andrei and I took a group of Club members for a tour of the magnificent Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in Whitehall, followed by lunch at the Club. Our speaker was Rev. Canon Paul Wright, Sub-Dean of HM Chapel Royal, who in the afternoon with Jon Simpson, Serjeant of the Vestry gave us an unforgettable tour of HM Chapels Royal and The Queens Chapel within St James Palace.
I was delighted that The Rt Rev. and Rt Hon. the Lord Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally preached at the Club Harvest service and joined us later for dinner at the Club. Both the sermon and the Choir were outstanding and taken with the dinner, a marvellous way to celebrate and give thanks for harvest.
Talking of thanks, mine must go to Nicki Quayle, Chairman of Trustees, for hosting this year’s ladies’ lunch, at which fellow Devonian Mary Quicke spoke enthusiastically about her cheese business, including a tasting!
As we enter a busy autumn, including The Farmers Club Agricultural Cup lunch, where we will be honoured to be joined by HRH The Countess of Wessex, the end of my year in office is in sight. I hope our members have enjoyed the Club programme. It has been an honour and privilege representing the Club and I am so grateful for the confidence the Committee had in electing me and for the support they have given me.
The whole Club team, led by Andrei Spence and Virginia Masser, have been outstanding as they have taken various challenges in their stride and delivered everything that has been asked of them. I could not have received better support from them or been made to feel more welcome by our members – thank you.
I wish my successor Meurig and his wife Hilary the very best next year and hope that he receives good support for the many exciting events he has planned.
Farmers
“The debt we all owe Her Late Majesty is immeasurable. Our sincere condolences were conveyed when we wrote to the King and other members of the Royal Family and in our Club’s Book of Condolences.”
“Each member of our team has, and continues to provide excellent service, often going beyond the call of duty.”
The third quarter of the year usually sees the Club at its quietist as harvest gets going for many members and the associated sectors that support it. Despite what was, for many, an early harvest due to the dry conditions, the Club remained vibrant throughout, with families well represented and many business meetings within our rooms, writes Club Secretary & Chief Executive Andrei Spence
Occupancy remained pretty high, despite the significant disruption caused by strike actions called by the RMT, ASLEF and TSSA Unions. In true Farmers Club resilience, although it did have a financial impact, the overall performance at the Club was good and produced healthy numbers which will be needed at the end of the year.
The Chairman and I held the last of our seven 2022 Club to Country receptions at the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells in mid-July. These events provided us with
a wonderful opportunity to engage with around 300 members in total, as well as meeting so many more during our travels.
Back at the Club recruiting and retention of staff remains challenging. But we are making headway, with both the Kitchen and Food & Beverage departments now in better shape. That said, we also bade farewell to some who have been with us for some time: Anita, Ruth and Chase moved to pastures new – we wish them well for the future.
Key events included the Harvest Festival Service at St Martin-in-the-Fields, with a superb Bowl Food Supper back at the Club afterwards, attracting a very good turn-out.
Finally, one of our well-known members, broadcaster and journalist Bill Turnbull, sadly passed away on 31 August. Our thoughts are with all families who have lost loved ones over this period.
September 8th brought the very sad news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen had been our Patron since 1955 and had taken part in Club events here at No 3 Whitehall Court and at the Members Pavilion on the Royal Showground at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. Her Majesty’s presence always illuminated and enhanced every occasion, always finding the time to speak, and put at ease, all she met during the course of her visits. Her loss to the Club, Country, Dependencies and the Commonwealth of nations is profound. Chairman John Lee issued a statement on the Club website publicly offering the condolences of all at the Club. A personal letter to King Charles III was also despatched. God save the King.
The Summer months saw a very diverse range of Club events and visits, including Superbloom at the Tower of London, and a very special visit to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Chapels Royal at St James’ Palace in mid-July (see p12/13).
Earlier in the Summer, and very much aligning with Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee year, Craig took a party of 34 members to see Beating Retreat on Horseguards Parade on a balmy evening, preceded by an early supper at the Club, which was much enjoyed.
The following day I accompanied 44 members to the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, commencing with early ‘brunch’ at the Club before travelling to this superb event, set in the most magnificent gardens against the backdrop of Hampton Court Palace.
Members took afternoon tea in the Rose Pavilion (much needed with the mercury rising fast) before returning to the show, then on to the Club for a stunning dinner, with the beef dish in particular singled out for special praise. Another superb day with many friendships started and others renewed – what the Club is all about really.
We also had a number of smaller scale Club visits organised by Craig, including Growing Underground, which produces herbs and salads in disused London Underground tunnels. Many members will be aware of this enterprise from
The Under 35s held their Festival Dinner and Summer Weekend activity, which this year included a boat trip to the Superbloom event at The Tower of London and then on to play Croquet at the Skylight at Tobacco Dock. Over 40 attended the dinner and 15 went on to enjoy the remainder of the weekend.
The Under 35s Committee and I are also conducting some work concerning proposals for alternate ways to spend the money left by the Jill Willows legacy, for the educational benefit of a greater number of Under 35s. We are also
For information about Club Events see Club website, and watch out for Club e-newsletters
This recent period has seen the Club consolidate its financial position and continue to do well during a time when we are traditionally at our quietest. In September, the team and I juggled with producing a balanced Club Budget for 2023, prior to discussions with the Honorary Treasurer, the Finance & General Purposes Committee, and finally the General Committee in early November.
a previous visit and Journal report by Virginia and Paul. But the scale and scope of the business took our party quite by surprise and provided more than a glimpse into the future for this type of farming in a low carbon and sustainable way.
The team has been extremely busy preparing for the remainder of the year and there is still plenty to come in 2022. Watch out for announcements in the newsletters and other fliers!
exploring ways to replenish the legacy, to enable the purpose and the memory to be further enduring.
Towards the end of a busy and tumultuous third quarter the Under 35s decided to postpone their dinner to celebrate the game season, entitled ‘The Shoot’, moving it to the third week in October instead. To follow the dinner –interactive indoor clay pigeon shooting..!
At the end of September the Under 35s hosted an Interclub dinner here at the Club, showcasing Britain’s best produce to the younger members of other London-based private members clubs.
The Farmers Club Charitable Trust held its Annual General Meeting on 6th September here in the Club, where the annual accounts were digested and approved. It also marked the final meeting for retiring Chairman, Stephen Fletcher, who was presented with a gift of appreciation from his fellow Trustees after 17 years of service as a Trustee. New Chairman of Trustees, Nick Green, thanked Stephen for all his work and time in bringing the work of the Trust forward over the years and particularly his expertise in navigating the complex issues of the FCCT’s land assets.
Club Chairman, John Lee, hosted the annual Honorary Members lunch in the Club, the first to be held since September 2019. Twenty such members attended, representing many hundreds of years of membership. A very good and enjoyable lunch was had by all and friendships and acquaintances renewed.
The Farmers Club’s annual Harvest Festival Service was followed by a wonderful Bowl Food Supper at Whitehall Court. Charles Abel reports
ON a glorious blue-sky autumn afternoon members and guests gathered at Trafalgar Square’s splendid Saint Martin-in-the-Fields church to celebrate harvest home and hear a powerful address from the Bishop of London.
Land has always been pivotal to the relationship between society and the poor, said the Rt Revd Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE. But with that connection now largely fractured there is an urgent need to reconnect, to benefit the millions on the margins of society.
Masters from various City Livery Companies joined Club Chairman John Lee, members and guests, for a splendid service led by St Martin’s Reverend Richard Carter. He offered powerful prayers of thanks for the harvest, for all farming does, and for support through difficult times, including mental ill-health, climate change and turbulent markets.
Harvest home was celebrated with five baskets of produce carried to the altar by committee members, and readings from 2022 Chairman John Lee and 2023 Chairman Designate Meurig Raymond. The church’s magnificent surroundings reverberated to glorious singing from St Martin’s Voices choir, including Francis Jackson’s canticle Benedicite in G Major
In 1222 a church dispute over the right to income from fields between St Martin’s and what is now Covent Garden highlighted the importance of land. Land was important in Medieval times, just as it is now. And Bible times were no different.
Two and a half years spent in Devon as bishop of Crediton helped “this uptown girl” better understand farming, agricultural communities, and all they do for the nation, reflected Bishop Mullally. “There is so much to learn.”
At the mid-Devon show watching Red Ruby cattle judging she voiced a preference
Food ingredients from UK farms took centre stage in a wonderful Harvest Festival Supper at the Club, created by Head Chef & Director of Food Paul Hogben and his team.
The Farmers Suite pulsated to the sound of energised conversations as fellowships were renewed and the state of farming and rural life debated.
for “the deepest red bull”. A bystander observed she probably knew more than the judge that day!
Through the Old Testament the link between God, the land and people was clear. God’s people were rooted in the land, established in the land, and the land provided their sustenance. Giving thanks for the harvest was a priority, and uniting to help the poor a natural response.
In Bible times, and in Medieval times, the impact on the marginalised was clear for all to see. But as society moved away from the land, has it also become distanced from those who struggle to feed, clothe and heat themselves? In the UK 14 million people live in poverty, 4.5 million of them children.
Meeting the needs of the marginalised is a challenge for all society. Better understanding farming could help. Just 22% of UK people have ever visited a farm, 5% of children think strawberries originate in fridges.
In rural areas the hands of those attending communion are strikingly different to city congregations. The manual effort is evident. Reconnecting with the land could help society recognise its role in supporting the marginalised. God, the land and people.
But access to perishable food is not the whole story. Spiritual food, bread from heaven, revealed in Christ, is crucial too. “We need regard for both,” Revd Mullally concluded.
Reflecting on her elevation from Bishop of Crediton to Bishop of London, Bishop Mullally told {italics}Devon Life{italics}: “I have learned so much…….. particularly from the farming community, whose resilience and sense of calling to their own work has been inspirational.”
In September 2015 she was the first woman to lead a Church of England ordination service, she is a Privy Counsellor, Lord Spiritual in the House of Lords, and the first female Dean of the Chapel Royal. A former Chief Nursing Officer for England she was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to nursing and midwifery.
Eternal God, you crown the year with your goodness and you give us the fruits of the earth in their season: grant that we may use them to your glory, for the relief of those in need and for our own well-being; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Yes, the backdrop was the exceptionally hot, dry summer, the looming challenge of farming with diminishing support payments, shifting environmental objectives, soaring energy costs and ever increasing input prices.
But a more sociable discussion flowed around the tables too – companionship pushed daily issues aside in favour of more relaxing conversations, over good food and good wine. The Farmers Club was doing what it does best!
BACK in June, before the summer’s record-breaking heatwave and associated drought, I was delighted to address members of The Farmers Club here at the Met Office in Exeter, as part of the Devon Tour led by Club Chairman John Lee.
Understanding just how our climate forecasting can help the industry was top of the agenda. It was a fascinating few hours, for us all, and the good news is that there’s a lot that we know, and quite a lot that can be done.
The impact of climate and weather on farming was brought into sharp focus during July and August, when extended drought conditions prevailed, especially across southern England.
A Met Office study highlighted that the record breaking temperatures seen this summer would have been almost impossible before the pre-industrial era. And by 2100 temperatures of 40C or
more could become reasonably regular, with some studies showing it could be seen every three years under the worst-case scenario.
With farming on the front line of climate change, I think we were all reminded of what may lie ahead.
The higher the concentration of greenhouse gases, the higher the potential for climate change. Currently scientists and policy makers are striving to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5C, compared with pre-industrial levels.
Climate projections for the UK suggest a broad pattern of hotter and drier summers on average, warmer and wetter winters, and more extreme events such as drought and heavy rainfall. However, high-resolution climate projections reveal considerable variation across the UK.
There are uncertainties within this broad perspective too, as we can’t guarantee what measures will be taken to curb further rises in greenhouse gas emissions.
Aggressive action to reduce emissions will limit future warming. But, importantly, enough warming has already taken place to see changes in our climate. So, a summer like we have just experienced is now locked into our atmosphere and can return in future years.
The priority now is to avoid the situation becoming worse, while learning to adapt to the level of change that is already built into the climate system. It’s also important to note that in the coming few decades we still expect to experience some cold winters and wet summers, because of the natural variability of the British climate.
Year-to-year variability of weather means that each year farmers may struggle with extremes of temperature or extremes of rainfall. But throw a warming climate into the mix, then these struggles will compound problems – such as those we have seen this summer – to or beyond the limits of what current farming is able to contend with.
How is the changing climate likely to impact farming and what can be done about it?
Dr Pete Falloon, Climate Service Lead – Food, Farming and Natural Environment at the Met Office, explains
As an example of future climate impacts on farming, the Met Office examined UK climate projections to assess future risk of potato blight and heat stress for dairy cattle, for different regions.
The study shows that heat stress conditions for dairy cattle are met around two-to-three days per year in the South West, but in the period 2051-2070, this could extend to around one month per year, on average.
Over the same period, late potato blight – which affects crops in warm, humid weather – is likely to occur more often across the UK, with the greatest increases in western and northern regions.
What can be done?
Agriculture can play a key role in helping to curb greenhouse gas emissions. But farmers will also need to be ready to adapt to the changing climate and for what the future will bring.
Some of these adaptive measures require big decisions: for example, choosing the types of crops which can be grown in certain areas.
Alongside these large
accommodate. Livestock farmers may want to consider planting shade trees to lower heat stress on stock. Keeping hardstanding areas free-draining could prevent heavy downpours from leading to flooding. Or, to deal with dry summer conditions, they could increase on-farm water storage.
Beyond this, for food production to be resilient to the changing climate, a wider body of research needs to be fed into policy and practice. For example, understanding the most effective management practices, or breeding heat and drought resilient crops.
The broader food chain is a complex series of activities, all the way from farm to fork, and each activity could be impacted in some way by climate change. The UK food chain includes many different actors across farming, supply chains, industry and government. So there is a need to take a strategic system level approach, which includes all aspects of the chain, in responding to climate change to maintain food security and support a climateresilient future.
The UK Climate Change Risk Assessment used the latest climate predictions from the Met Office to look
at the risks and opportunities for the UK. The mind findings related to food and agriculture can be found on-line at: https://www.ukclimaterisk.org/ independent-assessment-ccra3/briefings/
If you’d like to understand what climate change might mean for your local area, why not try the BBC’s interactive checker, which was developed in partnership with the Met Office – just search on-line for “What will climate change look like near me?”
The briefing summarises how agriculture and food have been assessed in the 2021 UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3), and what types of action to adapt to climate change risks and opportunities would be beneficial in the next five years. It considers two climate change scenarios, corresponding to approximately a 2°C or a 4°C rise in global temperature by 2100.
CAN you honestly say you have never had a troubled day, or sleepless night, worrying how you will cope? Such days hit us all. But for some – the feeling doesn’t go away.
Mental ill-health is rising, as farming faces some of the biggest changes it has seen since 1947. Almost 90% of farmers under the age of 40 now rank poor mental health as their greatest concern.
This growing epidemic may affect you, someone in your family, or someone you know. No rural community is immune. So what can be done?
The good news is plenty of support exists. One such organisation is the Farming Community Network, which has a helpline with over 400 volunteers available to provide nonjudgemental assistance and a wide range of support materials.
Key to coping is to focus on what can be influenced, rather than the many changes which are beyond the control of individual farmers, says Dr Jude McCann, Chief Executive Officer at FCN and a Farmers Club member.
“FCN is well placed to assist and guide those who may find themselves overwhelmed by the pace of changes, isolation and the pressures experienced,” he says. “We don’t have all the answers, but our online FarmWell platform, for example, provides farmers across the UK with useful, non-biased information to help inform their decision making and to better develop plans for the future.”
How big is the issue? Volatile markets, dwindling support, red-tape, climate change, succession issues, isolation – many factors pile pressure on beleaguered farm businesses, challenging farmers, farmworkers and their families as never before.
“They were so kind, practical and helpful, giving me a clear direction of travel. I had been going from crisis to crisis – FCN’s proactive approach has allowed me to get things back on track.”
Dorset farmer Jennifer
Mental well-being is a priority for farming. As pressures intensify it is good to know help exists. Charles Abel reports
Farming’s traditional responses of ‘pull up your bootstraps’ or ‘knuckle down and work through it’ don’t help. ‘Tough as old boots’ is no longer the right mantra.
Younger farmers increasingly take a different tack. “Mental wellbeing is something we are becoming increasingly conscious of,” says Ben Chilman, who won the 2022 Farmers Club Pinnacle Business Management Award whilst at Harper Adams University. “Having set up an agricultural podcast focusing on mental health called The EweTurn Podcast, I have first-hand met and interviewed people who have been directly affected, and firmly believe it is a topic we should be encouraging open conversations around”.
More challenging is the older generation, who may work 18 hour days, down a long farm track, with little time off-farm. Can governments help? Mental ill-health is regularly raised at consultations and research findings presented, but central support has not been forthcoming – so far.
A culture shift is needed, says Alex Phillimore, Head of Communications and Development at FCN. With a non-farming background he was shocked by farming’s high accident and suicide rate. “There is a clear need for strong legislative support around mental well-being, as well as health and safety.”
“I think a lot of people in farming find it hard to relate to policy messages, to understand ‘what it means to me’,” says Alex. As financial support is slowly phased out he anticipates pressures worsening.
“There is so much new information being presented, and it is often accessible through online resources, which some people can struggle to access. Farmers are busy doing the day job, and maybe haven’t had a chance to find out what is happening; and some may be carrying on ‘business as usual’ and hoping for the best.”
Helpline: 03000 111 999 (7am-11pm)
e-helpline: help@fcn.org.uk
FarmWell supporter Stephanie Berkeley, Manager of the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) echoes the concerns. “Our farmers are the best in the world and they are rightly proud of how well they take care of their land, their livestock and their machinery. The problem is they put themselves quite far down the list.”
Helping farmers protect and improve their own mental health is an FCN goal. “Farming is more than a job, and FCN is helping farmers prepare for their future, building resilience to navigate the changes and challenges ahead,” says Janatha Stout, a Farmers Club Committee member and former Head of Operations at FCN supporter NSF Agriculture Northern Europe.
Be sensitive to others who may be in need, urges Andrea Beddows, an FCN Regional Support Officer in the Midlands, and a Farmers Club Under 30s past Chairman. “Farmers Club members are well known for their strong networks and the close links they have with rural communities. The forthcoming uncertainties mean now, more than ever, it is important to look out for the wellbeing of fellow farming families, encouraging them to seek support from farming charities that understand the issues they may be facing, and can help proactively plan for change where possible. Members might even consider becoming county volunteers themselves – connecting with, listening and supporting all members of farming families, whatever their backgrounds and ages.”
Offering a relaxing, calm, meeting place for members, away from all the stresses of daily life, is where The Farmers Club can help, adds General Manager Virginia Masser. “Everyone is welcome in this home-fromhome. Providing a caring place of fellowship, mutual support and camaraderie, whatever your circumstances, is what The Farmers Club has always been about.”
• Mood swings
• Feeling tense / useless
• Worried / nervous
• Not sleeping well
• Changed eating habits
• Poor concentration
• Tired or forgetful
Stay involved, keep in touch, inc via social media If they want to talk, just listen Ask what you can do Remember: they’re still the same person
Little Book of Minding Your Head - over 12,000 copies distributed. See www.yellowwellies.org
As the winter draws in be better informed, see a fresh perspective, find support, including details of numerous other organisations: www.farmwell.org.uk
Twitter @FCNcharity
Instagram @fcncharity
Facebook @TheFarmingCommunityNetwork
LinkedIn The Farming Community Network
400+ volunteers support 6,000+ people/year
“One careful owner. The mind and body of the farmer is the best bit of kit on any farm.With a little care, it will run smoothly for a lifetime. FCN’s Haynes Fit For Farming guides show how. Warning: reading this booklet could seriously enhance your health.”
Farmers Club Summer events made the most of the exceptional weather – from regional shows to wonderful days in London. Charles Abel provides a roundup!
Scorching weather greeted the year’s seventh Club to Country reception at the Royal Welsh Show, where Andrew Slade, Welsh Government Director of Agriculture, Food and Marine gave a masterclass. We also said farewell to RWAS Chief Executive, Steve Hughson, thanking him for all his support over the years, and welcomed his successor, Aled Jones.
A quintessential English Summer outing – Club ‘brunch’ before coach and ferry to the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, with members enjoying afternoon tea in the Rose Pavilion (much needed with the mercury rising fast) and a superb dinner back at the Club afterwards.
Heading 33 metres below street level in Clapham to ‘Growing Underground’ brought a fascinating insight into producing low carbon, sustainable salads and herbs with ultra-violet light in disused Underground tunnels – before returning to the Thames-side calm of the Club for afternoon tea!
We were very privileged to have access to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) including the magnificent India room, Locarno rooms and Grand Staircase – and the Chapel Royal and Queen’s Chapel at St James’ Palace afterwards! Excellent visits full of interesting stories, with lunch at the Club between and afternoon tea after – all while London experienced its hottest day on record (40.2C).
An exclusive group enjoyed buffet lunch in the Club before visiting the top deck of Tower Bridge for stunning London views followed by some seriously unsavoury anecdotes about the River Thames during the boat ride back to the Club.
The vibrant Under 35s group enjoyed a fabulous Festival Dinner in the Club before heading out the following day for Superbloom and City-centre Croquet at Skylight, Tobacco Dock.
The Club’s Macmillan Coffee Morning drew a wonderful attendance to raise £588.50! Thanks to Claire for organising, the Kitchen team and other team members for providing cake, the F&B team for assisting with coffee and tea, and Liza and Xanthe for help on the day.
Horseguards Parade echoed to the sound of Beating Retreat as part of July’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations – an unforgettable experience attended by Club members after a fine early supper in the Club.
Created by sowing 20 million seeds in the moat of the Tower of London, this biodiverse habitat brought natural beauty and pollinators aplenty to a very urban space. Members had time to look around the Tower, Crown Jewels and Traitors Gate before returning to the Club.
OVER £40,000 of bursary awards have been made by the Farmers Club Charitable Trust to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
The funding for a wide range of farming-related ‘Snapshot Studies’ builds on four decades of the Trust’s support for farming educators and the professional development of farming’s future leaders.
Launched during #AgriLeadershipWeek earlier this year the scheme attracted a strong uptake around its five key themes:
• Bringing technology to the industry
• Farming practices of the future.
• Feeding the world (increasing production, reducing waste)
• Educating future farmers, growers and consumers
Twenty-three studies are already under way, with short video summaries set to be uploaded to the FCCT website (www/tfcct.co.uk) over the coming months. Topics being investigated include community agriculture business models, using aquaculture to produce seaweed for biofertiliser and changing how we think about and use nitrogen.
Since the early 1980s the Trust has worked to ‘promote the science and technology of agriculture in all its aspects for the public benefit’, distributing well over £650,000 to send more than 150 UK agriculturists to all parts of the
globe through the Agricultural Educator Awards, as well as providing over 30 Leadership Bursaries for the prestigious Windsor Leadership Trust programme. The new Snapshot Study awards aim to complement that on-going work.
Stephen Fletcher, Chairman of the Trust said: “This was a really exciting initiative to be added to #AgriLeadershipWeek. With a ‘lighttouch’ application and final study presented in video format the Trustees have attracted a wide spectrum of applicants who have chosen to study a range of very topical themes.”
Video reports can be seen at www.tfcct.co.uk/snapshot-studies
New Trust Chairman After 16 years as a Trustee, most recently as Chairman, Stephen Fletcher has ‘set sail’ into the sunset, retiring from the Trust’s board of trustees at the September AGM. His passion for sailing was reflected in gifts of an engraved compass and a pair of binoculars. Taking over the helm is Nick Green, a Trustee since 2018 and Farm Operations Director for farmers and cheesemakers Alvis Bros in North Somerset. Nick is also a trustee of education charity FarmLink, founder chair of the FCCT / Windsor Leadership Trust alumni and a member of the English Panel for the Royal Agricultural Societies, and an active member of North Somerset Agricultural Society.
Industry lunch Key industry figures were invited to a special lunch to discuss the Trust’s charitable activities and seek input on the development of its awards and industry collaboration. Chaired by Trustee Vic Croxson the guests included, Tim Jackson, retired Principal, Sparsholt College, David Fursdon, Board Chair, The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH), Alan Laidlaw, CEO, Royal Highland Agricultural Show Society, Mrs Alex Payne, CEO, LANDEX, and Professor Ken Sloan, Vice-Chancellor, Harper Adams University. The ‘big ideas’ debate was considered a great success.
New Trustee After an extensive selection process the FCCT has appointed Dr Jenna Ross OBE as a new trustee. A past recipient of an FCCT Agricultural Educator Award and a Windsor Leadership Trust bursary, Jenna is International Business Development Manager for the UK Government funded AgriTech centre Crop Health and Protection (CHAP) and chair of Nuffield Scotland.
CHEESE aromas wafted across the Farmers Suite in early October as Mary Quicke MBE DL led a tasting, which ranged from a subtly rich three-month aged Buttery Cheddar to a complex Extra Mature Cheddar, aged for 30 months to deliver notes of broth and fresh-cut grass.
Farm-crafted cheeses adorning plates in homes and restaurants around the world, and our own Club Restaurant, are the culmination of centuries of effort and accumulated expertise.
But are artisanal cheesemakers correctly rewarded? As farm support payments and trade protection dwindle, change as dramatic as the 1880s Repeal of the Corn Laws looms. Now is the time to boost marketing, not just productivity, insists Mary.
“It is vital to get across to people the value embedded in our products, the landscape, and the way we do things. It’s all about education. Unless people know it will come down to price and appearance.”
Cheese is like wine, she argues. It has terroir. Every decision affects the outcome. But do customers know? Every shop, pub, restaurant and retailer can offer and explain a range of wines. A major new initiative aims to achieve the same for cheese (see panel).
The Quicke family has managed the lush green fields at Newton St Cyres in Devon since 1540. In the 1970s Sir John decided to produce something people would really want – ‘the finest cheese in the world’. A high ambition, but well aligned with the family
As a fourteenth-generation cheesemaker Mary has run Quicke’s since 1987, helping it become the UK’s first farm-based food brand and largest artisanal cheesemaker.
So, what makes the perfect cheese? Impossible to say. Traditional recipes and time-honoured techniques create character. The starters, for example, a rich mix of microbes, bring complex flavour, unlike factory-made cheeses that may use just three-microbe strains to guarantee repeatable but simplistic flavours – very sweet/very sharp.
Quicke’s milk all comes from their own cross-bred grass-fed herd, with trials evaluating the role of different sward mixes. Hand-cheddaring continues, stacking blocks of whey manually, unlike the ‘waterfall’ industrial process.
Cloth-bound ageing in the cheese cathedral involves a distinctive ‘mould garden’, with tasters checking flavour at three, six, nine and 12 months to decide how each cheese should be aged. Winemakers may have a vintage once a year, but cheesemakers have a new vintage every day!
Customers relish that wonderful storyline. “They have a massive appetite for knowledge,” stresses Mary. It is something farming should harness to secure a fairer share of food spending.
Eating with knowledge is key. It helps customers buy with purpose, for taste, and to support producers from a locality, with a preferred way of doing things. It answers the question: “why spend more than a fiver a kilo for supermarket cheddar?” The Academy of Cheese, formed last year, aims to nurture expertise, just as the Master of Wine programme stimulated a surge in wine awareness in the 1970s. It has trained 4000 people in 80 countries, with British cheeses accounting for a quarter of the tasting. Could it help cheese expertise match the kudos of wine knowledge? Let’s hope so! www.
academyofcheese.org
Grazing lies at the heart of flavour. Lush pastures on rich, alluvial soils beside the River Creedy are grazed by Quicke cows with complex genetics: 32% Scandinavian Red, 32% Holstein, 12% Kiwi Friesian, 9% Friesian, 7% Jersey, 5% Montbeliarde, 2% Brown Swiss and 1% Ayrshire. Milk yields may be lower but grazing from Valentine’s Day to Christmas Day underpins Quicke’s distinctive flavours.
www.quickes.co.uk
Europe’s first vegetable oil pipeline to transport sunflower oil from Ukraine to the Baltic port of Gdansk in Poland could be constructed following political approval from EU Agriculture Commissioner, Janusz Wojciechowski, reports Euractiv. The 600km pipeline could carry 2 million tons of oil annually.
The UN’s climate change conference, COP27, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt this November, will host pavilions promoting food system change for the first time. ProVeg International and partners advocate Diet Change Not Climate Change, saying global meat and dairy production provides 18% of calories consumed from 83% of farmland. Shifting to a more plant-based diet will help tackle the climate change crisis, it argues.
An innovative hoof health project exploiting computer vision and machine learning has won nearly £250,000 from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), part of Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme. Digital dermatitis, sole ulcers, white line disease and overgrown hooves often show as visual change in the underside and back of the hoof well before symptoms. Hoofcount and the University of the West of England’s Centre for Machine Vision aim to improve early detection.
Lured by their desire for a simpler, more sustainable existence, Lynn Cassells and Sandra Baer left friends, family and jobs to travel to find a small piece of land they could call their own in Scotland. With no money, no plan and no farming experience their idea was to keep a few chickens, a kitchen garden and rent out some camping space. Instead, they fell in love with Lynbreck Croft – 150 acres of wild Scottish Highlands filled with opportunity and beauty.
Our Wild Farming Life is the story of how they learned to bring the land back to life. From inauspicious beginnings with a few hens laying eggs to sell from an honesty box, they bring pigs to work the land, learn to raise Highland cattle, hunt wild deer and learn butchery and making charcuterie to sell to their local community. They apply for grants, write business plans, set up subscription boxes and egg clubs –becoming entrepreneurs as well as farmers.
Their hope is the book will help explain just how much can be gained by understanding and supporting small farmers.
“I didn’t know what to expect from this humble Ukrainian pepper when I first took it into the kitchen, but as soon as I had a nibble, I was smitten”. The taste of that Ukrainian pepper – Capsicum annuum in Donetsk 30 years ago had a life changing effect on filmmaker Adam Alexander.
As he shopped in central markets, amid the economic and political collapse of the Soviet Union, he discovered more local growers selling vegetables and fruits. Thus began a mission to save seed from all over the world, bringing home spectacular varieties to catalogue, grow and share – and hopefully prevent from being lost forever.
He now grows over 100 varieties a year, with a garage full of jars of over 500 varieties collected from around the world, all of which are used, shared and sent to the Heritage Seed Library. “Vegetables are truly our history on a plate.”
The Seed Detective Adam is a fascinating and entertaining read sharing Adam’s seed hunting tales and stories behind our everyday vegetable heroes.
Winter has arrived and despite the colder weather and the shorter days, it’s the season I believe London looks its finest. With decorated trees towering over festive markets, magical surprises around every corner, twinkling lights and crisp mornings, wrap up warm and visit the city.
Here are some experiences worth braving the winter chill for:
There is no better way to get up close and personal to the Christmas lights than on a vintage Routemaster bus tour – the ideal way to see London’s most iconic Christmas light attractions.
The Snowman Peacock Theatre, 19th November to 31st December
After the sad passing of childhood hero, Raymond Briggs, this is one of the most endearing productions of the festive season. Watch the magic unfold through beautiful storytelling, dance, live music and whimsical sets that bring this enchanted winter wonderland to life.
Jack and the Beanstalk
London Palladium, 10th December to 15th January
For many it wouldn’t be Christmas without a panto (oh yes it would!). Jack and the Beanstalk has been delighting crowds for 203 years and this year is no different. Jam packed with comedy geniuses, from Dawn French to Julian Clary to name but a few, it’s the perfect excuse to gather the family.
London Coliseum, 16th September to 22nd January
This winter staple is a wonderful way to banish those January blues.
Beloved for its superb dancing, beautiful sets, and Tchaikovsky’s glorious music, played live by the English National Ballet Philharmonic. Derek Deane’s Swan Lake is a thrill for the dedicated fan or first-time ballet-goer.
Sam Wanamaker’s Playhouse, 9th February to 16th April
Shakespeare’s Globe, one of my favourite places. The breath-taking outdoor Globe Theatre and the indoor candlelit Jacobean Playhouse being used together for the first time ever, experience both iconic spaces in one unforgettable event.
You will journey from the aristocratic luxury of Sicilia in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse to the pastoral playground of Bohemia in the Globe Theatre. This is one not to be missed!
Crystal Palace, 17th November to 2nd January
This award-winning and visually spectacular lantern and light festival promises to bring the history of Crystal Palace Park to life by recreating one of London’s most famous lost Landmarks. See Crystal Palace be ‘Reborn’ in light alongside a fantastic Christmas light walk, creating a winter wonderland of illumination.
Craig Godfrey Member Experience Manager
If I can book any of the above or any other aspect of your visit to the Club over the next couple of months please contact me via memexpmanager@ thefarmersclub.com
The 2022 golfing season started with our annual match with the EPICS played at the delightful New Zealand Golf Club, Surrey, writes Golf Secretary Martin Shaw. It was really enjoyable to experience the hospitality without Covid restrictions, the Club winning a close match 7½ to 4½.
In early May we visited Newbury to play the NFU. It was three years since this last fixture and sadly the result was a heavy defeat, Neil Stoddard and Martin Shaw getting the only ½ for the Club.
Beau Desert Golf Club Cannock hosted our fixture versus the British Vets, starting in rain, followed by torrential downpours, then warm spring sunshine to conclude a very close match won by the Vets. A prior engagement meant the Secretary was unable to enjoy our visit to East Lothian to play the New Club at Luffness and the HCEG at Muirfield. All the players thoroughly enjoyed the trip and the hospitality extended by our hosts, winning the
trophy at Luffness and losing 4½ to 5½ at Muirfield.
What a pleasure it was to return to Royal St Georges Golf Club Sandwich for our fixture against the XL Club. The dinner on Sunday evening (with excellent food) was well supported by both sides and the match on Monday played in warm June sunshine. It was won 8½ to 5½ by the Club, retaining the Mac Hayward Trophy for the first time in many years.
In early July, Blackwell Golf Club again hosted the Club Championships. Those present enjoyed a wonderful day’s golf, on a well presented and challenging course. Richard Wain (37 points) won the Farmers Club Putter, Fiona Wylie (29 points) the Eric Wilson Trophy for Ladies and Andrew Slack the John Roberts Trophy for men over 70.
Ilkley Golf Club hosted our match versus West Riding NFU, played on a glorious summer day, a very close match won 3½ to 2½ by the Club.
Thanks to all the members who have supported Captain Neil Stoddard and the Society so far this season and a welcome to all new faces. Members not on the mailing list and wishing to play please contact Golf Secretary Martin Shaw at martin. edwardswale@gmail.com
For a country totally surrounded by water we British islanders don’t eat as much fish as we probably should from what is caught off our shores.
Most of us love the idea of fish and chips, almost as much as roast beef. Most of the cod and haddock we were eating at fish and chip shops was being imported from Northeast Atlantic waters which are caught in huge industrial ships often fishing off Russian and Greenland waters.
Once transferred to ports like Peterhead in Scotland it is then distributed to various wholesale distributors around the country, including Grimsby, which at its peak in the 19th Century was the busiest fishing port in the world. Now there are more ships servicing the wind farm off the Yorkshire coast than there are fishing boats.
The same can be said of the once famous pilchards that were fished to huge levels, salted and tinned, then sent to be sold in the booming markets of France, Spain and Italy. Records show that one evening over 1,000 tonnes of pilchards were caught and landed in the port of St Ives, Cornwall.
We then had the great demise of our fishing fleets due to many factors, including over-fishing, management
of our waters and the ever improving links with distant countries that were keen to tap into our lust for something different to eat.
Now the industry is picking up, with larger catches being caught year after year. In 2018 a total of 7,000 tonnes was caught, but all under the Marine Stewardship Council’s supervision and controls, and sold under the banner of Cornish Sardines.
We at the Club try to have a good range of fish dishes on our menus which are caught and/or landed under the MSC Certified Sustainable Seafood, or from farms throughout the country.
We all know about salmon farming (all our salmon is Scottish farmed), but there are aqua farms popping up all around the country and along our coasts supplying clear water trout, sturgeon and caviar, halibut, mussels etc to the markets to complement the fish caught off our shores including pollock, hake, octopus, sardines, mackerel, soles and turbot, to name a few.
Watch out for the daily fish specials on the menu, created by my team.
Enjoy! Chef
“We try to have a good range of fish dishes on our menus which are caught and/or landed under the MSC Certified Sustainable Seafood or from farms throughout the country.”
THIS wonderful event in the Farmers Suite sold out in minutes, drawing 48 members of London’s Younger Members’ Inter-Club Group to enjoy a stunning menu showcasing British food and farming, with The Farmers Club centre stage.
A full three-course menu was served, with the provenance of each dish explained on the menu, and described before each course by Club members whose businesses helped produce it. The demonstration of
seasonally cooked British food was an unmitigated success, and showed just what a great Club we have here. Feedback on the standard of food and wine (only one from outside the UK) was outstanding.
Clubs involved in The Younger Members’ Inter-Club include: Army & Navy, Caledonian, Carlton, City University, Farmers, Hurlingham, In & Out, Lansdowne, National Liberal, Oriental, Oxford & Cambridge, Queen’s, Reform, Royal Automobile,
Royal Over-Seas League, Savage, Savile, Travellers, and University Women’s.
More Under 35s events:
• November 12-13
Farm Walk, Eaton Estate (Grosvenor family) and Chester
• November 25-26
Under 35s AGM & Festive dinner
Watch for more details
WHAT a year! As I write this we are in the run up to our rearranged Shoot Supper and in the midst of planning our upcoming Farm Walk, Festive Weekend and AGM.
It has been quite a few interesting months here in the Under 35s. In September we saw the unfortunate passing of our Patron, Queen Elizabeth II. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers went out to her family and King Charles III. I was involved in the run up to the funeral, which was an honour I will never forget. Unfortunately, we were due to have our Shoot Supper during the mourning period, which we rearranged for later in October. We are very grateful to all our members who were booked on to attend this event. Another fully booked event!
The Farmers Club Inter-Club supper happened the last weekend of September, which was a huge success. We were fully booked with a long waiting list within the first three minutes of opening for booking! Thank you very much to our amazing members Emily, William, Andrew and Polly who very kindly spoke at this event. We cannot wait to have our next!
This is also my last Chairman’s Jottings as I will be handing the reins over in January to our incoming Chair. I would like to say a huge thank you to all who have made this past year such a success and I cannot wait to see what the year ahead holds!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
2022 has been pretty full on! I’m at a strange age where I’m just about young enough to be a YFC chair and an NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassador, but old enough to have a responsible job and buy a house…
So, am I taking on more than I should? Possibly. Have I taken all the unique opportunities that came my way? Absolutely! And I encourage others to do the same, where possible.
From an arable background in Suffolk, I’m currently working in Kent as a farm manager, as part of a larger soft fruit business, with my site producing strawberries and blackberries, predominantly for retailers.
Taking on the role at the beginning of the year has meant finding out all the quirks in the adopted systems (notably irrigation), and general learning on the job, with support from the great team I work with.
The storm back in February just added to the mix. Covered tunnels had to be quickly taken down before mother nature did it for us!
Under 35s members are busy carving out their careers in food and farming. Kent-based Dan Hawes provides an insight.
There’s something special about growing strawberries. They are the classic British fruit everyone enjoys, especially when the sun shines! You can’t beat it when the crops look well, and you can see the yield potential just before you start harvest.
For me this began on May 2 and we will have probably come to the end of the season by the time you read this. This is achieved by planting crops at different stages, to stagger harvest, so we can pick throughout the year.
Blackberries at Wimbledon Blackberries have also gone down well with some good feedback, even making their way to Wimbledon. With the first season almost complete, there’s lots to take away, and we’ve already implemented some improvements for next year.
During the year we’ve had a visit from a local pre-school, a Young Farmers club or two, and if the timings had been more convenient we would have had a couple more school / YFC visits.
We welcome nature too, with the entertaining visit from the ‘wandering
pig’ and a couple of young deer that can regularly be seen!
Alongside this, visiting a local school to talk about the farm and what we do, was another highlight. I am a believer in encouraging the next generation into agriculture, and promoting what we do. This is particularly important for the less well represented soft fruit sector I’m a part of!
But it is also a great chance to show people where and how their food is produced, what goes into it, and the exciting advances going on in technology and sustainability. Afterall, if we don’t encourage the next generation – who will?
While on the theme of new entrants, I’ve just returned from the launch of Oxbury bank’s New Gen scheme, unique for those wanting to start up in agriculture/horticulture. It may be of interest for some!
Dan Hawes Under 35s Member KentHONORARY VICE PRESIDENTS
Barclay Forrest OBE, Sir Mark Hudson KCVO, Peter Jackson CBE, Mrs Susan Kilpatrick OBE, John Parker
THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CLUB 2022
VICE PRESIDENTS
Paul Heygate, Julian Sayers
PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN John Lee OBE DL
Nicki Quayle (Chairman), Tim Bennett, Peter Jinman OBE, Jimmy McLean
VICE-CHAIRMAN
Meurig Raymond CBE DL
HONORARY TREASURER
Christopher Riddle
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Keith Redpath
CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND SECRETARY Andrei Spence
CLUB CHAPLAIN
The Reverend Dr Sam Wells
Elected 2019 to serve from 2020 to 2022 inclusive: Kevin Beaty (re-elected), Sue Bullock, Sarah Cowlrick, Karen Mercer (re-elected)
Elected 2020 to serve from 2021 to 2023 inclusive: Ian Bell OBE (re-elected), Tony Bell, Alan Plumb, Anthony Snell
Elected 2021 to serve from 2022 to 2024 inclusive: Stephen Butler, Fiona Fell (re-elected), John Hardman (re-elected), Tom Rawson, Janatha Stout
Co-opted: Alice Hind (Chairman of Under 35s), Emily Pile (Vice Chairman Under 35s)
Nick Green (Chairman), Vic Croxson DL, Meryl Ward MBE, Des Lambert OBE, Dr Jenna Ross OBE, James Squier, Christine Tacon CBE, The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Club (ex officio). Patron Mrs Stella Muddiman
The Farmers Club Christmas Card features an original photograph of English Partridges in snow on Trinley Estate, Andover, Hampshire. Packs of 10 cards can be purchased for £8.00/pack at Reception or order from the General Office: generaloffice@thefarmersclub. com / 020 7930 3751
BUSINESS SUITE - The suite is for individual private working. Meetings are prohibited. Electronic devices can be used, however, other members must be respected. Printers are available on a reasonable use basis.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES - No electronic devices can be used in the hallways, Bar, Lounge or Restaurant, unless for the purpose of quiet reading. No calls can be received or made in these areas. Calls can be taken on the Terrace.
WIFI - Free use available throughout the Club, including bedrooms
THE SHAW ROOM - can be used for meetings of up to three people. Electronic devices may be used but must be set to silent and vibrate. No calls can be received or made in this area. Calls can be taken on the Terrace.
When you login to your online account on the Club’s website, the username will always be your membership number as this is the only detail that never changes on your member account.
• If you have never logged in online or it has been a long time since you have done so, please go to www.thefarmersclub.com then;
- Click on MEMBERS AREA and use the “Forgotten password?” link located under the LOGIN button. Follow the instructions and a password reset email will be sent to your registered email address.
• If you have not received the email within five minutes, please check your Spam/Junk folders, find the email and mark it as “safe” by right clicking on it and selecting Junk -> Never Block Sender
The
• If you receive the email but do not use the password reset within 20 minutes, the security token expires and you will need to restart the reset process again by using the “Forgotten password?” function.
If unsure about your membership number or email address registered on the account, email membership@thefarmersclub.com For technical issues email itmanager@thefarmersclub.com
Deaths
It is with regret that we announce the death of the following members:
Mrs M Allen Oxfordshire
Mr D Davies Buckinghamshire
Mr J Denton Lincolnshire
Mrs P Greenwood Yorkshire
Mr A Howie CBE Ayrshire
Mr A Jackson Northumberland
Mr P Latham Surrey
Mr J Lindop Yorkshire
• Smart casual dress is permitted every morning, Monday to Sunday inclusive until 10 am. (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 6 pm on Friday and throughout the weekend until 10 am on Monday morning.
• Summer dress code applies to the month of August. Please be advised shorts and plastic flip flops are not allowed.
• 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.
Mr R J Maunder Cornwall
Mrs C Meyrick Cornwall
Mr W Prosser Buckinghamshire
Mr J Sawkill Yorkshire
Professor J Sprent OBE Fife
Mr J Tarrant Wiltshire
Mr H Thornton Suffolk
Mr P Treble Dorset
Mr B Turnbull Cheshire
Mr W Wills Cornwall
The Club has reciprocal arrangements with the following clubs. Members wishing to use any of the facilities for the named Clubs need to obtain an introductory card from the General Office prior to their visit.
UK: City Livery Club, London (No beds); Bury St Edmunds & Farmers Club (No beds); Northern Counties Club; The New Club, Edinburgh; The Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh.
IRELAND: The Royal Dublin Society, Dublin (No beds); St Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club, Dublin.
AFRICA: The Muthaiga Club, Kenya (Temp membership payable)
AUSTRALIA: The Queensland Club, Brisbane; The Australian Club, Melbourne; The Geelong Club, Victoria
NEW ZEALAND: The Canterbury Club, Christchurch; The Christchurch Club, Christchurch
Serving the farming industry for 180 years 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL
Chairman 2022: John Lee OBE DL Chief Executive and Secretary: Andrei Spence
Club Email: generaloffice@thefarmersclub.com Reception reception@thefarmersclub.com Bedroom Reservations reservations@thefarmersclub.com Restaurant Reservations Option 3 restaurant@thefarmersclub.com
Member Experience Manager
Craig Godfrey direct line: 020 7930 3557 memexpmanager@thefarmersclub.com
Conference & Banqueting Sales Manager
Liza Keoshgerian direct line: 020 7925 7100 functions@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 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
Whitehall Court Porters 020 7930 3160
Fax 020 7839 7864
Website: www.thefarmersclub.com @thefarmersclub
The Farmers Club Page
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