FC Journal issue 298

Farmers Club

Chairman’s Comments

3 Chairman’s Comments

4 Club News

Includes Club dress code update

6 2023 Pinnacle Awards

The Farmers Club award for farm business management

8 Minister of State Addresses The Club

Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP delivers the Monday Evening Lecture

10 The Chairman’s Tour Chairman Meurig Raymond welcomed members to experience the rugged beauty of the Pembrokeshire coast

12 New Chief Executive & Club Secretary

Didi Wheeler introduces himself

14 John Kerr

In June, Andrei retired as our Chief Executive after seven years navigating The Club through some difficult times, particularly the global pandemic. We owe him a great debt of gratitude as he leaves a huge legacy: the finances are strong, and the membership is growing. The General Committee, with the Vice Presidents, Trustees and Chairmen who served during his time, treated Andrei and his wife, Alison, to a splendid Retirement Dinner at The Club. The huge turnout highlighted the warmth and respect everyone has for Andrei and Alison and the emotion he showed when awarded Honorary Membership of The Club was obvious. We wish them both all the very best in their retirement and there is no doubt we will see them at The Club in the future.

We warmly welcome Didi Wheeler as our new Chief Executive & Club Secretary after an accomplished career in the Army reaching the rank of Brigadier. Having spent some time with Didi, I am certain that members are going to warm to his personality.

At the halfway point in my year as Chairman have thoroughly enjoyed the role so far, particularly meeting members at events and the Agricultural Shows. The Member Experience Team, Craig and Kirsty, have been extremely busy organising a variety of excellent events and it has been a privilege to meet so many members across the UK.

In March, I attended the Annual Dinner of the Association of London Clubs at The Royal Overseas League Club and was proud to hear how highly regarded The Club is within the Association. Our April Monday Evening Lecture was very well attended with Mark Spencer, Minister of Agriculture, as speaker. He showed his grasp of all the issues affecting the farming industry.

We welcomed Club Member, Mr Adam Henson, to our St George’s Lunch as our guest speaker. His life journey, passion for farming and enthusiasm for educating the general public was impressive. His farm park is certainly helping to bring town and country folk closer together.

I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the well-attended BCPC/Farmers Club Seminar hosted at The Club and chaired by Mr Stephen Howe with a wide range of speakers. Without doubt everyone went home with pertinent messages and objectives for the future.

At the end of April was honoured to host the past Chairman’s Lunch, many of whom offered advice to assist and guide me through the remainder of the year.

Visiting the national and regional Agricultural Shows across the UK is a privilege and great pleasure. The season commenced in May with the Royal Balmoral Show in Northern Ireland, hosting dinner for 66 members at the Royal Belfast Golf Club where we enjoyed the address by Mr Peter Hannan, MD of Hannan Meats. Subsequently, we attended a breakfast meeting at the Suffolk County Show which was well attended by 52 members. I congratulate this year’s President, Mr Stephen Fletcher and his wife Marion, and thank them for their very warm welcome to us all. Mr David Barker gave an informative address and we were honoured the Secretary of State, Thérèse Coffey, joined us at the breakfast and spoke positively on the future of agriculture.

In June I visited the Royal Highland Show, holding an excellent pre-Show Dinner for 81 members at the New Club in Edinburgh. Mr Jamie Blackett, farmer, journalist and businessman, spoke on the need for the UK to produce more food and protect the rural way of life. We held a reception on the first day of the Royal Norfolk Show where 46 people attended and listened intently to the wise words from Mr Henry Cator. These excellent shows highlight the importance of agriculture societies in promoting the very best of farming to wider society. We will also be travelling to visit The Kent County, Great Yorkshire, Royal Welsh and the Westmorland Shows to meet our members.

One of my highlights was to be a member of the judging panel for annual

Pinnacle Awards, which recognises entrepreneurship of those at post graduate level. High calibre entries prove the future of the industry is in good hands. I thank Prof Bill McKelvey on his retirement as chairman of the judging panel after the last eight years and wish his successor, Prof Nigel Scollan well.

I thank all the members who travelled to Pembrokeshire for the Chairman’s Trip. The weather was kind, we were treated to some amazing hospitality alongside excellent farming, and real entrepreneurship. Thank you to Mr Edward Perkins for his detailed commentary on the history of Pembrokeshire during the tour and particularly at Pembroke Castle.

Another memorable visit was to Lloyds of London and the Bank of England Museum. I am indebted to Mr Mike Lampard for arranging the day and for his fascinating presentation.

Thirty members had a fascinating day at the Dyson Farming Business at Nocton and the Carrington Estate in Lincolnshire. A huge investment by the Dyson family to improve the technical efficiency of British Farming. Thanks to Mr Philip Wynn for organising the event and for his insightful speech at dinner.

I am grateful to Mr Paul Heygate who was invaluable at helping organise a 2-day trip to Norfolk prior to the Agricultural Show. We visited Holkham Hall on Monday, with a farm trip with Mr James Beamish in the morning and a visit to the Hall and gardens in the afternoon. On Tuesday morning, Mr William Gribbon, Farm Manager to Paul Heygate gave a wonderful tour of the Estate. We saw thirty irrigators working to produce top class produce and were treated to a delicious lunch by Ally and her team. A visit to the Sandringham Estate and stud farm followed in the afternoon and I thank Mr Edward Parsons, Land Agent to the Estate, for an excellent presentation and tour.

We were all devastated to hear of the passing of two of our past Chairman, Mr John Kerr MBE and Mr Peter Jinman OBE. Our thoughts are with both families at this very sad time. They will be greatly missed at The Club by all that knew them. May they Rest in Peace.

Back to its best Club News

My final contribution to The Club Journal brings news of a Club back to its best with WHC being utilised heavily by members and those who hire out our function rooms for business or social functions. The weather lately has been superb and the Terrace filling up rapidly, but I also know that many of you will be hoping for much needed rainfall, especially those who can’t irrigate writes Club Secretary & Chief Executive Andrei Spence.

The second quarter of the year has been one of consolidated financial success and I can report that by the time you receive this Journal all bar £50K of our pandemic loan (£550K) will have been repaid, which helps in keeping the interest charges in check whilst rates continue to rise inexorably.

The electronic door locking system has now been installed and the doors are being made good by our Maintenance team. The new menu is now on show as is the Summer Terrace Menu, all adding to the allure of this gastronomic haven.

Following the sad news of the death of 1994 Chairman John Kerr in March, The Club was further rocked in May when our 2018 Chairman Peter Jinman passed away following a short illness. Both

Club Calendar

Diary Dates

See Club website for information about Club Events

brought great experience and leadership to The Club and will be sadly missed. Their obituaries are included later in this journal.

Following the Easter break, Minister of State, Mark Spencer gave the Monday Evening Lecture in late April and was followed by Committee meetings the following day, where the Audited Accounts were ratified and will be formally proposed at the AGM in July. Other pieces of business were discussed included dress code and amendments were made to this as well as the important proposals that Mr Richard Maunder and Mrs Karen Mercer would be the Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively in 2024, subject to AGM ratification. The past Chairman’s Lunch was also held during the same week which attracted 22 past chairman who had a combined membership of 781 years! At the end of a monumental week, we finished it off with the St George’s Day Lunch with our guest speaker, club member and broadcaster, Mr Adam Henson who proved to be a highly popular, dynamic and passionate speaker and finally the U35s held a ‘King & Country’ dinner to celebrate the forthcoming Coronation.

CLUB DRESS CODE CHANGE 1st SEPTEMBER 2023

Following on from the October 2022 Members Survey, The Club Executive Team have been working their way through the 140 pages of analysis from the survey, reviewing all the comments and suggestions. Dress code was an emotive topic and clearly one that needed review.

As a result the Executive Team put this forward to the Committee in April. The General Committee, through the House Committee debated the topic at length.

Club events and visits

Early May was rightly dominated by the Coronation of King Charles III, however, in the week leading up to this, we managed to conduct our annual Pinnacle Awards. There is a full report in this journal however, this was to be the last awards at which Professor Bill McKelvey was to be Chair of the judging panel after 8 years in post, before handing over responsibility to Professor Nigel Scollan. Immediately after the Coronation Bank Holiday, the Chairman and were at the Balmoral Show and were delighted to welcome 60 members and guests to the Royal Belfast Golf Club for our pre-show dinner. A great evening and a superb speaker in Peter Hannan. The rest of May came fast and furious with Craig and Kirsty taking a party to the Royal Windsor Horse Show, the U35s taking in the Army/Navy Match at Twickenham, many members attending the City Food Lecture and an evening talk, dinner and visit to Buckingham Palace for the ‘Dressing the Georgians’ Exhibition. The month was rounded off with visits to the Chelsea Flower Show and the Chairman hosting a breakfast Reception at the Suffolk County Show for over 50 members with a superb talk from David Barker, but also a surprise appearance and address by secretary of state Thérèse Coffey MP.

By mid-June, The Club was embarking on tours to the Dyson Farm near Lincoln and later that week, a superb gathering of over 80 members and their guests were hosted for the pre-Highland Show dinner held at our reciprocal Club in Edinburgh, the New Club. A great evening rounded off in style with a talk by farmer, journalist and broadcaster, Jamie Blackett.

In late June, a small party of members enjoyed dinner in The Club before having a tremendous evening at the ballet where a performance of Cinderella was watched against the backdrop of the Royal Albert Hall. Completing this reporting cycle, was a trip to Norfolk which included visits to Sandringham and the month was rounded off by a Club Reception at the Royal Norfolk Show attended by 50 members.

As you can see, it has been a fast pace of activity both in London and around the country.

At present “smart casual” dress is allowed every weekday until 10.00am and additionally from 6.00pm on Friday and throughout the entirety of the weekend.

The Committee have now agreed that the rule will change so that on Fridays, “smart casual” dress can be worn for the whole day and throughout the weekend.

This rule change will take effect from Friday 1st September 2023

“Smart Casual” dress includes; smart denim jeans and trainers.

Under no circumstances are ripped jeans, plastic beach flip-flops and shorts allowed at any point in the club.

For the time being all other dress code rules remain the same, so please do remind yourself and advise your guests before you arrive.

June kicked off with 38 members embarking on the Chairman’s Tour of Pembrokeshire. A diverse, enjoyable and educational 3 days were complimented by endless sunshine as the county looked at its very best for the entirety of the trip.

A week later Kirsty and I led a tour party of 30 on a ‘Financial institutions’ day, visiting the Lloyds Insurance building and learning about the history and unique way in which insurance contracts are settled. All this before going on for lunch and a trip to the Bank of England Museum. The party returned to The Club for dinner where guest speaker Sophie Lawrence from Rathbones Greenbank gave a very interesting talk on ethical and sustainable banking.

It has always been an aim of mine to provide the maximum outreach to the membership and increasing that, when we can, away from The Club premises. We seem to have this in reasonable balance and the feedback I get is almost always hugely positive and hope that the ‘member experience’ any member has, be it dining in the Restaurant, meeting, away-day trip, London, touring around the country or meeting others at our receptions around the UK, is always memorable and enjoyable.

With those words from the previous paragraph distilled in my thoughts, reflect on my time as hugely memorable, enjoyable and rewarding and the fact that it has been very genuinely an absolute pleasure to be a part of your unique and special club. It has been wonderful to meet most of you at some stage and have made many new friends during the last 7 years. I wish you all, and The Club, the very best in the years to come, and wish Didi all the very best in taking things forward.

Anna Frick Harper Adams University

Pinnacle Awards

Farm business management skills were on show in the 2023 Pinnacle Awards. Charles Abel reports

A NOTTINGHAM University student has scooped the 2023 Farmers Club Pinnacle Award for farm business management held at The Farmers Club.

Sponsored by the Cave Foundation and run with consultancy firm ADAS this prestigious competition drew entries from colleges and universities across the United Kingdom.

Overall winner was James Drysdale of Nottingham University, with Tim Cotterill from Harper Adams University second, and Anna Frick also from Harper Adams third.

Practical solutions

Celebrating its 26th year the competition seeks to identify young people destined to lead rural businesses in the future, an ambition first realised by awards instigator and 1997 Club Chairman, Roy Walker.

The judges were keen to see detailed plans that would help farms cope as support payments fall. A firm grasp of the key principles of business planning, finance, cashflow and sensitivity analysis was essential.

Prof William McKelvey, Chair of the judging panel, commended the finalists for their dedication and commitment. Their efforts were scrutinised by a judging panel of ADAS Technical Director Business Management James Dunn, Farmers Club Chairman, West Wales farmer and former NFU President Meurig Raymond, and ADAS Agri Business Consultant Josh Brock.

The keenly contested competition saw ADAS sift a long-list of entrants to generate a shortlist of eight for interview in The Club. Key criteria for judging day were the ability to write a report concisely, a determination to defend it, clear presentation style, strong communication skills, and a good degree of common sense, and self-confidence.

“Deciding a winner was the hardest it has been for some years,” noted Prof McKelvey. “A number of the students expressed how very grateful they were for the opportunity to be involved in the competition.”

The awards were presented by guest

speaker and Farmers Club Committee Member Tom Rawson, who gave an inspiring after dinner talk about his innovative dairy business operating across several counties in the UK.

Opportunities seized

A strong focus on practical farming was important for the judges. “The finalists all demonstrated an ability to analyse new enterprises that would add profitability to farming businesses at a time of great challenge,” noted Mr Dunn.

“The future of agriculture and rural activities is in very safe hands,” agreed Mr Raymond.

In his final year as chair of judges Prof McKelvey wished new chair Prof Nigel Scollan of Queen’s University, Belfast all the best for 2024. “I have enjoyed chairing the panel for eight years and have been greatly inspired by the enthusiasm and professionalism of the students.”

After the formalities the finalists, judges, family, friends and tutors joined to enjoy a fine celebration dinner.

A tenancy bid included diversifications into rye and borage, rearing ducks and ewe lambs, dog exercise fields, a sunflower maze and hay re-baling, all carefully costed, with detailed plans and market research.

Creating and promoting two high quality dog exercise fields near a major population centre, with careful consideration of occupancy rates and sensitivity analysis of possible booking shortfalls.

An on-farm outdoor gym, with a small in-door gym and activity room, fully costed with analysis of local competitors and detailed marketing plans.

All finalists receive one-year free Club membership

Holly Bonner

Bridgewater & Taunton University

A new dairy goat enterprise on a tenanted farm included good practical detail, well researched marketing options and good costings.

Sarah Bramwell

Newcastle University

Block cropping and environmental options, plus a machinery strategy and benchmarking were considered for the college farm.

Oliver Dascombe

Bridgewater & Taunton University

Detailed analysis of the benefits from adding a robot milker to the college farm, including practical issues, costs and welfare considerations.

Drone usage, linked to detailed mapping and at-cost nutrient supply, ready for drone spraying once legal, with a novel co-operative structure.

Stewart Mcilwraith SRUC

Locally branded hot chocolate bags produced on-farm were fully explored, including market options and business structure.

James Drysdale

Nottingham University

Tim Cotterill

Harper Adams University

Pinnacle Gold Nickerson Cup, £2000

Pinnacle Silver £1000

Pinnacle Bronze £600

Pinnacle Awards 2023 – Runners-up

Lauren Haining SRUC

Prof William McKelvey (left) was thanked for eight years of service as Chair of Judges by Farmers Club Chairman Meurig Raymond.

All the winners received their award from Tom Rawson, dairy farmer, Club Committee Member and guest speaker.

(l-r) Tom Rawson, Oliver Dascombe, James Drysdale, Holly Bonner, Stewart Mcilwraith, Anna Frick, Lauren Haining, Sarah Bramwell and Tim Cotterill

Monday Evening Lecture

WELCOMING the Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP to the latest Monday Evening Lecture, Club Chairman Meurig Raymond led a vibrant evening’s discussion as the Minister of State demonstrated his strong grasp of the DEFRA brief and a steely determination to represent farming in Westminster.

Throughout the debate the need for Government and the public to see food security as a public good was an underlying theme. But challenge, change and collaboration were key topics too.

Mr Spencer admitted his April evening at The Club was somewhat of a ‘home tie’. “Normally I’d give a bit of a resume of my farming credentials, but too many here know the truth, it’s my son who does the farming these days, with my wife and daughter looking after the farm shop.”

Nonetheless he keeps his hand in at home with practical farming when he can. A few weeks earlier, whilst on tractor duty, he had considered who had the greatest impact on agriculture in recent generations. Maybe Norman Borlaug with his modern wheat varieties, Harry Ferguson developing the threepoint linkage and draft hydraulics, or Fritz Haber with the industrial process for creating artificial nitrogen fertiliser.

Britain’s farming industry had played its part too. The Norfolk four-course rotation, Jethro Tull’s seed drill and Michael Sterling’s threshing machines were prime examples. “Britain has always been at the development edge of farming and a driving force of innovation.”

Challenges force change

Farming innovations met the challenges of the time, feeding millions, proving pessimists wrong and creating the world

we live in today, he said. “Maybe you could argue we are in one of those key challenging moments now.” The global pandemic, Putin’s war in Ukraine and climate change were combining to pose enormous challenges today.

He acknowledged that farming needed to be profitable, productive enough for farmers to survive and attract the best and brightest people, able to innovate and seize the moment. But to do that farming needed to change.

“In my opinion there is a cliff edge coming. We will need to make difficult decisions about how we produce our food and how we support our farmers. We might be able to delay that point arriving, but we certainly won’t be able to stop it.”

British food has a global reputation for quality, but needs to be low carbon too, and have its own brand identity and

premium at the tills. Government would not provide all the required answers, he stressed, it needed to be a collaborative approach.

In England Government would work to create an environment for farmerled innovation, he argued. “We’re not hemming farmers in.” The flexible Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship Plus, were cases in point.

Investing in productivity

Hundreds of millions of pounds of grants and R&D funding, backed by business advice already delivered to 10,000 farmers, was targeted at helping farmers do more with less water, energy, equipment, labour and land, solving the major challenges, whilst increasing productivity, he stressed.

Living in a moment of change meant it was time for farmers to make change happen and for Government to support farmers in doing the right thing, he maintained.

Food security had never been so high on the political agenda, so farming needed to take advantage of that. £2.4bn invested by the Treasury was a lot. It needed to understand it was getting value for money.

On market failure he insisted Government would intervene if needed. “From day one we have recognised the problems in eggs, horticulture and pigs. Supermarkets need to be fair and we’re pushing behind the scenes. It feels like

producers are taking all the risk and retailers taking all the benefits. We will intervene if we have to, including in the dairy sector.”

He saw the retail sector’s drive for open book pricing as a barrier to innovation.

Farming needed to retake the initiative on animal welfare and the environment, he urged. “I wonder if farming has been so brilliant at keeping people well fed that it abdicated responsibility for the environment and animal welfare to NGOs, who are now holding us to account. We need to retake that initiative.”

Collaboration needed

Across the board greater collaboration would be key. “We’re pretty rubbish as farmers at collaborating,” he noted. Government support for producer groups could help, but people with leadership skills would make the greatest difference.

Collaboration between the UK’s nations was also needed. Electronic livestock ID tags set at different frequencies were a case in point, risking the destruction of cross-border trade.

Collaborating with trade partners had merit too. “There are huge opportunities in Asia, especially for lamb, given the UK’s reputation for welfare and quality. So working on seasonality with Australia and New Zealand is a real opportunity, and the trade deals with them have allowed discussions to start.”

Tackling crime in food production was a further key issue. “It’s been prevalent for a long time, so we do need to look at how we address it, because we’re dealing with proper criminals.”

Drawing the wide-ranging debate to a close Mr Raymond thanked the Minister for his very candid, very honest responses. “We are very fortunate to have you as a minister in DEFRA, making the case on our behalf. You understand farming and always have, and am very confident you can drive that message of food security being a public good to Government.”

“There are huge opportunities in Asia.”

Challenging times demand considerable change. Government can help, but farming must play its part too, The Club’s latest Monday Evening Lecture heard. Charles Abel reports

Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP

Conservative MP for Sherwood, Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

“Britain has always been at the development edge of farming and a driving force of innovation.”

“In my opinion there is a cliff edge coming. We will need to make difficult decisions about how we produce our food and how we support our farmers.”

Glorious sunshine enhanced the beauty of Pembrokeshire as Club Members toured the Chairman’s home county.

Chairman’s Tour Perfect Pembrokeshire

Chairman Meurig Raymond welcomed 38 members to Pembrokeshire to experience the rugged beauty of the Pembrokeshire coast, the varied agricultural land and its dramatic historical legacy from the post Norman invasion era.

Leaving our base in Wolfscastle on day one, we visited Puffin Produce based on and around Withy Bush Airfield near Haverfordwest. Led by MD, Huw Thomas, this is a large potato and vegetable sorting and pack house business, rapidly expanding to include more refrigerated storage units, a milk bottling facility which will require 100 million litres of milk annually and a creamery. The sorting and packing lines process 170,000 kg in each 8 hour shift producing 140150,00 kg of finished/packed produce for customers including Tesco, Aldi, Asda and other Welsh major retailers. Potatoes are sorted, washed, dried and packed within 24 hours and the business has invested £35m in the last 5 years with another £20M planned for next year. With a projected turnover of £40m, a workforce of 195, it is the only AA+ accredited potato packing facility in Wales.

In the afternoon, members were introduced to a huge diversification project - Bluestone Holiday Resort Founder, William McNamara started with the original 200 acre farm with a dairy herd whilst also growing potatoes. Imposition of milk quota’s made the business unprofitable and William and his brother diversified into the leisure sector. In 2000, William expanded into accommodation building a holiday resort at the Bluestone site. Despite planning problems and 12 years from idea to completion, Bluestone opened in 2008 with 424 accommodation units, employing 900 people and is currently developing 80 additional units. The project, blending perfectly into the topography of the land with various outdoor/indoor activities, water-park and restaurants now covers an area of some 500 acres with £100m of investment.

Day two took us to the farm of Christopher James at Stackpole. Made up of two blocks, at Home Farm and Stackpole Quay, it totals over 400 hectares. With a dairy herd of 1150 cows, the introduction of milk quota’s forced the business to change its production systems. The influence of the New Zealand grass fed rotation system was gaining prominence and Chris decided to follow this type of management system. By 2001 the farm was running two dairies with over 500 cows in each and a further purchase of 400 acres. The two sites produce 5000 litres of milk per cow per annum depending on grass quality, and all cows have potential for beef. The farm produced 350 heifers for milk and 500 for beef and the cattle are grass fed, supplemented with kale and fodder beet.

We then walked from Home farm to the Stackpole Walled Gardens. The 6 acre walled garden on the Stackpole Estate created in 1770, provided vegetables and fruit for Sir John Campbell (Lord Cawdor) and his family. The once-beautiful Georgian mansion, Stackpole Court, was demolished in 1963 and the estate broken up and sold, but the woods, lakes, and coast passed to the care of the National Trust. Undertaking a walk through the Bosherston trails, members then discovered the beautiful Bosherston lily ponds, just coming in to bloom.

Back on the coach after lunch, the party travelled to the Castlemartin Military Training Area covering 6000 acres. Established in 1938 from grade 2 farmland and parts of the defunct Cawdor Estate, it was abandoned by the military soon after the WW2, but re-instated in 1951, enabling live firing

exercises for UK, German and NATO forces. Active for 44 weeks of the year, the range also provides acreage to tenant farmers for summer/winter grazing as well as summer cutting. Flimston Chapel on the West range was particularly interesting.

Ending a very busy day, the tour went on to visit the imposing and well preserved Pembroke Castle built in around 1093 by Arnulf de Montgomery in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest. The late 12th century keep has a massive cylindrical tower with an unusual stone dome at nearly 80ft high and the gatehouse has a complex barbican and no fewer than three portcullises providing formidable defence.

The castle was also the birth place in 1457, of Harri Tudur, who became Henry VII and inaugurated the Tudor line of monarchs.

On the final day of the trip, we visited the Chairman’s farm. Starting farming in 1967 (at 16 years old) the farm is owned by Meurig and brother Mansell. By 1985 they were farming 1000 acres, purchasing further land during the 1980’s and 90’s and entering a number of tenancy agreements to be farming 3500 acres today, 1420 owned and 2000 tenanted. Considerable investment has enabled larger field sizes, land drainage, 2 dairy units, grain drying and storage units and recently, irrigation reservoirs, underground irrigation mains and potato

grading equipment. Currently farming 2 dairy herds of 380 and 240 cows producing 8500/7500 litres per cow and they have 500 dairy replacements, 180 beef cattle and 2200 store lambs whilst growing wheat, barley, oil seed and potatoes.

Our final lunch was at the incomparable Crug Glas Country Hotel owned by Perkin and Janet Evans. A diversification project providing a 5* guest house and wedding venue, it was the perfect ending to a memorable trip, that had included many diverse farm operations as well as some historical and cultural highlights of the area.

After an extremely enjoyable and rewarding military career, finally departed late last year in the rank of Brigadier. I fulfilled a wide variety of senior appointments in the Army, the Ministry of Defence and Strategic Command. My early years were spent in the infantry and I was frequently deployed on global operations to meet national crisis and contingent commitments, serving multiple tours in Northern Ireland, various African countries, Iraq and Afghanistan.

My final appointment was as The Army Inspector, a challenging but rewarding post. The role was independent of the Army chain of command designed to work as a ‘critical friend’ to the Chief of General Staff (Chief Exec), the Army Board and Executive Committee. reviewed the Army’s objectives and outputs, identified weaknesses and made recommendations for improvement. It was a fascinating role and one where you could genuinely make a difference.

Tom (22) has just finished his final year at Edinburgh University and is ready to take on the world, Charlotte (24) is busy working in London in the hospitality sector; my stepchildren, Cressida (29) is a barrister and Camilla (26) an investment banker, both in London, and Charlotte (19), the closest of us all to the farming community, has recently finished at Hartpury College. She studied agriculture and equine, is now running her own equine business and remains a ‘tour de force’ in the Painswick Young Farmers Club!

New Chief Executive & Club Secretary

At the time of writing this article, I will have yet to take up post but by the time this Summer Journal drops on your doorstep, I will have been ‘in the Chair’ for 6 weeks. Therefore, I thought it would be helpful to share a little about my background and what brought me to The Farmers Club.

A Welshman, originally from Penarth, near Cardiff, my parents and sister still live in South Glamorgan. I have fond memories of childhood days spent on the beach in West Wales and headland walks in Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire or visiting my uncle’s farm in Cardiganshire, all too sadly now gone. was educated

in the Cotswolds, attending Cheltenham College and it was here that the seeds were sown for my lifelong love of the area; it was also at school that I acquired the nick-name ‘Didi’. How I acquired the name is something of a long story but it has stood the test of time, ‘surviving’ through university and my subsequent 33 years of military service. After graduating from Royal Holloway and Bedford New College with a degree in Biology, I decided to join the British Army. Following a period of officer training and education at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, joined my local infantry regiment, the Royal Regiment of Wales which was later amalgamated to become The Royal Welsh.

I was extremely privileged to command soldiers on many operational deployments overseas, most notably with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Welsh. I also worked hand-in-hand with the armed forces of other countries across Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, to build their capacity and capabilities. I also worked at the heart of a major transformational programme to establish the Strategic Command, a new 30,000 personnel organisation. Whilst serving at the Ministry of Defence, only a short ‘stones-throw’ from The Club, I supported Ministers and senior officials across Whitehall.

Aside from relishing a host of challenges, the aspect I found most rewarding in my military career was the broad spectrum of people I worked alongside. Commanding the men and women of our Armed Forces was a real honour and I was privileged to work with an amazing group of dedicated people. They always went the extra mile, delivering beyond my expectations, no matter what the challenge.

Military life did bring a sometimes turbulent family existence. I now live with my wife, Liane, in the Cotswold village of Painswick, a rural farming community in Gloucestershire, which is also in striking distance of family in South Wales. Liane has lived in the local area for most of her life, we were married in the village and she is now a busy Marketing Manager to a local estate agent. I am incredibly lucky to have a blended family of five children:

Apart from an ongoing (never ending!) home renovation with Liane, I love to spend time in the countryside, which coupled with a love of long distance running, makes living in Painswick a blessing. I continue to support my regiment as the Vice Chairman of ‘Firing Line’ the Museum of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards and The Royal Welsh in Cardiff Castle, and remain an active member of the Regimental Committee. I recently ‘hung up my boots’ as a rugby referee but I’m still occasionally seen in the Shed at Kingsholm Stadium, supporting Gloucester as my locally ‘adopted’ rugby club.

So why The Farmers Club?

Leaving the military provided the opportunity to reflect on a career steeped in tradition and dedication in service to others and to think hard on second career opportunities. wanted to take the knowledge, skills, experience and behaviours that I accrued in the military and prove myself in a new and challenging appointment. Therefore, I am absolutely thrilled to have been selected to be your next Chief Executive and Club Secretary.

I would describe myself as a resourceful and empathic experienced leader and will be seeking to make a significant contribution in all aspects of life at The Club. I’ll be an omnipresent and approachable senior figure, at times overt and engaging and at others akin to a chameleon blending into the background. I am passionate about people, experienced at improving individual and team performance and a firm believer that an essential component of any enterprise is to ensure a collegiate, happy, inclusive, and professional working environment. I know that my values align with those of the Farmers Club and I can make a valuable contribution, balancing the need for innovation whilst reinforcing the traditions and values of The Club.

On arrival I’ll be busy meeting as many of you as possible and understanding the detail of The Club’s operation. I have also agreed with the Chairman and Chairman of Trustees that will provide an initial 3-month report following my arrival. The findings from someone new to the organisation, should add real value and assist in The Club’s development, provide input to the 2024 financial plan and help to confirm priorities for the short term. I am arriving at a Club in great shape and I am indebted to the current team and in particular to Andrei Spence, who has been a most excellent Club Secretary. He handled the challenges of the pandemic years with aplomb and has been at the helm of The Club’s post-Covid revival. I wish Andrei and his wife, Alison, all the very best for the future.

I look forward to working closely with the excellent Club team and making myself known to you all either in The Club or out on engagements and activities across the country in the coming months.

Didi Wheeler Chief Executive & Club Secretary secretary@thefarmersclub.com 020 7930 3751

“I now live with my wife, Liane, in the Cotswold village of Painswick, a rural farming community in Gloucestershire.”

“I would describe myself as a resourceful and empathic experienced leader and will be seeking to make a significant contribution in all aspects of life at The Club.”

Didi Wheeler introduces himself

John Kerr MBE

November 1939 – March 2023

CLUB CHAIRMAN 1994

John Kerr was born in Suffolk of Scottish parents, William and Mary Kerr, in 1939. His parents had migrated from New Cumnock in Ayrshire in 1938 to start farming in East Anglia with a herd of Ayrshire cows. He was brought up in Letheringham near Market Wickham and was educated at Framlingham College and later at Writtle Agricultural College and went on to farm a dairy herd of some 220 head of cattle, as well as turkeys and also a number of arable crops including potatoes, peas, sugar beet and cereals over 7,000 acres, one might say a typical East Anglian mixed farming enterprise. A Suffolk man through and through, John became a pillar of Suffolk life immersing himself in the life of the County in many different areas. He was a very active member of the Suffolk Agricultural Association and was Suffolk Show Director between 1982-84 (a position emulated by his son Bruce in 2022) and became President in 2006, the year the show was visited by the Duke of Gloucester, however, he had a key part to play in the Association’s survival and helped save the organisation by introducing a number of key reforms, and at one stage helping to financially support the Suffolk Show. His trademark attention to detail, knowledge of his subject and wise leadership, helped guide the Association during a very difficult time and laid the foundations for future success.

His interests and outreach went beyond the pure farming sphere and testament to him being a true servant and citizen of Suffolk, he served the county as both a Deputy Lieutenant and Vice Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk as well as being Chairman of Easton Parish council, the Framlingham and Woodbridge Horse

Shows and of the Woodbridge Bench of Magistrates. Through most of these offices, John helped to develop a much wider understanding of farming and food production in the County. In this respect, perhaps one of the most important features of his work was the decision to open up his farm to the public, known as Easton Farm Park. The Park had a wide range of animals and exhibits including a stud of 14 Suffolk Punch heavy horses. It attracted and continues to do so, many visitors in the summer months and provides educational facilities for schools within the area. Other interests saw him act as a Non-Executive Director of Booker Farming and of a large private farming company in North West England. John Kerr was awarded the MBE for services to Agriculture in 1986.

In 1994, after serving on several Committees within The Farmers Club, John Kerr became President and Club Chairman of The Club. Based in London, but with the plethora of experience in farming and management, John brought a balanced view of farming from right across the country. He embraced the role and had an extremely successful year, with the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, the Rt Hon Gillian Shephard addressing The Club membership, his first guest of the year. The U30s were as active as ever, the new Forty Room (now The Club Room) was opened and nearly every debate had at its core the CAP and its effects on farming and pricing and also, much debate around planning for the next food crisis – ahead of its time! The annual Dinner and dance at Grosvenor House were addressed by Mr Paul Heiney, Farming columnist for the Times and the then, Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Revd John Waine.

Following his year as Club Chairman, John sat as a Trustee of The Farmers Club Charitable Trust, becoming its Chairman a short time later. Although a Club member for over 50 years, John devoted over 21 years of that membership to its service on Committees, as Chairman and as a Trustee and Chairman of The Farmers Club Charitable Trust – a true Club man.

One of the most high profile associations with which John became involved, was with Ipswich Town Football Club. His father had been a Director of the Football Club but in 1991, John became its Chairman at what was a golden age for Ipswich Town FC which included them being one of the founder members of the Premier League after winning the Second Division title in the preceding season. He was the first chairman from outside the Cobbold family to take the role. After 6 seasons in Division 2, he led Ipswich Town on a journey that made them a force in the top flight again. His successor in 1995, David Sheepshanks, commented, that John had laid down the foundations that made the football club ready for the modern game and persuaded him to remain on the board to make use of his invaluable experience.

In 2002, he was presented with an Honorary Degree by Writtle Agricultural College which acknowledged the key part he had played across the many and varied aspects of life in Suffolk. A gentleman in every respect and a person who became fully engaged with whatever he took on, he was a dedicated and proud family man who will leave a large vacuum in the lives of his family, wife Jill and children Laura, Bruce, Fiona and Alastair.

Farm Data: Putting Trust Front & Centre

By Professor Tina Barsby

Trust. Difficult to gain, easy to lose. Trust is the biggest single issue inhibiting UK farmers from taking advantage of digital tools and the potential of data-led decisions believes Professor Tina Barsby

Digital agriculture companies, machinery manufacturers, and others across the supply chains have expressed frustration at the lack of engagement. The benefits of data use can really add to on-farm decisions such as what to grow, how to grow it, what inputs to use, return on investments, and perhaps even more critically, environmental concerns and benefits.

Tina explains, “My experience of working with and for farmers has convinced me that if UK agriculture is to get to the next level when it comes to sustainability, both economic and environmental, we must start comparing, benchmarking and then reacting to the wealth of data that is potentially available. That is why felt compelled to take a lead on this subject with the British Farm Data Council. Potentially helpful digital tools are at risk of being ignored because of a lack of trust in how farm data is taken, stored, profited from, and potentially shared with others. The British Farm Data Council was formed to address this lack of trust.

So how can trust be addressed? Tina chairs the British Farm Data Council, comprising seven individuals well known in the industry, most of whom are not experts in farm data, but are experts in putting farmers and growers needs at the

forefront. The Council has put together some high-level Principles for working with farm data, which they believe most companies in the space should be able to sign up to. The ‘Principles’ will be interpreted differently in different sectors and Council members have undertaken significant dialogue with individual organisations, trade associations and other bodies, seeking their endorsement of them. Among those consulted are the National Farmers Union, the Agriculture Industries Confederation, ADAS, the Agricultural Engineers Association, the Association of Independent Crop Consultants, CropLife UK, the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board, the Country Land and Business Association, DEFRA, the Food and Drink Federation, LEAF, the National Association for Agricultural Contractors, Red Tractor and the National Beef Pig and Sheep Associations.

Tina explains what came out of this consultation, “It is clear that data governance means different things to different people but almost everyone agreed that organisations have a responsibility to understand where the data comes from, how it is collected, where it is stored, and what organisations can and cannot do with it, without the express permission of the data owner.

“We are not talking about personal data here; that is covered by GDPR legislation. Neither are we talking about clearly defined commercial contracts covering data use, nor data that farmers are legally obliged to share, for example with DEFRA.

“Our Principles resonated with almost everyone we approached, and most felt that we were on the right path towards “what good looks like” - something that many felt was lacking around farm data usage”.

So what are these Principles and what do they mean? Figure 1 summarises the four areas that the Council believes a company working with farm data should be able to demonstrate and explain; data ownership (“Your data is your data”), data value (“We are clear in the value of data”), data security (“We keep your data safe”) and data terminology and transparency (“We strive to make data easy”).

How do you intend to use these highlevel Principles to address the trust issue?

Back to Tina; “Firstly, many companies handling farm data will already be complying with the Principles; for others, if they know what is expected of them when it comes to farm data governance, they can put in place or upgrade their

terms and conditions to embrace these Principles in their handling of that data. To engender trust however, we believe we need a certification process that identifies those companies who are complying with the Principles. That way farmers will know who to choose as partners in their data journey.

The British Farm Data Council has also therefore been focussed on what that certification process might look like and has been speaking to certification bodies that might administer that process. This will be a voluntary scheme, and companies seeking certification will be required to complete a short questionnaire explaining how their systems fit with the Principles. There will be audit only in the case of complaints.

Tina concludes; “Our goal is to have the certification process up and running before the end of 2023. We believe this will increase the level of trust to the point where more farmers are prepared to take another look at how digital tools can help their farm and farm business, and equally importantly, provide the tools to define how we can reduce inputs, improve our soils, and generally define what sustainable farming in the UK really looks like.”

www.britishfarmdatacouncil.org

YOUR DATA IS YOUR DATA

The Data Originator, normally the farmer, owns and controls the data

The Data Originator can access, edit, delete, and migrate data easily

Data is not accessed or store data without explicit opt-in permission

Data is not shared or sold without explicit opt-in permission

There is clarity as to what parties are involved processing the data and why

WE KEEP YOUR DATA SAFE

The security of users’ data is essential

Appropriate data security standards for an organisation’s activities are adopted, and there is a clear explanation of why it is appropriate.

There are processes in place to maintain security of users’ data in the unlikely event of a data breach

WE ARE CLEAR ABOUT THE VALUE AND BENEFIT OF DATA SHARING Value will sometimes be monetary, and other times will be actionable insights

There is clear explanation from the outset regarding what raw data is used and how; and where value is generated, it is clear what that value is and who benefits

We clearly explain how we aggregate data, and what value it generates, and to whom

WE STRIVE TO MAKE DATA EASY

Simple naming conventions are adopted and common across the organisation’s tools

Organisations strive to allow systems to talk to each other, and to support other organisations and systems to share data using best practice and conventions

There is a proactive approach to providing training on data and data use, appropriate to the organisation’s data users

The organisation is accessible and responsive to requests, instructions, or complaints

Peter Charles Jinman OBE

February 1951 – May 2023

CLUB CHAIRMAN 2018

Throughout the course of his professional and private life, Peter Jinman sat on, or represented many groups too numerous to mention on behalf of the UK veterinary profession over almost 50 years. He also immersed himself in the work of his local Parish Council as well as sitting on numerous boards and advisory groups supporting the House of Commons and animal welfare within the food chain as well as many others.

Peter Jinman was born in Leamington Spa in February 1951 to Charles and Florence, a Design Engineer and a County Court Clerk (one of the first females in the UK to hold such a post). He was educated firstly at Feldon Preparatory School and then Warwick School where he developed a passion for wildlife, natural history and bird watching, and had early aspirations to be following in the footsteps of broadcaster, Desmond Morris. As time went by, Peter decided that a more practical foundation for his interest could be achieved by pursuing a career in veterinary medicine and during his school holidays between studying for ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels, he spent time at local veterinary practices to gain some experience and knowledge.

Peter enrolled with the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 1969 and graduated in 1974.

After University, Peter settled into practice life at Renfrew and Sons in Broadway in the heart of the Cotswolds in Worcestershire, taking every opportunity to further his knowledge, a trait that accompanied him throughout his life. It was during this time that Peter became the secretary of the BVA’s Cotswold division and soon built a strong and respected reputation in regional

veterinary politics. Peter was also making a name for himself in and around the Cotswolds due to his mode of transport around the area, his pride and joy, a Triumph TR6 sports car, which in later years was to be replaced by his beloved Morgan 2+2. It was during one his farm visits that the TR6 was vandalised when another of the farm’s inhabitants, a horse, took a liking to the vinyl roof of the TR6 – Peter was most unhappy!

Keen to progress and spread his wings, after two and a half years Peter resigned from the practice with no job to go to, but fate had a helping hand in more ways than one. A job came up for his then girlfriend’s (Gill) father, Nigel Carter, in Herefordshire, which he took in 1976. A year later, he married the boss’ daughter and became a partner in the practice shortly afterwards and remained in the practice in Herefordshire until 2010.

Juggling a frantic political career and being heavily involved in the practice allowed him to represent the Hereford Clinical Group on the Midland Counties BVA Council. This proved to be the springboard on the road to the Presidency of the Association in 2002. Peter took over the Presidency at a very difficult time for the BVA with its reputation impugned and a general lack of transparency with its membership. With typical gusto, tact, diplomacy and under-stated leadership, he and his officer team restored the reputation and increased the association’s transparency through a new Governance model which was seen to be working for the benefit of the Divisions and Members.

Retiring from his practice in 2010, he took up the position of President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

and in the same year was the founding partner of Veterinary Consultancy Services Ltd along with four other senior Vets, providing independent veterinary advice particularly in the areas of expert witness, dispute resolution, insurance enquiries and strategic development. Among his many other appointments and interests, he was Chairman of the DEFRA TB Advisory Group, a Non-Executive Director of Assured Food Standards (Red Tractor), a Councillor first elected in September 2017, and served as the ward member for Golden Valley South where he was an active member of the council as a Cabinet support member until May 2023, and as vice-chairperson of the health, care and wellbeing scrutiny committee – he was also a member and Chair of the Ewyas Harold Common Society becoming a Trustee when the society became a Trust. On top of all this, he somehow found time to run a smallholding with wife Gill and owned an award-winning pub and restaurant, The Temple Bar Inn in which he helped with the washing up after the Sunday Lunch service! He also had a media career and following work on the BBC Rural Affairs Advisory Committee, he made regular appearances on BBC Radio 4 and as a presenter on BBC 3’s Kill it, Cook it, Eat it.

Perhaps most of us knew Peter as a member of The Farmers Club, being a member for 20 years. As with everything that Peter entered into, he did so with 100% commitment, and with his burgeoning portfolio in London, it quickly became a home from home to him, and something he inevitably wanted to put something back into. He became a Committee member and was sub committee Chairman of the House Committee before election to become The Club’s President and Chairman in

2018. During his year, Peter managed to make it a bit different, with the emphasis on learning and broadening experiences, and with a large helping of fun to boot. During his year as Chairman we had high profile speakers including Rt Hon. Michael Gove with over 300 members packing out the Gladstone Library in the Liberal Club, US Agricultural Counsellor, Stan Phillips, NFU President Minette Batters, as well as a touch of celebrity in Henry Blofeld who addressed The Club at the St. George’s Day lunch. Peter also led a very imaginative trip around his home county of Herefordshire, as well as leading a party on a trip to Norway to see how agriculture worked in a country outside the mantra of the EU.

This was followed by a trip to the Isle of Man, again with a view of looking from somewhere that operated outside the EU and things that the UK could learn following the BREXIT decision. He even managed to arrange a very interesting trip to Godolphin Stables at Newmarket which also took in the Jockey Club, the National Equine Hospital and of course, a little flutter at the Newmarket races! The year was a complete success accompanied as it was with Peter’s natural flair, bonhomie and sharp wit. This was followed a couple of years later by Peter being appointed as a Trustee of The Club.

A man of great intellectual flair with a

razor sharp mind and wit that endeared him to all he met, he touched very many areas of the agricultural/veterinary/ environmental sector and was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2004 with the award of an OBE for services to the veterinary profession, and soon after with the BVA’s Chiron Award, a recognition of his work from his peers. Describing himself as always looking for the next task and having sorted out one thing, moving on to the next, he was never good at sitting on his hands and always had time for others. He leaves his wife of 46 years Gill, and daughters, Charlotte and Phillippa and son Henry, along with his beloved grandchildren.

Describing himself as always looking for the next task and having sorted out one thing, moving on to the next, he was never good at sitting on his hands and always had time for others.

St George’s Day Lunch

Members and guests enjoyed a memorable time celebrating St George’s Day in The Club, with Britain’s best known farmer delivering a splendid talk full of passion, insight and inspiration.

Club Chairman Meurig Raymond welcomed an audience from across the country, and especially guest of honour and after-lunch speaker, Adam Henson, a Club member, BBC Countryfile presenter and owner of the very successful Cotswolds Farm Park.

As lunch in The Farmers Suite finished Meurig introduced Adam, who admitted to some trepidation. Addressing 5 million Countryfile viewers was nothing compared to talking to such a knowledge audience, he noted. “If you have any leftover chocolates, please don’t throw them at me!”

5 million viewers

Born on a tenant farm in the rolling Cotswold hills he wanted to be involved in farming ever since he could remember. His father, Joe, fully immersed him in all the practicalities from the outset, never hiding the grittier aspects of farming, wildlife and conservation.

At the bottom line it was a business, he stressed. “Farming is a way of life and a privilege too, but it has to be a business, and has to be driven forwards, onwards and upwards, using technology, research and development.”

In 2001, post foot-and-mouth, Adam started with Countryfile, the most watched factual programme on UK television. Each week he explains the intricate ways farmers work to provide quality food at affordable prices, whilst protecting the environment, the climate and the planet, and never shying away from the sector’s tougher realities.

Farming as a brand

“Viewers want to see farming, we’re popular again,” he enthused. But to make the most of that farming needs a clearer brand, in terms of vision, mission and values. Don’t be shy about talking about profit, he added. It is needed to avoid corner cutting and mental health pressures. “Being successful shouldn’t be an embarrassment. Being able to communicate a message about a profitable business is key.”

Farming’s inextricable link to the nation’s health also needs attention. Obesity is massive, but 13.1m UK people also face food poverty. He was sharply critical of Government’s failure to connect health policy to farm policy – “they should be side by side – we are what we eat”.

Never forget the diversity of the audience, he added. Grand schemes promoting ‘eat British’ can miss the mark. “We have to talk in the right way, because a lot of our consumers haven’t got a clue.”

Talk about positives to combat anti-farming social media echo chambers, with lots of small messages, he urged. Carbon footprints should be examined too, especially as alternatives to meat and milk, like imported soya, avocados and almonds, are so much more damaging.

Legislation may be frustrating, but should be a soapbox to stand on when arguing against cheap food imports, which could cripple UK farming under new trade deals, he felt.

Competing demands for land also merit scrutiny. “There’s a danger that the economics will change the way we manage our land and then where will the food come from. Food security needs to be seen as a top priority.”

Telling a great story

Adam’s forebears honed their story-telling skills in the entertainment industry, his grandfather Lesley working alongside Ginger Rodgers and Fred Astaire, playing for troops during the war, and entertaining King George VI, the late Queen Mother, and a very young Queen Elizabeth II.

But Adam’s father, Joe, also hankered after a farming life. The Cotswolds beckoned and Joe directed his communication skills to a creating a farm park, which also provided livestock for major films like “Braveheart”.

Over the years Joe showed Adam how to farm, and how to explain it to the public. “Food was a hot topic post-war, and it is becoming so again now, something the Government should have at the top of its agenda.”

In its first year the farm park had 50 breeds of seven livestock species, with entry priced at 50p for children and £1 for adults, drawing 20,000 visitors. Footfall now tops 185,000 a year, although entry costs “a little more”.

“Surrounding yourself with people who are good quality, who complement your skills, and have better skills, can take your business in the right direction.” The business has 13 managers and 100 staff, with the farm sharing equipment with a neighbour, which has seen contracting work expand to 4500 acres, spreading the cost of the latest technology over a wider area.

Looking after the environmental impact of inputs, optimising yield and protecting the bottom line, all depends on technology. So education, to equip a future workforce, is vital, Adam noted. “The technology is extraordinary, and the opportunities for rewarding careers are huge, which we have to get across. We need to do more to tell our story.” A GCSE in agriculture, land use and conservation would help.

Sustainability, the ability to last, is key. Environment lies at the heart of it, but it is also about relationships – to family, workers, friends and most of all customers. Better business relationships are coming back into play, replacing the cut-throat, undercutting approach of recent decades, he felt.

Thunderous applause concluded a truly vigorous talk, with Meurig presenting Adam with a pair of Farmers Club tumblers in thanks. In the Bar and on the Terrace conversations continued until well into the evening.

“Food was a hot topic post-war, and it is becoming so again now, something Government should have at the top of its agenda.”

“We’ve got to get better at talking the language of consumers if we’re going to win over the 60 million people that don’t farm.”

One of progressive farming’s most positive and recognised advocates delivered a rousing speech at our St George’s Day lunch. Charles Abel reports

Asparagus Set Cream

Truffled Grated Egg Mayonnaise

Devonshire Cured Ham

Native Beef Single Muscle Rump

Wild Garlic Potato Cake Spring Greens

Shallot Crisps

Caramelised Yogurt Cambridge Cream Cherry Sorbet

Oat Biscuits

Chef’s Treats

Farming briefs

A video sent around the world aims to better educate seasonal farm workers. Employment rights, recruitment, the absence of job-finding fees, accommodation and pay are all tackled. With subtitles in Nepali, Tajik, Bulgarian, Kazakh, Polish, Indonesian, Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian and Uzbek it is backed by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.

A record 15 students from Africa and India are doing a 10-week sustainable farming scholarship at Harper Adams University thanks to development charity the Marshal Papworth Fund, managed by the East of England Agricultural Society.

Crushed volcanic basalt is being spread on UK farms to help combat climate change by using so-called ‘enhanced rock weathering’ to speed carbon sequestration. Scotland-based UNDO aims to spread 185,000t in 2023, including a 25,000t Microsoft-backed trial.

More can be done to cut farm theft worth £40m/yr. Research by farm insurance comparison site, quotezone.co.uk, suggests just 41% of farms keep items in a locked location. Analysis of 6,000+ farm policies showed nearly 20% don’t lock buildings and 15% leave vehicles in unsecured locations.

Farmers Club/ BCPC Technical Seminar

The Club hosted the sixth joint technical seminar, run in partnership with the British Crop Production Council in early June. The title, Farming for Profit and Food Security, and timing immediately following the Prime Minister’s Food Summit was propitious.

The seminar got straight to the key issue focussing on the delicate act of balancing profitable farming and food production while protecting the environment and countryside for all to enjoy.

Delivering that complex combination has been a challenge for farming for decades, noted Stephen Howe, BCPC Advisory Board. “For those with little appreciation or knowledge about food production it has taken recent high-level food price inflation, triggered partly by the Ukrainian conflict, and self-inflicted economic wounds in the UK, to elevate the issue of food security and cost to consumers and government”.

“In recent, more affluent years, it’s been too easy for consumers, politicians and their advisers to forget that food originates from farms, not supermarket shelves. Acknowledging a complex transition in between, UK farmers regularly get the lowest returns while shouldering the highest risk”.

“If the UK is serious about the future of food security and maintaining consistent supplies of quality produce, it will require a UK farming industry which is profitable and fit for purpose to meet the growing challenges of an increasingly dynamic, competitive, global world of food production.”

To ensure that’s achievable, information must be based on science and factual evidence. Politicians, their advisers and spin doctors must recognise that there is no short-term fix to the current malaise. Food production, food security, foreign trade and the environment are, and have

always been, inextricably linked. “To imply otherwise, suggests a complete lack of understanding about the practicalities and long-term nature of farming businesses.”

Short-term decision making is not an option for long-term farming businesses battling on so many fronts including rising costs, increased competition, compliance, global trade, politics and climate change, as Tim Benton, Research Director, Chatham House explained in his opening paper The future of global food security.

There remains many opportunities for farmers and the supply chain to exploit to maintain profitability and reduce the carbon footprint of the UK’s food production process. Measures include making the most of new funding schemes, achieving high yields and paying full attention to detail and producing “less waste and more from less” as Ceres Rural partner, George Badger, and Bedfordshire farm manager, Andrew Robinson, explained.

Working more closely with processors and organisations, such as the Landscape Enterprise Network, to add value to commodities and benefit from any financial support for the provision of public goods, was a clear message from the managing director of Puffin Produce, Huw Thomas and Northamptonshire Managing Director at 2000ha Brixworth Farming, Ian Matts.

All presentations from the day are available on the BCPC website: www.bcpc.org/events/farming-forfood-and-food-security

There is nowhere quite like London in the summer. The city is already alive with the laughter of excited tourists seeing the sights and enjoying all that London has to offer. Here are but a few for you to consider when in town, outdoors and indoors… just in case!

Crown to Couture

Kensington Palace until 29th October 2023

The glittering world of the Georgian court comes head-to-head with the high glamour of the modern-day red carpet. Featuring over 200 items from ball gowns to court suits and handbags to jewellery. Enjoy a wander in the gardens after visiting the exhibition.

Freddie Mercury, A World of His Own

Sotheby’s, 4th August – 5th September

Sotheby’s presents an Exhibition; Freddie Mercury, a World of His Own. It offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the private realm of a global icon.

Featuring stage costumes, handwritten lyrics, fine and decorative arts, Japanese art, and precious objects. A treasure trove of personal belongings… it really is a kind of magic.

Proms in the Park

Battersea Park, Sunday 27th August at 16:30

The world-famous Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra presents classical masterpieces, featuring works from Elgar to Puccini, Vivaldi to Holst. The 60-piece orchestra will stir spirits with

rousing anthems and create spine-tingling moments aplenty, the finale a spectacular fireworks display. Visit the new Power Station whilst you are in the area and be amazed and the transformation of this urban industrial site.

Theatre in the Garden – ‘The Actors Church’ Summer Season

Various dates

St. Paul’s Church, affectionately known as The Actor’s Church is based on the west of Covent Garden’s piazza. Its secluded garden is the setting for Theatre in the Garden, a dedicated season filled with Shakespearean comedy, puppetry, comedy and new takes on classic tales.

Doctor Dolittle to a high-octane Midsummer Night’s Dream, there’s something for everyone.

Matthew Bourne’s Romeo & Juliet

Sadler’s Wells, 1st August – 2nd September

Passion and heartbreak collide in Matthew Bourne’s contemporary take on the timeless tale of two starcrossed young lovers. Returning to Sadler’s Wells for a strictly limited season this North London venue is a delight!

Sunset Boulevard

Savoy Theatre – from 21st September

Nicole Scherzinger returns to the West End this September for a limited 16-week run starring as the immortal Norma Desmond in a new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary Sunset Boulevard. Sumptuous sets and costumes are guaranteed.

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

Andrei’s Retirement Dinner

2023 AGM & Lunch

AGM elects Devonian, Richard Maunder, as Chairman for 2024

The 181st Annual General Meeting (AGM) was chaired by The Club Chairman, Meurig Raymond on 4th July.

The 180th AGM Minutes were approved and the Report and Audited Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2022 adopted. The Chairman highlighted the club’s strong financial position, thanking the Honorary Treasurer and Financial Team for their hard work and diligence. The Executive Team were congratulated on running a tight ship, minimising the cost base whilst still maintaining high standards. Impressive given: a war in Europe impacting negatively on so many commercial aspects; rising interest rates; a cost of living crisis and a challenging hospitality recruitment environment. Despite all of this £350K of the £550K loan had been repaid and a further £100K allocated to the Trustees for investment in the Lease Renewal Fund.

Election of Club Appointments

The Club on Monday 12th June, Meurig Raymond, Club Chairman opened proceedings in the Farmers Suite after champagne on the Terrace.

“This is a celebration of thanks of your 7 years at The Club as Chief Executive & Club Secretary. A huge thank you from the Committee and Trustees, the turnout tonight proves the high regard you have earned. After a distinguished Navy career I remember being introduced to you. Since you have mentored me as House Committee Chairman, Vice Chairman and now Chairman. Your support, advice and help has been amazing and extremely helpful. I’m not particularly good at “detail” but your itineraries planned to the nearest five minutes, ensure peace of mind and less chance of an embarrassing moment. All the Chairman you have served are so grateful for the support they have received.

You leave a legacy of a highly successful Club, financially secure. Your legal expertise came into play during the pandemic and the loan secured will be repaid by the end of the year. Whitehall Court Committees have been “interesting” and the complex lease structures are clear. Three attributes shine through; charm, commitment to The Club and knowledge of members, making sure you speak to all.”

Meurig recounted snippets from the team of Andrei joining the painting party on the 8th floor, being rather frightened of a prize bull on Keith Redpath’s farm and revealing that he loves a boogie at the team party!

Vic Croxon thanked Andrei for his assistance with the FCCT and then Tim Bennett, Head of the Trustees, presented Andrei with Farmers Club whiskey glasses and a photo book containing many a memory.

Alison his wife, was presented with a bouquet of flowers to say thank you for her support and as a departing Chief Executive, Andrei was presented with Honorary Membership of the club.

As you are all aware the membership were invited to donate to a Thank You Retirement Fund.

The fund closed to donations after the dinner and Andrei was sent a cheque of the total fund thereafter. A rather nice present on the doorstep. We wish Andrei and Alison a wonderful retirement.

Andrei responded on the night recounting his proudest moments and a thank you to the Chairman and Committees served. He felt indebted to you the members and thanked The Club team for all their hard work.

“Honorary Membership… well… most humbling thank you, The Club is a very special place.”

Proposing the election of Richard Maunder as 2024 Chairman, Mr John Lee OBE DL a recently appointed Trustee, provided an eloquent overview of Richard’s experience. These included a long association with the food processing industry and senior commercial roles working closely with farmer suppliers and supermarket customers, more latterly as Secretary and Chief Executive of the Devon County Agricultural Association. He remains a busy, dedicated Director, maintains a small holding on the Blackdown Hills, is a Trustee of the Addington Fund, and Liveryman at both the Incorporation of Weavers, Fullers and

Shearmen, and Worshipful Company of the Art or Misery of Butchers of the City of London. Chris Riddle, Honorary Treasurer, seconded the proposal, all unanimously approved.

The election of Karen Mercer as Vice Chairman for 2024 was proposed by John Hardman, Membership SubCommittee Chairman. Karen has been involved in the Agricultural industry all her life, and has held various senior positions including directorship of Mercer Farming, the Regional Chairman of Coutts Bank Landowners Client Group and Master of the Worshipful Company of Farmers in 2022. Karen is an ardent supporter of a number of charitable organisations and an excellent fundraiser. Tim Bennett, Chairman of Trustees, seconded the proposal. Both supporters highlighted the strong work ethic, dedication and sense of fun that is encapsulated in Karen. The appointment was unanimously endorsed.

This year the Honorary Treasurer, Chris Riddle, was proposed for re-election by Club Trustee, Keith Redpath, and seconded by Ian Bell, House SubCommittee Chairman. Both supporters recognised the strong financial position of The Club and the role Chris played and the need for continuity. There was unanimous agreement.

Auditors

The Chairman and Committee recommended Haysmacintyre continue to be engaged as The Club’s auditors, which was unanimously agreed.

The AGM Lunch saw The Farmers Club at its best; outstanding British food, prepared and served by The Club Team, bringing the leaders of the farming industry together to discuss and debate the future direction of UK Agriculture. The Club was fortunate to secure, Tom Bradshaw, Deputy President of the NFU to speak. Tom delivered an inspiring speech on the role of the NFU in delivering opportunities for the industry to become ‘Profitable, Productive and Progressive’, and an honest synthesis of the challenges ahead. His key tenant was that ‘confidence’ is the one aspect that underpinned the whole of the industry and at present confidence was lacking.

Members offered the following reflections;

“Tom opened our minds to consider where our food will come from in the future and how we value it. His speech certainly left members with ‘food’ for thought.”

– Sophie Dwerryhouse.

“An excellent speech which covered well the reality, aspirations and requirements for the UK to have a sustainable food supply, which despite recent price increases is still the third cheapest food in the world as a percentage of income.”

– John Lee.

“Heartening to hear that the NFU continue to remind Ministers that Food Security should be front and centre of Agriculture Policy, and should never be taken for granted.”

– Richard Maunder.

AGM Lunch Guest Speaker: Tom Bradshaw

A look at… the changing face of farming… told by some standout stats

Golf Society Farming Figures

-4.8%

Fall in GB dairy farms April 2022-2023

£1.32bn

Dutch fund to buy-out and close 3000 high-polluting farms to halve nitrogen emissions

42,400 tonnes

‘Deforestation-free’ soya import from Brazil

584,000ha

Ukraine area growing 4M t of grain with no irrigation post-dam breach; futures up £14/t

74 proposals

Rock Review prompting Government plans for Farm Tenancy Forum and Commissioner

75p /fleece

Typical payment for 2022 wool, under half the £1.65/ewe ave cost of contract shearing

£2.4bn/yr

UK food/drink exports to CPTPP (Pacific rim) in 2022, set to rise once UK joins trade bloc

£30,000

Fund to help rural shows created by Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland

-32% to +29%

Shift in 3y investment plans, with sharp dip for machinery, but energy efficiency up

15,640 students

Ag/food-based course take-up in 2021-22

Sources: RHASS, fr.com, TFA, British Wool, NAAC, FW, FDF, NFU, HESA, RCF, AHDB, FG, NWEMail

The Club Golf Season began on the 28th April with our annual foursomes match against the EPICS at the lovely New Zealand Golf Club in Surrey, writes Golf Secretary Martin Shaw. Captain Charles Wylie and his team, despite losing had a thoroughly enjoyable day.

Our next match was at Tewkesbury Park Golf Club, Gloucestershire against the NFU. The match played in glorious spring sunshine was halved 2½ a side.

The trip north to play the New Club at Luffness and the HCEG at Muirfield is one of the highlights of the year. Despite losing both matches our team enjoyed great hospitality renewing friendship with our Scottish hosts.

More matched followed in May and June including The Club Championships at Blackwell on Wednesday 5th July. All were fairly well supported by our long standing and new society members.

New members wishing to play and receive golf related emails please do let me know at martin.edwardswale@gmail.com

How Our Club Menus Are Created

When you our members see the new seasonal menus in The Restaurant, Conference and Banqueting and The Bar a lot has already taken place in the kitchen to create the dishes and menus you are choosing. As soon as our new seasonal menus come into play, we are already thinking ahead to the next seasonal menus.

Products available within the seasons is clearly a key feature; will it be the quality we require, will it last the course and will you and your guests enjoy what we have created.

We start the process with The Club favourites that have been steadfast since my arrival and fear not, they will remain. Now you might think that the menus are all my work, when in fact this is very much a team effort. I discuss the new menu with my team in the kitchen, ideas are thrown back and forth and finally a list of products is agreed. This could be as simple as using chicken for a starter or pork for a main course. We then consider how we might cook and serve them, considering the season. You would not wish asparagus to appear on the menu in the winter! The same thinking is also needed for the style of dish, be it a light spring, summer dish or a heavier autumn or winter dish.

We then move to creating one-off dishes for sampling which may happen more than once, refining as we go. Does it do what we set out to achieve and follow the club food ethos of simply cooked, seasonal, quality, British food? The final say… is of course, mine! Once finalised a photograph is taken.

The recipe is initially written by the Chef who created the dish and then produce a recipe pack for all the team to follow, to ensure consistency of production throughout the season. Allergy information is a legal requirement and I document the details for all dishes. I break down each dish to its cost price calculate the selling price. Finally, put pen to paper constructing the various club menus including 11-12 starters, 11-12 main courses and 5-6 desserts and of course the buffet options that we have.

Once our new seasonal menus are launched, we start over.

So the seeds of what you are eating now took hold in May!

Enjoy Chef

Does it do what we set out to achieve and follow the club food ethos of simply cooked, seasonal, quality, British food?

Tewkesbury Park Golf Club

HCEG Muirfield

Chairman’s Jottings

At home in Sussex on the 1st of June we started grass silaging which was successful in the sunshine; even if the yield was marginally down on last year. Now, after only 1ml of rain in the last month and like most people reading this, we are hopeful for a bit more in the coming days!

We have had four recent successful events for the U35s. At the end of April, we hosted Ed Horton to our Spring Coronation Dinner in the club. Ed talked about his mixed ‘hybrid’ farming operation, managing 4500ha across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire, and contract farming an additional 2500ha. He explained how the system is a lower input considered approach to growing arable crops somewhere between conventional and organic that benefits the soil, water quality, biodiversity and gross margins. He also explained how livestock integration is key, for example, the sheep are grazed on all cereal crops and OSR to remove disease and act as growth regulators, lowering the chemical usage.

In May we hosted a tour, tasting and lunch at Chapel Down Vineyard in Kent and the following weekend a group of 10 of us participated in the Sussex Farm Walk weekend. This was followed by a trip to Polo in the Park, London in early June which saw us watch the semi finals and final of the 3 day event.

As some of you may be aware, when Jill Willows sadly passed

Emily

Under

U35s Inter-Club Update

The Inter-Club calendar has already kicked off with some fantastic events across London, from Sabrage at the National Liberal Club to Tennis and Pimms at the Hurlingham Club as well as the glitz and glamour of a Great Gatsby Dinner at The Carlton Club.

Sussex Farm Walk

away in 2016, she very generously left the U35s with a Legacy for the education and development of our U35s members. In the past, this has gone towards the biannual scholarship to the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth Conference. For 2023, this will go towards two training days hosted at The Club which will be open to all U35 members and will be covering topics such as business planning and financial management. This enables more U35’s to benefit from the legacy.

In order to ensure that the legacy lasts long into the future, we will be hosting a Jill Willows Black Tie Legacy Dinner for all members of the club on Friday 13th October 2023. If you have any items or experiences that you are able to kindly donate to be auctioned on the evening, then please do let me know. Details of the event will be launched nearer the time and more information will follow.

Whether you have been a long term member of the U35s, are newly joined, or are interested in joining, I look forward to welcoming you at the next few events.

Pile BSc (Hons) MSc MRICS

35s Chair 2023

c/o The Farmers Club • 020 7930 3557

generaloffice@thefarmersclub.com

Whilst more events are planned, The Farmers Club has already featured in an event this year at the annual ‘Club Crawl’, which saw members of the Inter-Club travel between five different clubs across London sampling the best wine and food available anywhere! It’s fair to say a great night was had by all, and it was a pleasure to show off our Club to other members.

So, what is the Inter-Club you might be asking yourself? Well, the Inter-Club Group ensures younger members of London’s ‘Clubland’ can make the most of being the latest generation to join this rich and diverse tradition. The Inter-Club founded in 2005 has 15 clubs in it and is run and co-ordinated by younger members from participating clubs. The ability to attend events organised by the Inter-Club is a great benefit and is provided for no additional subscription. Put simply, if you are a member of the Under 35’s, you are a member of the Inter-Club!

There are still lots of exiting events in the Inter-Club calendar for the remainder of 2023, so please keep an eye out on the Under 35’s Facebook and WhatsApp groups to make sure you don’t miss any announcements! And if you have any questions, please get in touch with the Under 35’s Committee and we’ll steer you in the right direction.

Cllr. Aled Thomas BSc (Hons), CMIAgrM, MBPR, MRI, AMRSB

In true Farmers Club tradition, the U35s May Farm Walk took us to the home county of our chairman; the rural idyll of Sussex. Andrew Court & Fiona Friend report

On the Saturday, we assembled at Church Farm in the picturesque village of Litlington. Here we were greeted by Duncan Ellis. His family moved to Church Farm in the not long after the second world war. Since then, the business has evolved to farm over 3,000 acres and diversified in to many different enterprises including The Long Man Brewery. In true Sussex style, this idea was conceived over a pint in the local pub. Today they produce the beer, using 500 acres of Duncan’s own spring malting barley. After the brewing has taken place, 150 tonnes of ‘spent’ grain is fed to livestock on the farm. We enjoyed sampling the various ales as he showed us around the farm. It was clear he is particularly passionate about the environment and connecting the general public to the local countryside. At a particularly beautiful viewpoint, Duncan told us about his new venture, aiming to use Exmoor ponies for landscape recovery. This allows local farmers to naturally regenerate and preserve local habitats whilst protecting endangered ponies.

On Saturday evening, the Pile family kindly hosted us at their beautiful home and Phillip Pile happily showed us around his Arla Tesco dairy farm whilst answering many of our questions.

Not to be outdone, Dan Hawes brought along a selection of freshly picked Kentish strawberries. We enjoyed conducting a taste test, ranking our favourites and finding out each variety’s traits and which market niche they fit in to. Affirming our status as true Brits, the

Wimbledon strawberries came out on top!

On the Sunday morning, after a wander around Lewes, we assembled at the farm of W&A Appleton. A dairy enterprise extending to 614 acres.

We were conducted around the farm by Chris Appleton and his partner Monique. They explained that, like the Ellis family, Chris’s grandad and great grandad moved to the area, from Nottingham in 1947. Bringing their 12 in-calf heifers down with them on the train. can’t imagine Cross Country Trains would allow us to do that now!

Today the Appleton’s have 450 Holstein Friesian cows and 345 followers, producing on average 10,343 litres each for Tesco’s through Arla.

As we were guided around farm, Chris described how they had developed their business focusing on 3 key elements: Healthy animals, happy staff and a sustainable business; socially, economically, environmentally. They stressed the need to listen to the wisdom of their elders, whilst also striving to run a business that can flourish in the modern day.

The Appleton’s also walked us through their ongoing expansions plans. They hope to have a huge rotary parlour operational in the near future.

Our whistle stop tour concluded as all weekends should, with a Sunday roast and a pint at the local pub!

By Andrew Court & Fiona Friend

Under 35s events:

Fri 4th Aug

Polo & Party with DJ, Ham Polo Club, Richmond

Sat 12th Aug

England v Wales Rugby, Twickenham

Sat 2nd Sept

Farm Walk and Tour of Knepp Park, Sussex

Fri 29th Sept

Murder Mystery Dinner, The Farmers Club

Sat 7th Oct

RABI Farming Focused

‘Understanding Mental Health’ Programme

Club Information

020 7930 3557 • www.thefarmersclub.com

@thefarmersclub The Farmers Club Page

Office Holders

HONORARY 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 2023

VICE PRESIDENTS

Paul Heygate, Julian Sayers, Nicki Quayle

PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN

Meurig Raymond CBE DL

TRUSTEES

Tim Bennett (Chairman), John Lee OBE DL, Jimmy McLean, Keith Redpath

VICE-CHAIRMAN

Richard Maunder

HONORARY TREASURER

Christopher Riddle

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN

John Lee OBE DL

CHIEF EXECUTIVE & CLUB SECRETARY

Didi Wheeler

CLUB CHAPLAIN

The Reverend Dr Sam Wells

COMMITTEE

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, John Hardman (re-elected), Tom Rawson, Janatha Stout

Elected 2022 to serve from 2023 to 2025 inclusive:

Sue Bullock (re-elected), Sarah Cowlrick (re-elected), Sophie Dwerryhouse, Nick Green, Lindsay Hargreaves, Mark Riches, John Wilson

Co-opted: Nick Green (Chairman, FCCT), Emily Pile (Chairman Under 35s), Andrew Court (Vice Chair Under 35s)

THE FARMERS CLUB CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES

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

Club Electronic Door Locks & Plastic Keys Cards

By the time you read this article the electronic door locks will be complete, with possibly a little making good of doors, still on-going. Once you have been given your key card holder on check in, with the keys inside, please do take care of them and put them somewhere safe. It is no longer quite so simple to get spare keys from the Whitehall Court Porters when our Reception is closed, quite simply because they do not have access to the system, all part of the increased security.

Also, please return your key card holder with plastic keys on check out to our Reception. There is a drop box slot on the left hand side of the desk if we are not there. This way the cards can be re-used and we are not throwing away yet more plastic into the environment.

PRIZE DRAW

For those that return their key card holder with keys inside, we will enter your name into a monthly prize draw.

LOGGING INTO THE MEMBERS AREA

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

• 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.

Deaths

It is with regret that we announce the death of the following members:

Mr A Batanero de Montenegro Brecknockshire

Lt Col A Blanch Wiltshire

Mr R Eager Sussex

Mr P Jinman OBE Herefordshire

Mr M Lee Devon

Mr S Noble Cheshire

Mrs B Watt Essex

Mr B Wilkinson Yorkshire

Mr M Winterton Leicestershire

Mr P Young Norfolk

New Members

The following were elected:

UK Members

Mr AM Addison Cumberland

Mr JP Binnie Cornwall

Mr MM Bond Surrey

Mr JA Bostock Staffordshire

Mr C Brader Yorkshire

Mr F Brereton Cheshire

Mr AJ Carter Bedfordshire

Mrs H Casey Wiltshire

Mr S Chapman-Allen Norfolk

Mr HA Cobham Lincolnshire

Mr S Connolly London

Mr WR Crane Cambridgeshire

Ms S Cumner Wiltshire

Mrs CR Dale Shropshire

Mr S Doncaster Norfolk

Mr MI Dunn Buckinghamshire

Mr W Ewart Roxburghshire

Mr JN Fairey Hampshire

Mr RJ Farrington Smith Buckinghamshire

Mr HT Fisher Essex

Mr RP Florey Oxfordshire

Mr M Gilder Gloucestershire

Mr SJ Gooderham Norfolk

Dr R Grinnall Worcestershire

Dr HJ Guise Wiltshire

Mr SC Hall Somerset

Mrs A Henriksen Oxfordshire

Mrs JR Hepburn Somerset

Mr PJ Hovesen Norfolk

Mrs GM Kynoch Hertfordshire

Mr NB Le Roux Suffolk

Mr CJ Mackie Devon

Miss A Maidment Wiltshire

Mr WJ Mann Gloucestershire

Mr J Marland Sussex

Mr TF Merrick Cornwall

Mr PJ Ostenfeld Lancashire

Mr ME O’Sullivan London

Mr DS Parsonage Derbyshire

Mr SM Pearce Sussex

Professor S Pearson Lincolnshire

Mr P Pearson Cheshire

Mr GL Pirie Midlothian

Mr KW Priestley Yorkshire

Mr MJ Slade Oxfordshire

Mr TJ Snipe Nottinghamshire

Mr S Solari Cambridgeshire

Mr S Sprackling Sussex

Mr DG Stephen Aberdeenshire

Mr B Stephenson Cumberland

Mr NB Taylor Sussex

Mrs D Taylor Shropshire

Mr NG Thomson Roxburghshire

Mrs K Thorne Oxfordshire

Dr T Toop Shropshire

Mrs CL Townend Somerset

Mr NJ Walton Norfolk

Mr CB Waples Sussex

Mr RM Warren Dorset

Mr PD Webb Worcestershire

Mr M Worssam Sussex

Dr SA Wren Devon

Overseas

Mrs LW Brett United Stated of America

Mr J Kokke United States of America

Mr K Murphy Eire

Mr A Piva Italy

U35s

Mr R Acland London

Mr JW Adams Buckinghamshire

Dr HL Adams Dorset

Mr L Anderson Norfolk

Miss AJ Barlow Cheshire

Mr OR Beattie London

Miss GF Chambers Northumberland

Mr D Coles Midlothian

Mr G Coles Midlothian

Mrs A Devine Eire

Mr T Du Val de Beaulieu Hampshire

Mr MJ Gorringe Herefordshire

Mr JD Hayward Suffolk

Mr OC Hill London

Mr C Jackson London

Miss LL Krarup Belling Denmark

Mr CT Lake Cambridgeshire

Miss MA Lawson Lancashire

Mr H Leverton Lincolnshire

Mr GT Livesey London

Mr F Mason-Hornby London

Mr DJB Moore Dorset

Miss C Okafor Essex

Mr SN Paske Cambridgeshire

Mr HC Read Lincolnshire

Mr J Rutherford-Roberts London

Mr JD Seager London

Mr WJ Southall Yorkshire

Miss EA Stafford Leicestershire

Mr TG Stephenson Hertfordshire

Mr TJ Whittaker Staffordshire

Mr O Williams Cornwall

Miss RL Wilson Yorkshire

Club Contacts THE FARMERS CLUB

Serving the farming industry for over 180 years

3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL

NEXT ISSUE

The next issue of The Farmers Club Journal, due with members early in November 2023.

If unsure about your membership number or email address registered on the account, email membership@thefarmersclub.com For technical issues email itsupport@thefarmersclub.com

Mrs V Rennie Middlesex

Mr P Robinson Yorkshire

Mr LW Robson Northumberland

Dr C Rumbaitis del Rio Dorset

Mr C Scott-Hopkins Oxfordshire

Dr AK Sherman Berkshire

Mr R Singleton Yorkshire

Chairman 2023: Meurig Raymond CBE DL

Club Email: generaloffice@thefarmersclub.com

Bedroom Reservations 020 7930 3557 ext 4 reservations@thefarmersclub.com

Restaurant Reservations 020 7930 3557 ext 3 restaurant@thefarmersclub.com

Conference & Banqueting 020 7925 7100 ext 5 functions@thefarmersclub.com

Member Experience Department 020 7930 3751 ext 6 General; memexpmanager@thefarmersclub.com

Club Events; memexpcoordinator@thefarmersclub.com

Reception

020 7930 3557 ext 2 reception@thefarmersclub.com

Membership 020 7925 7102 ext 7 membership@thefarmersclub.com

Finance

020 7925 7101 ext 7 financialcontroller@thefarmersclub.com

General Office 020 7930 3751 ext 6 generaloffice@thefarmersclub.com

Whitehall Court Porters 020 7930 3160

Fax 020 7839 7864

Website: www.thefarmersclub.com @thefarmersclub.com

The Farmers Club Page

THE FARMERS CLUB JOURNAL

Designed and produced by: Jackson Daly, www.jacksondaly.com

No film or film processing chemicals were used.

Printed on FSC® Silk. This product is made of recycled materials and other controlled sources.

Associate

Mr CWA Berg London

Mr N Dyakonov London

Mr O Epp London

Mr SA Fruitwala London

Mr J Howard London

Chief Executive & Club Secretary: Didi Wheeler

AUG 12TH 2023

Under 35s England v Wales

Men’s Rugby

Forthcoming Club Events

AUG 18TH 2023

Brooklands & Champagne Concord Experience

SEPT 29TH 2023

Club Macmillan Coffee Morning

SEPT 29TH 2023

Under 35s Murder Mystery Dinner

OCT 7TH 2023

RABI FarmingFocused “Understanding Mental Health” Programme

NOV 24TH 2023

Under 35s Festive Supper

OCT 10TH 2023

Harvest Festival Service & Supper

SEPT 2ND 2023

Under 35s Knepp Park Farm Walk

SEPT 27TH 2023

The Chairman’s visit to Greenwich

OCT 2ND 2023

Kit Kat Club at Playhouse Theatre

OCT 6TH 2023

Under 35s InterClub Harvest Festival

OCT 13TH 2023

Jill Willows Legacy Dinner

NOV 6TH 2023

Monday Evening Lecture: The Rt Hon Thérèse Coffey MP To be confirmed

DEC 5TH 2023

Christmas at Kew

DEC 14TH 2023

London International Horse Show

DEC 31ST 2023

New Year’s Eve Black Tie Dinner