Farmers Club AUTUMN 2023 • ISSUE 299
www.thefarmersclub.com
INSIDE
Chairman’s Comments p3 Club News p4 Dog & Stick Farming p6 Honorary Member’s Lunch p8 Membership Benefits p9 Crop Health & Protection p10 Greenwich Tour p12 Farming Briefs p14 Club Merchandise p14 Craig’s Corner p15 Looking Forward 2024 p16 Farming Figures p18 Club Golf p18 Chef’s Page p19 Under 35s p20 Club Info p22 INSERT Team Christmas Fund
Maritime Greenwich Club Members toured a modern marvel and our naval heritage p12
Dog & Stick Farming p6 Crop Storage Research p10
Contents
Farmers Club Serving the farming industry for over 180 years
3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL
FRONT COVER The beautiful Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London. Photo: Brig Didi Wheeler
Disclaimer: The articles published in The Farmers Club Journal do not necessarily reflect the views of The Farmers Club. No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in the magazine can be accepted by the publisher. Advertisements are included in good faith. All rights reserved.
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Chairman’s Comments
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Club News
Includes a review of the Summer agricultural shows and events around The Club
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Dog & Stick Farming with a Modern Twist
Will Atkinson shares his thoughts on farming in the Meon Valley
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2023 Honorar y Members’ Lunch Honorary Members return for their annual lunch at The Club
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The Benefits of Farmers Club Membership
10 Crop Health and Protection Crop storage research makes a resurgence in the UK
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12 The Chairman’s Greenwich Tour Club members visit the Thames Barrier and the Old Royal Naval College
14 Club Merchandise for Christmas 15 Craig’s Corner The perfect time to head to the city with an abundance of festivals, ice rinks and traditional markets
16 Look Forward 2024
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Vice Chairman, Richard Maunder and the Chief Exec begin to shape the programme of activities for 2024
17 Farming Figures 18 Golf Society 19 Chef ’s Page My quest for Britishness
20 U35s Lokkeleber y Vineyard
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The transformation from Wheat to Wine
21 U35s Knepp Park Visit A fascinating day at the pioneering rewilding project
22 Club Information and Contacts 24 New Friday Dress Code Smart casual dress code now applies all day, every Friday
Team Christmas Fund 2023 Team Christmas Fund form is enclosed in the Journal 2 • The Farmers Club Autumn 2023
Chairman’s Comments • Meurig Raymond
Chairman’s Comments
I write this approaching the end of September and the days are drawing in quickly and the weather suddenly feels autumnal. Over the past two years the weather has been very kind to farmers, but this year has highlighted the important role that the weather plays in the fortunes of farming. Following a very wet March and early April we then had an extremely dry May, June and early July when what we needed was moisture to benefit the growing of crops. This period was then followed by a lack of consistent sunshine from mid-July to early September which has made harvest more challenging due to additional costs of drying the crop. Whilst our wheat yields were average, winter barley yields were down by 10% and our spring barley although achieving malting quality yields were down by 25%. The oil seed rape harvest was very disappointing with yields down again by 25%. Now that we are planting next year’s crop let us hope that the weather conditions will be more favourable. The potato harvest is in full swing but the extra costs of irrigation during June and July will affect the bottom line and the crop again not yielding as well as last year.
The Club has been very busy during the summer months and I am delighted that Didi has settled in very well as our CEO and has had the opportunity to meet with many of our members at The Club and many other events. The show season has been busy with visits to Kent, Great Yorkshire, Royal Welsh and Westmorland. I apologise that I was unable to attend the Kent Show due to High Sheriff duties and I thank Ian Bell for deputising. A large gathering attended our event at the Great Yorkshire Show, and we were treated to a wonderful address by Duncan Berkshire. The Royal Welsh proved to be a highly successful few days and we were pleased to have Aled Jones (CEO of the Society) as our guest speaker who definitely inspired over 60 members that attended our event. It was good to see so many people attend our final show of the season, the Westmorland Show. We were treated to a most pertinent talk by Mary Smith on the issues of mental well-being, and how she and her team use the outdoors and growing crops to overcome mental illness. On a glorious first Sunday in July, 60 members enjoyed a wonderful day at Henley Regatta. The rowing was excellent, and the hospitality and occasion made it an unforgettable day. Thanks to Brenda and the Copas family for treating us so royally. The Farmers Club AGM took place on 4th July. Congratulations to Richard Maunder on his election as Chairman for 2024 and to Karen Mercer for being elected as Vice-Chairman. Chris Riddle was reelected as Honorary Treasurer. The Club are very fortunate to have them in place for 2024. Our guest speaker was Tom Bradshaw, Deputy President of the NFU and he certainly impressed everyone with his knowledge, understanding and clarity of thought on the challenges we face in developing future policy and fairness across the food supply chain, thank you Tom. I was privileged to host our Annual Honorary Member’s Lunch at The Club in early September with 16 attendees and
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900 years of membership between them. A most stimulating discussion took place with Didi outlining some of his initial thoughts and ambitions for The Club. Our Harvest Thanksgiving Service & Supper took place on 10th October, and I was delighted that Canon Michael Rowlands delivered the sermon this year. This was a real privilege as he has been my Chaplain in my year as High Sheriff. We had a great trip to the Thames Barrier and the Greenwich Naval College on the 27th September followed by Dinner at The Club. The naval theme continued with Vice Admiral Paul Marshall CB, CBE as our guest speaker. I must thank Hilary for hosting the Annual Ladies Lunch at The Club in October. A great time was had by all, and Fay Jones MP for Brecon & Radnor was an outstanding guest speaker. As you read this, we hope to have had Thérèse Coffey the Secretary of State at DEFRA to speak at our Monday Evening Lecture on 6th November. A detailed report on that Club Event will follow later. Looking forward to 28th November we will be presenting The Farmers Club Cup at The Club and we are delighted that our guest speaker will be Lord Curry of Kirkharle. This is my final article as Chairman, the year has passed all too quickly! I must thank everyone who has supported me this year, including the Office Holders, Committee Members, and all the members that Hilary and I have had the privilege of meeting. The Farmers Club team led by Didi and Virginia have been absolutely outstanding, in the professional way that they steer The Club on a daily basis. They have made our year quite special and we will forever have happy memories of our year. Huge thanks to all. I wish my successor Richard and his wife, Jo, all the very best for next year and hopefully they will enjoy their year as much as we have. The Farmers Club Page
www.thefarmersclub.com • 3
Didi Wheeler • Club News
Club News
First Impressions: ‘Our Home from Home’ My first real contribution to The Club Journal in appointment provides the opportunity to highlight recent events and summarise my initial impressions writes Club Secretary & Chief Executive Didi Wheeler The Club remains one of the best kept secrets in Whitehall, if not London. As a membership, you are all passionate about your Club and I thank you all for taking the time to chat with me about your aspirations for your unique and very special Club. Your views are varied, that is not surprising, but irrelevant of age, background and aspiration you echo with one powerful voice that The Club is your ‘Home from Home’. The transition from late Summer through to early Autumn, which this Journal covers has allowed me to see The Club transition through three distinct phases. Firstly, from a vibrant Summer of busy pre-holiday midweek member activity with a backdrop of Lords Test match cricket and Wimbledon. Then passing to a markedly quieter Holiday August period in The Club, bringing with it a resurgence of cross-generational families visiting both midweek and at weekends alongside the bustle of inquiring overseas reciprocal members. This period also allowed the supporting team to draw breath and for all departments to undertake essential tasks mostly in the background and unseen by most members. It also allowed the Executive Team with Heads of Department to conduct the early in-depth analysis required for next year’s budget. Finally, as if the school yard bell had been rung on Monday 4th September, the return to The Club by members was once again palpable and I am delighted to say this busy pace of life will continue from now until Christmas! Therefore, I have been able to meet and chat with a very broad cross-section of members, both here in 4 • The Farmers Club Autumn 2023
The Club but also at agricultural shows across the country. The return of members to The Club following the pandemic has been exceptional and we are almost back to our 2019 levels of Club activity and member participation. Room occupancy continues to climb, members prefer the fantastic and competitively priced food menus of our Restaurant rather than heading into Town to find a restaurant. We now ensure we provide an everexpanding portfolio of Club events and activities for the enjoyment of members than ever before, and this will continue to evolve. The Club has bounced back well so in the coming months we will be able to fully repay the debt incurred by the pandemic. However, whilst this has been a significant achievement, The Club continues to operate in a challenging and uncertain hospitality environment. The long-term consequences of both Brexit and the pandemic continue to be felt across the sector. However, we are overcoming these challenges and I must thank my team for redoubling their efforts to find efficiencies, drive down costs, cover for one another when we are short staffed, and generally ‘go that extra mile’; all whilst still maintaining the high level of service you recognise and expect in The Club. In addition, The Club is facing spiralling costs in almost all aspects of The Club’s operations and the present current ‘cost of living crisis’, particularly for those in hospitality in London is presenting significant challenges to The Club today and as we look forward into 2024. In parallel, there are also changes required to make improvements and support us in overcoming these challenges, these will be evolutionary, rather than revolutionary and will be incremental in nature. However, the aggregation of 1% improvements in many areas will lead to steady and sustained improvements across your Club for the longer term, which is really good news.
Agricultural Shows Over this period, the Chairman and I attended the Royal Norfolk, Kent County, Great Yorkshire, and Royal Welsh Shows and late in the season, the Westmorland County Show. They are all unique in their own very special way and were extremely successful, recording bumper audiences. I must congratulate the agricultural associations for their innovation and determination to capture the imagination of the public at large to support their farming and agricultural communities and have a cracking day out! The Shows provide an ideal opportunity to re-engage with members in your regions but also chat with agricultural societies, charities, commercial organisations and policy shapers within whom our members are a part. They also continue to provide an excellent platform to meet members and guests at our well known Farmers Club Receptions. Thank you to all of you that have attended with your guests and friends, some of whom have now joined The Club. I must also thank all our guest speakers: Henry Cator (farming overview), William Alexander (diversification), Duncan Berkshire (pig veterinary and welfare), Aled Jones (agricultural show innovation) and Mary Smith, (rural mental health charity). They have all been superb and are an invaluable addition to our receptions.
Club News • Didi Wheeler
Club Calendar Diary Dates See Club website for information about Club Events
Club Events Early July saw over 60 members and guests descend on Henley Royal Regatta, where our very own, Brenda Copas, ensured our experience at the Steward’s Enclosure on Temple Island was especially memorable. The sun shone, the champagne flowed, and members enjoyed exceptional food and lively banter amongst friends on a memorable race day. Back in the City of London, our members, Joy and Nick Laister introduced us to the 500-year-old Cart Marking Ceremony of the Worshipful Company of Carmen. The City’s second largest public event of the year allowed members to view a breathtaking array of vintage and modern vehicles, which were all branded with a hot iron! An incredible morning was followed by a champagne reception and lunch at the Livery Hall. August saw ‘Family Holiday Fun’ at the Olivier Award nominated smash hit ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’ for parents, grandparents and children at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. I’m not sure who enjoyed it most, the children or ‘grown-ups’! Members tell us they love events that are near The Club and particular favourites that we have regularly visited over the past months have include the disused spaces of Charing Cross Underground Station with access to exclusive areas not accessible to the public. Members have also climbed the Elizabeth Tower
with its narrow 334-step spiral stairwell to the Belfry where Big Ben, the Great Bell, hangs. Learning of the details of the most extensive and complex conservation project in the Tower’s history with traditional skills, including stone masonry, glass blowing, gilding, plastering, cast iron and clock mechanics, as they climb ever upwards! The State Apartments of Speaker’s House provided members with the insight of the history and traditions of the Speaker’s role during a guided tour. The Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle was also available and more than happy to sign members’ purchases – the lengths The Club goes too! Further afield at the Brooklands Museum, the birthplace of British motorsport and aviation, thirteen members had an enjoyable but busy schedule taking in the immaculately maintained sports cars, and a more sedate glass of champagne as they re-lived the excitement of the supersonic age with a tour and ‘flight’ on Concord. Craig continues to evolve the ‘bespoke’ service provided for members. So, if you and your family and friends are thinking about coming to London and aren’t quite sure about what is the best entertainment on offer, contact us at The Club. Craig and Kirsty will be able to advise and pull together a programme of activity that meets your needs. They will also be able to find the best deals and we always pass on these savings to you, it’s a fantastic service.
FARMING ‘GIANTS’ LOST Sandy Inverarity CBE passed away after short illness, at Ninewells Hospital, on 25th July. His role in Scottish agriculture and horticulture was as significant as it was diverse. On the 8th August, Ionwen Lewis passed away at Brondesbury Nursing Home, Cardigan. She was a powerful voice and friend to farming in Wales and influenced Royalty, politicians and agricultural leaders over many years. Both were stalwart members of The Club and are sadly missed.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 5
Will Atkinson • Dog & Stick
Dog & Stick ‘Dog and Stick’ farming with a modern twist, Will Atkinson (Under 35’s Member of The Farmers Club) shares his thoughts on farming in the Meon Valley. Will Atkinson reports The Atkinson family came from Cumbria in 1906, and I am a 5th generation farmer still farming cattle, sheep and arable in the Meon Valley. My father has witnessed great change in his lifetime and I believe that as shoppers become more and more interested in where their food comes from and the environmental impact of producing it, my generation will have to step up to offer unbeatable traceability and sustainability to enable our farming family business to survive.
“We love the Meon Valley and the wildlife in it and our style of ‘dog and stick‘ farming plays a very important part in shaping the landscape of the valley.”
6 • The Farmers Club Autumn 2023
Lambs are born, reared and finished on the family farm at East Meon in the heart of the South Downs, grazing very low input grass on hillsides that have remained unchanged for centuries. We love the Meon Valley and the wildlife in it and our style of ‘dog and stick‘ farming plays a very important part in shaping the landscape of the valley. Over the years we’ve seen many changes, but fundamentally livestock farming in the
Dog & Stick • Will Atkinson
South Downs is still at the core. With steep, chalk hillsides unsuitable for cultivation and river valleys not suitable for intensive dairy farming. Grass-fed lamb is arguably one of the most sustainable forms of modern-day agriculture and also has great benefits to the wildlife and flora which use the South Downs as their habitat. Our permanent pastures act as giant carbon sinks which, in a greener world will become increasingly important. The landscape is very diverse and there are a huge number of different species, but without sheep the scrubland would return and the eco system would be very different. After graduating from Reading University, I worked in the meat processing industry and had first hand experience of dealing with big supermarkets and witnessed the increased demand for good quality, traceable, grass-fed lamb. There is a massive focus for us all to do our bit for climate change and the environment and one element has been encouragement to eat less meat. This global trend is compatible with seeking to ensure that the meat we do eat should be of high quality and raised with the best possible welfare standards and with the environment in mind. The majority of our 1000 lambs end up on to the shelves of two major supermarkets, but some is made available direct to the public in batches, reducing transport emissions. The farm also has 350 beef cattle, with contracts to supply meat to supermarkets, meanwhile a new enterprise – goats arrived at Lower Farm for the first-time last April.
We began with 15 kids, introduced a further 18 and are about to add 20 more, all from a trusted breeder. The first kids grazed on steep, scrubby hillsides and ate a mix of grass, blackthorn and brambles that sheep and cattle wouldn’t touch. Then they came inside when the weather worsened and were fattened on hay. We sell the goat meat direct to the public, but some also goes to local pubs and butchers. This has been a popular new start - people keep picking up the phone asking for more!
“Grass-fed lamb is arguably one of the most sustainable forms of modern-day agriculture.”
Our ethos is to keep diversifying to introduce new income streams and lessen, any reliance on subsidies. We make each new enterprise fit in our current farm business and let it organically grow. We can then work out better what works and what doesn’t. Lower Farm hosts 35 school tours each year, while it also operates a campsite set in a rolling chalk hill valley on the banks of the River Meon. Guests can get away from it all and see a working family farm while being close to East Meon and the South Downs Way. And, not surprisingly, one of the extras available to campers is a box of fresh meat to cook on the barbecue! The dog walking paddock is a success, the pumpkin patch is currently in the growing stage and our ‘Lambing Live’ event had over 250 visitors. The farm has been on Facebook and Instagram for a while but now we also post on TikTok using @meonside_farm in response to the demands of the digital age. I believe there is a growing interest from people with little contact with the land, in farming and farm life and in a world of misinformation I’m keen to educate and inform people to get the right British farming message out there.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 7
2023 Honorary Members’ Lunch This year’s lunch saw 16 Honorary Members return for the annual lunch at The Club. It’s a remarkable event every year and those 16 members had accumulated over 903 years of membership and service to The Club amongst them. In simple terms that translates to a significant amount of agricultural leadership, expertise and deep experience of farming and the agricultural community. With a blisteringly warm day, reception drinks were taken on The Terrace as members gathered. There was much chat from members on their reflections on visits to The Club over the years and how The Club continues to evolve as their ‘home from home’ in Whitehall. Lunch provided an opportunity to hear the rich and varied stories and reflections from the Honorary Members as they enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by the outstanding kitchen team. Post lunch, the Chairman was able to provide a summary of his reflections on the year and of the challenges faced across farming: a lack of ‘confidence’ across the industry; balancing the requirements of food security whilst working towards sustainability objectives; and requirements for fairness across the food supply chain. Closer to home, the challenges of the erratic weather over several months and the compound impact on this year’s harvest would need to be overcome and lessons learned for subsequent seasons. On The Club, he reflected on its strong financial position, the extremely busy tempo of activity, the outstanding service in all areas and the wonderful food for which The Club has become renowned. The Club Secretary provided a short summary of his time in the British Army which provoked a series of questions on training, readiness, equipment but most importantly ‘the soldiers of today’ and the challenges they face. He followed with an
8 • The TheFarmers FarmersClub ClubAutumn Autumn2023 2023
insight on his initial impressions of The Club: ‘the best kept secret in Whitehall, if not London!’ A Club that was held in high esteem by members passionate about their ‘home from home’ in London; that retains important legacy ‘golden threads’ but is not afraid of innovation and change for the better. Whilst The Club was in excellent health, there was no place for complacency. He described the current post BREXIT and COVID challenges which were compounded by spiralling costs in areas of The Club’s business and outlined areas of incremental improvements across the breadth of The Club: enhanced engagement with members across the counties; strengthening the team in delivering the very best service to members; and continuing the refurbishment of The Club, amongst many others. The Honorary Members were enthused, congratulated the Chairman on his leadership this year and offered their thoughts on their Club. The most senior Honorary Member present, John Brooks, reminded us all that we should regularly reflect on ‘What The Club has done for us!’. Honorary Members present: Denis Tabor, Dr Anna Snowdon, John Bartlett, John Brooks, Diana Ashby, Giles Rowsell, Edwin Jones, Roderick Ashby, Amanda Nicholson, Paul Heygate, Sir David Ralli, Peter Wakeford, Philip Chamberlain, John Parker, Simon Orpwood, and Christopher Spokes
Membership Benefits • Your “Home from Home” in a central London location. • Club facilities ranging from bedrooms, function rooms, Business Suite, Lounge, Bar, The Restaurant and a Terrace overlooking The Thames. • A friendly on-site team there to assist and welcome you home. • Being a part of the farming and agricultural community with the opportunity to make your voice heard. • A great place to meet like-minded people. • A place to bring family, children, friends, colleagues, all are welcome. • Meet friends and colleagues, old and new. • Keep up to date with farming topics of the day. • Access to a Member Experience team who can plan every aspect of your stay. • Eating the finest British food. • A vibrant programme of club events all year round, to network and meet new friends. • Function rooms some with River Thames views, to hold your family, social and business events. • Extended membership options for family, friends and colleagues. • Seeing familiar faces from The Club around the UK as The Club goes “Club to Country”. Do remember to renew your membership for 2024 and pass the message on to others to become a member too! Membership is available for anyone in farming, agriculture, food, drink and related industries.
The Farmers Club… ay!!! a great place to work, rest and pl
www.thefarmersclub.com • 9
Rosie Bryson • Crop Health and Protection
CROP STORAGE RESEARCH MAKES A RESURGENCE IN THE UK
Crop Health and Protection (CHAP), funded by Innovate UK, is one of four UK Agri-Tech Centres. CHAP’s vision is for the UK to be a global leader in the development of applied agri-technologies, to help secure our future by nourishing a growing population sustainably while delivering economic, environmental and health benefits to society. Dr Rosie Bryson reports
“Crop storage research is always the Cinderella of the food supply chain research portfolio, despite the fact that it underpins the whole thing.”
10 • The Farmers Club Autumn 2023
CHAP acts as a unique, independent nexus between UK government, researchers and industry, building innovation networks to identify and accelerate the development of cutting-edge solutions to drive incremental, transformative and disruptive changes in sustainable crop productivity and to establish controlled environment agriculture (CEA) as a core competency. Their latest projects stemmed from the loss of the Potato and Horticulture levies to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) which resulted in the closure of the Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research facility in East Anglia putting at risk a long history of storage research in the UK and limiting the availability of research facilities. This raised concerns in the industry at a time when food security and national self-sufficiency was never more important. Ensuring food
supply chains are effective, and food waste minimised, remains a high national priority coupled with the need to be energy and cost efficient. The good news is that they have joined forces with two other leading R&D organisations to spearhead a resurgence in crop storage and post-harvest research with new facilities and a cohort of experienced researchers. With their support, capital investment was secured from Innovate UK, with additional funding from the Scottish Government (JHI site) and ADAS (ADAS site). The new facilities also augmented and expanded an existing unit at the University of Greenwich. The Crop Storage and Post-harvest Solutions (CSPS) facility network launched in July, now spans across three strategic locations within the UK. The collaborative
Crop Health and Protection • Rosie Bryson
partnership is between ADAS, (CHAP), the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) at the University of Greenwich, and the James Hutton Institute (JHI). Together, they have joined forces to establish and operate the CSPS facilities, aiming to advance research and innovation in crop storage and post-harvest approaches. The facilities offer a diverse range of advanced capabilities such as the ability to simulate multiple supply chain environments while exercising precise control and monitoring over essential storage conditions – temperature, humidity, and atmospheric composition such as variable CO2 levels. Initial research priorities will focus on developing pre- and post-harvest monitoring and modelling techniques to predict storage potential, as well as supply chain tracking and monitoring, optimising store management for energy efficiency, exploring automation and labour-saving opportunities, testing potato sprout suppressant technologies, and evaluating sustainable packaging materials. This is a truly collaborative effort to support R&D in this important part of the food chain, we are just at the start of this new journey but already we have had tremendous support and interest from the industry. Prof. Sheryl Hendriks, Director of NRI, said: “In order to protect food supply chains and minimise food waste it is vital that resources for research to improve crop handling and storage are fit for purpose. This cannot be covered by an individual organisation but requires a strong national network.”
investigating innovative methods to control microbial decay and spoilage after harvest will be tested and lastly, understanding and controlling the biological factors influencing food storage and shelf-life. Dr Susannah Bolton, Vice Principal for Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) said: “Postharvest losses of fresh produce represent a huge risk for growers of high value crops, and effective storage is required to keep these losses at a minimum. “Threats to effective storage include loss of chemistry and increasing energy costs, industry-scale storage research facilities such as those now provided through CHAP are essential to test the viability of emerging technologies to build credibility and drive uptake.” Prof. Derek Stewart, Director of the Advanced Plant Growth Centre (APGC), at The James Hutton Institute, added: “Crop storage research is always the Cinderella of the food supply chain research portfolio, despite the fact that it underpins the whole thing. This new initiative offers a new wave in data-enabled crop storage research at a scale that mimics industrial crop storage”.
“Threats to effective storage include loss of chemistry and increasing energy costs, industryscale storage research facilities such as those now provided through CHAP are essential to test the viability of emerging technologies to build credibility and drive uptake.”
Members of the CSPS consortium have already received many enquiries after the initial launch in July heralding and new era in storage research. The journey has only just begun but it will help to ensure supply chain resilience into the future.
The CSPS facility network aims to enhance food supply chain resilience by addressing key challenges including food waste reduction, extended shelf-life, and optimisation of the food value chain from primary production to retail. Stakeholders will have the opportunity to engage in vital research focused on developing sensors, tags, and bio-indicators to enable better management of produce quality. An additional interest will be on
www.thefarmersclub.com • 11
Chairman Meurig Raymond • Greenwich Tour
The Chairman’s Greenwich Tour
Photo: The Painted Hall at The Old Royal Naval College
“Few of us had any understanding of the strategic importance of the Thames Barrier and its role as a critical national asset.” 12 • The Farmers Club Autumn 2023
Stunning blue skies greeted the Chairman and thirty other members as they departed The Club for a Members’ Tour of Greenwich to visit both the Thames Barrier, close to Woolwich Royal Arsenal, in the morning and the Old Royal Naval College, in the heart of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the afternoon. Arriving at the Thames Barrier, few of us had any understanding of the strategic importance of the Thames Barrier and its role as a critical national asset routinely protecting London. Hosted by the Environmental Agency, we spent the next 2-hours spellbound at the history, the engineering feats, and the future challenges London faces with annual rising water levels. Flooding has been an issue for London ever since the first Roman settlements two thousand years ago. On 7th December 1663, Samuel Pepys wrote in his diary: “At
White Hall I hear and find that there was the last night the greatest tide that ever was remembered in England to have been in this river: all White Hall having been drowned”. More recently in 1953, England’s worst recorded flood occurred when a storm surge in the North Sea struck landfall, resulting in 307 deaths and 200 people made homeless. Following the realisation that protection of London’s 125 square km, £321 bn of assets and the population of London was nonnegotiable, work was set in train to find a solution. After numerous delays, the current
Greenwich Tour • Chairman Meurig Raymond
The Thames Barrier is a complex operation of 10 gates. The largest being 61 meters long, 20 meters high, weighing 3700 tonnes (equivalent to 471 elephants!)
barrier was eventually officially opened on 8th May 1984. Today the Barrier is a complex operation of 10 gates. The largest being 61 meters long, 20 meters high, weighing 3700 tonnes (equivalent to 471 elephants!). It provides daily resilience, 364 days of the year with 2 high tides per day, and spring tides twice per month. Of course, water levels continue to rise 1mm per year due to global warming and this is compounded by less predictable storm surges and weather systems in the Atlantic and local wind conditions. A new barrier will be required in c2060 and will very likely be positioned further downstream. We left the Thames Barrier in wonder at the engineering achievements and reassured that the safety of London was uppermost in the minds of the Environmental Agency.
After a delicious afternoon tea in the Under-Croft Café at the Old Royal Naval College, we felt suitably refreshed to travel back through 600 years of history and wander amongst some of Britain’s very finest Baroque buildings. Of note was the beautiful Chapel of St Peter & St Paul, originally part of Sir Christopher Wren’s design for the Royal Hospital for Seamen at Greenwich. It was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1779 by James Stuart. With its richly decorated ceiling, naval themes, and exceptional altarpiece painted by ‘the American Raphael’, Benjamin West, it is now regarded as one of the finest neo-classical interiors in existence. Similarly, members were in awe at the remarkable Painted Hall. It is a simply captivating room that took our breath away. Intended as a dining hall for the Naval Pensioners at
the Royal Hospital and was latterly used as the dining hall for young officers at the Naval College. Designed in the early 18th century by Sir James Thornhill, the Painted Hall features 40,000 square feet of Baroque walls and ceilings. These surfaces are covered in striking images depicting 200 figures including kings, queens and mythological creatures. At the end of a long afternoon, the members took a leisurely Thames Clipper voyage up the Thames and back to Embankment to arrive in time for an evening drinks reception and ‘maritimethemed’ dinner. Vice Admiral Paul Marshall CB CBE, Director General Ships, was our guest speaker, and Paul provided us with a privileged insight into the roles and global challenges faced by the Royal Navy of today.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 13
Farming briefs
Club Merchandise For Christmas
Tesco is expanding its lowcarbon fertiliser farming initiative ten-fold after early results with G’s, Branston, Stourgarden, Huntapac and TH Clements showed no adverse effects and a cut in emissions of up to 50%. Next year’s 13,000ha programme will include pasture and forage-based livestock systems, it says. Vinnie Jones, hard man footballer turned film actor, stars in the latest farmbased TV series Vinnie Jones – The Wild Life. Due to air on Discovery+ it shows Jones and his farming family working to secure a sustainable future on their small West Sussex farm, says producer All3Media. Photo ID requirements when buying ammonium nitrate threaten farmer access to the nutrient, warns the Agricultural Industries Confederation. The move follows Home Office changes to the Control of Poisons and Explosives Precursors Regulations 2023. Staff at government agencies involved with farmers have received training to help them show greater empathy. Delivered by the Farming Community Network to staff at Natural England and the Animal and Plant Health Agency the training aims to aid understanding of farming’s challenges, reports Farmers Guardian.
14 • The The Farmers Farmers Club ClubAutumn Autumn 2023 2023
Please visit The Farmers Club website, Merchandise Page for details on how to place your order. www.thefarmersclub.com/membership/club-merchandise
It’s the perfect time to wrap up warm and head to the city. With an abundance of festivals, ice rinks and traditional markets, to get you into the festive spirit. The Lord Mayor’s Show 11th November
This public parade takes place at the Lord Mayor’s inauguration ceremony and showcases over 800 years of history. Full of opulence and grandness, the procession runs between Bank and Aldwych.
Hansel and Gretel
The Globe Theatre, 8th December - 7th January This winter, The Globe Theatre is presenting a wonderfully fresh take on The Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale, Hansel, and Gretel, with music and magic. This stage première promises to be a spectacular and enjoyable festive treat.
The Nutcracker
The London Coliseum, 6th December – 13th January Discover the magical world of ballet with this sparkling festive treat as over 100 dancers and musicians bring to life the beloved tale of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet with stunning sets and exquisite dancing. Set to remain one of the most popular Christmas performances.
Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands
Sadler’s Wells, 5th December - 20th January 2024
Disney On Ice Presents 100 Years of Wonder
The O2, 21st December - 31st December This show promises to be a magical experience for the entire family as Disney on Ice returns. Join Mickey, Minnie and their Disney friends in a breathtaking celebration of adventure, courage and love as they take to the ice through a dazzling celebration of the world of imagination.
Christmas Actually
Royal Festival Hall, 7th December – 11th December The ultimate festive variety show, curated by Love Actually writer and director Richard Curtis, in partnership with Comic Relief.
‘Wishmas’, London’s Old Bauble Factory Waterloo Station,14th November – 7th January
London’s Old Bauble Factory, located under Waterloo Station, will be transformed into a magical realm of holiday magic with the arrival of ‘Wishmas: A Fantastical Christmas Adventure’, which promises to enchant visitors of all ages. This brand-new, original story from the creative minds behind Secret Cinema is sure to enchant and excite.
Peter Pan
The Palladium, 9th December – 14th January 2024 He’s behind you! What is Christmas without a panto? And the Palladium is the UK’s biggest. Starring Jennifer Saunders and Julian Clary, with fabulous sets and costumes paired with jawdropping special effects.
A new adventure based on Tim Burton’s 1990 film of the same name. Adapted by Matthew Bourne, well known for his bold adaptations of classical ballets. 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 Craig Godfrey Member Experience Manager
www.thefarmersclub.com • 15
Richard Maunder • Look Forward 2024
Look Forward 2024 As we enter Autumn, Vice Chairman, Richard Maunder and the Chief Exec are beginning to shape the programme of activity for 2024, so we thought you would wish a sneak preview of some of the plans that are maturing in the background.
The Chairman’s Devon Tour
Richard Maunder with Jo, his wife
Richard’s early agricultural career started in the food processing industry in operational and commercial roles working closely with farm suppliers and supermarket customers. In addition, his cousin still owns and operates a small chain of traditional family butcher shops. Therefore, as you might expect, there is inevitably going to be a strong emphasis on food in farming and the food supply chain in The Club’s programme of events next year. In addition, as Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Butchers, and a Liveryman of the Incorporation of Weavers, Fullers and Shearmen at Tuckers Hall, Exeter, we will also be connecting with these organisations for events in London and during The Chairman’s Devon Tour.
16 • The Farmers Club Autumn 2023
The Chairman’s Devon Tour next year will take place between Wednesday 15th May and Saturday 18th May. The programme continues to be developed but will include: a historical tour of Exeter, experiencing the wool history of Tuckers Hall home of the shearers; a visit to the Devon County Show; private tours of Riverford Organic Farm and insight to Fowlescome Farm’s dedication to non-intensive, regenerative farming methods; and a private tour, tasting and lunch at Calancombe Estate Vineyard. Of course, we will be programming visits to Agricultural Shows in the summer months, but I also hope to start a new initiative where the Chairman and I will aim to visit the counties in Spring and Autumn to meet members at ‘country-pub catch-ups’. In addition, I suspect we will take the opportunity to revisit Dyson Farm and see the further expansion of their strawberry greenhouses.
Look Forward 2024 • Richard Maunder
Club Tour to Southern Sweden & Denmark The enthusiasm post COVID for an overseas Club Tour to Europe is high on the list of activities we are scoping. Opportunities are being explored at pace and there is potential for a visit to Southern Sweden which could also encompass a visit to Denmark. Members with detailed knowledge have been extremely supportive in shaping our thinking about how best to deliver a fantastic agricultural and cultural tour. More details will follow in due course
Engage with The Club’s Suppliers Notable Speakers at The Club We are looking to engage notable speakers at The Club with expertise in food retail and food policy, and specifically the challenges of today: what is a ‘Good Food System’ and how that relates to the UK; sustainable healthy eating; modern food security and implications for the UK’s food system.
Closer to home, we will expect to organise tours from The Club that bring the rich history and food culture of London to life. These will include imaginative and intimate food tours such as at Borough Market and engage with The Club’s own suppliers that are based in London, which could include Forman’s and Field’s Smoke House. Of course, we will be making use of the river, parks and gardens and ensure a good lunch and engaging speaker at every opportunity.
Sporting Events Finally, expect a hint of sport and specifically rugby to add a flavour to events as well. In addition, on the equine front, we are planning a visit to Lambourn over the period 18th-20th April. This will be an exciting opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes of the Racehorse world and will include a visit to Henry Candy’s Stables, The Jockey Club at Newbury Racecourse and spend a day at the races. Of course, all these events will be in addition to the very best of The Club events from this year, that Craig and Kirsty have programmed. Many of these events were oversubscribed so you have asked us to repeat them in 2024.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 17
Martin Shaw • Golf Society
Farming Figures
Golf Society
A look at… the changing face of farming… told by some standout stats
£30.35bn
Richard Horrell, Geoff Matthews, John Hardman
Record food & drink imports Jan-Jun 2023 up 6.6%, exports of £12.1bn rose just 2.8%
221 days
Time UK could feed itself with home-grown food, making Aug 9 ‘self-sufficiency day’
£25,677
Annual cost per farm of bovine TB in Wales
43,000ha
Welsh government’s 2030 target for new woodland, including 86m extra trees
22%
Jump in rural crime in 2022 to £49.5m
2 turbines Onshore wind turbines installed in England in 2022, a tenth of new offshore capacity
63%
Farmers telling FW that industry was better off under EU, 62% saying Brexit worsened red tape
63%
Farmers responding to Defra sentiment tracker who were not positive about industry’s future
£8,100
Price paid by US buyer for 15-week working sheepdog pup Kemi Kira at Dolgellau sale
75mt
Rise in demand for poultry & red meat as global middle class set to grow (+3bn) by 2031 Sources: HMRC, FW, NFU Cymru, Defra, NFU Mutual, Welsh Gov, RenewableUK, FarmersMarts, AgriTrends, Defra Tracker
Luffenham Heath Golf Club hosted our annual fixture with the British Veterinary Association Golf Society. Fourteen players each side enjoyed a well presented course in glorious weather and for the second year in succession the Vets were the winners. Playing golf at Royal St George’s is a wonderful experience. Meeting the night before our match with the XL Club for Dinner in The Clubhouse is a great opportunity to meet the opposition while enjoying good food, wine and sharing tales of our golfing experiences etc. Monday morning comes around rather quickly! The morning foursomes matches at 5½/1½ in favour of The Club was a great start, but following lunch, a spirited fightback from the XL Club the final result was 7½/6½, The Club just retaining the MacHayward Trophy (a rare feat). Our matches against the West Riding NFU are usually held on a variety of courses around Yorkshire. This year Otley Golf Club was the venue. All attending enjoyed a great day’s golf on a well presented course, the West Riding NFU side winning 3½/2½, a very close contest. For many years, going back to Royal Show times, The Club Championship has been held at Blackwell Golf Club, Bromsgrove. We invariably receive a warm welcome, the course is always in great condition and is a true test of golfing ability. Mark Jones won the Men’s Stableford Competition with 39 points, his wife Janina the Ladies prize with 36 points and Peter Gossage with 35 points won the John Roberts Cup (Men over 70). The attendees numbered at 27 which was rather disappointing. Hopefully we will have better attendance on Wednesday 3rd July 2024, (this really is a golfing experience not to be missed).
The John Alliston Tankard meeting at Stratford-upon-Avon Golf Club is held annually in celebration of the life of John, a well respected, friendly person, much missed by us all. Martin Taylor (thanks for all your help in organising the event) won the Tankard with 40 points. All attending enjoyed a great day’s golf, in near-perfect playing conditions. After the very miserable weather conditions from mid July to the end of August, it was a welcome change to play the Autumn Meeting in warm sunny weather. The first day was held at Worksop Golf Club, a tight course on the edge of Sherwood Forest. From a slow response, 27 players and guests enjoyed a great day’s golf. Our lady members winning the team prize and Bob Lamb the individual men’s prize. The second venue was Coxmoor Golf Club near Mansfield. We were somewhat disappointed to find the greens had recently undergone Autumn work, but again enjoyed good facilities and hospitality with Andrew Slack winning the overall competition with 42 points… a great round. Finally my thanks to Captain Charlie Wylie, for his devotion to the role of Golf Society Captain, and to all members (new and old) and guests who have enjoyed Farmers Club golf this season. martin.edwardswale@gmail.com
Charles Wyl
ie, Nick Secr et
18 • The Farmers Club Autumn 2023
t, Denis Cham
berlain
Head Chef & Director of Food • Paul Hogben
My Quest for Britishness
As you read this, the Autumn into Winter seasonal menu will be in full flow. My mission to get as much British grown produce onto our menus as l can continues. However, some items still elude me. In late spring, l ventured to see a young farmer in West Sussex who is diversifying into the fresh food supply market, pulling together lots of well-established small producers from across the county and beyond. Just the person to assist in my quest! We visited a 200 year old watercress farm that has been in the family since it was conceived using naturally forced spring water from under the South Downs to grow his crop. Two Sicilian brothers who came to this country after the war, worked in a local nursery and when the owner was retired they bought his business. They are still going strong with their children on board and grandchildren not far behind, they produce all manner of produce from tomatoes, peppers, chillies, cucumbers and soft herbs. On the fertile soils around Chichester Harbour l met a single-handed producer who grows everything from seed, sets out the young plants by hand on his 60 acres of land and relies almost entirely on the British weather to bring on the growth. Carrots,
beets, beans and squashes were all coming along nicely. These same suppliers are also working on Autumn and Winter crops that we hope to bring to the table as well, hopefully reducing the need to use imported produce which we sometimes have no choice but to use. Venturing further afield, near to my parent’s home sits a farm in Plaxtol, Kent that now produces many soft fruits that we would associate with much warmer climates; peaches, nectarines and apricots to name a few. We also have some lovely apples and pears coming through from Kent and East Sussex and I hope to have these available throughout the year, gently removing imported fruits from our offering. Our breakfast fruits are in the process of becoming totally British with rhubarb from Norfolk, berries, stoned and hard fruits from Herefordshire and Kent. We have been busy in the kitchen preserving some of these fruits so we have them available during the cooler, darker months of the year, so keep an eye out for them, they are delicious. Enjoy Chef
www.thefarmersclub.com • 19
Emily Pile, Chairman; Andrew Court, Vice Chairman • Under 35s
Chairman’s Jottings And just like that, this is my last Chairman’s Jottings! I’m not quite sure where the last year has gone but I do know that I am incredibly proud of all that the U35’s Committee and I have achieved. 2023 has been a record-breaking, re-launch year for the U35s, and by the end of the year we should have hosted 26 events, a number that is unheard of in our section of membership! We would have had approximately 400 members and their guests attend events, which have varied in price ensuring there has been something for everyone.
Following on from feedback from our 2022 U35s questionnaire, I included a number of sporting and informal networking events, including tickets to see England play at Twickenham, T20 cricket at the Oval and an U35’s subsidized “free to attendees” informal networking drinks (the final one being on Thursday 30th November). All of which have been popular within the U35s! I have worked hard on making events as inclusive and friendly as possible, and I am proud that feedback throughout the year
has demonstrated this, and I am sure this will continue next year with Andrew Court at the helm. Importantly, I would like to thank him and the U35’s Committee for their support over the last year. My final dinner will be held on Friday 24th November and I hope to celebrate the year’s successes with as many of you as possible. As always, please do join the U35s Facebook group where you will also find a link to an U35s WhatsApp group run by the Committee advertising all our events.
Emily Pile BSc (Hons) MSc MRICS • Under 35s Chair 2023 c/o The Farmers Club • 020 7930 3557 • generaloffice@thefarmersclub.com
Wheat to Wine Being a Vineyard Manager may sound like an entirely glamorous profession, but behind the façade of wine tastings and ‘research trips’ to vineyards around the world, there is plenty of hard work at play. My family and I planted Lokkelebery Vineyard in May 2022 at our Hertfordshire farm. A love for wine has been a family passion for many years, with the dream of a vineyard not far behind. With the changing tides of the current climate and our continued desire to diversify our business, the time came to make the dream a reality.
rewarding, not least because we edge ever closer to our first bottle! We aim to produce still rosé for the premium market, as well as white and rosé sparkling wine. Still Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are on the cards.
Months of analysis and soil preparation set us in excellent stead. The 6ha vineyard is extremely vigorous this year, with the main task being to manage the vine canopy and straighten the trunks for pruning. Since the vines are still young, they are yet too fragile for machinery, so we do almost all work by hand with the help of trained local volunteers and occasionally a professional labour team.
While we await the wine, we work on sharing our story through tours, events and open days, which we balance between our cereals harvest in the summer months – never a dull moment as they say! With a minimum of two years to go, we have plenty of time to get to grips with viticulture, and who knows, perhaps squeeze in a few more of those much needed ‘research trips’ too.
Working on the vines between managing the rest of our farm business has been extremely busy yet
Hannah Buisman Farmer & Manager at Lokkelebery Vineyard
20 • The Farmers Club Autumn 2023
Under 35s • Emily Pile, Chairman; Andrew Court, Vice Chairman
Knepp Park Visit
Defying the train strikes, the U35’s had a fascinating day out at Knepp Estate in the sun at the beginning of September. Once intensively farmed, over twenty years ago the land became a pioneering rewilding project. Polly Martin reports Our visit started with a safari tour, led by Adam, a local ecologist who volunteers at the site. His passion for the project was matched by his knowledge, and as a group of farmers he was questioned intensely. We were lucky enough to see many of the animals that had been brought in, from Long Horned Cattle to Exmoor Ponies, some of whom had ancestors who would have roamed the area as recently as the 1800’s. Others were introduced to replicate the activity of those now extinct or tightly controlled by the government - free-roaming bison are a way off! The way that the animals were used to manage and control the landscape was evident; Adam pointed out areas the horses had chosen to focus on as their pasture land, trees pruned to deer height and patchy areas of scrubland with Oak trees already emerging. The speed of the rewilding was a surprise to us all. As were the delightful tea and brownies, made by
a local business on site, we received mid trip! After the safari we heard an excellent lecture by U35’s member Molly Biddell, the Head of Natural Capital for the estate. The understanding of the project’s potential and wider rollout was ambitious but also realistic, understanding the importance of farmers for mass food production in the UK. The ways we can use rewilding for profit were diverse and long term, and showed there are plenty of applicable opportunities for farmers. The importance of balance was emphasised throughout. We overran on our allocated time at Knepp, reflecting the enjoyment and interest we all had, and Knepp were kind enough to indulge us. We left having had our eyes opened to a different type of use for agricultural land. Polly Martin, U35s member
www.thefarmersclub.com • 21
The Farmers Club • Club Information
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
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The Festive Period • The Club will semi-close to members on Friday 22nd December at 12noon. • Only pre-booked bedrooms will be available from Friday 22nd December until Sunday 31st December.
VICE-CHAIRMAN Richard Maunder
• No food and beverage will be available during this period.
HONORARY TREASURER Christopher Riddle
• For those lucky enough to be successful in the Black Tie New Year’s Eve ballot we will see you on NYE. Details will be sent to you in due course.
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN John Lee OBE DL CHIEF EXECUTIVE & CLUB SECRETARY Didi Wheeler
• The Club will re-open fully on Tuesday 2nd January at 3pm and all food and beverage services will resume.
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.
NEXT ISSUE The next issue of The Farmers Club Journal, due with members early in February 2024.
22 • The Farmers Club Autumn 2023
PRIZE DRAW For those that return their key card holder with keys inside, we will enter your name into a monthly prize draw.
Club Information • The Farmers Club Deaths
Function Rooms
It is with regret that we announce the death of the following members: Mr P Brice
Sussex
Mr S Brice
Kent
Mr P Couper
New Zealand
Mr P Dunkley
Worcestershire
Mr N Geach Mr G Halfhead Mr J Inverarity CBE Mr J Martin CBE
Devon Lincolnshire Angus
If you are looking to book a function at The Club, contact functions@thefarmersclub.com or call our Conference & Banqueting Sales Manager on 020 7925 7100, who will be delighted to assist.
Club Contacts THE FARMERS CLUB
Serving the farming industry for over 180 years 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EL
Cambridgeshire
Mr J Nielsen
Somerset
Mr R Parker
Somerset
Mr G Paul
Suffolk
Mr J Powling
Norfolk
Mr R Rogers
Kent
Mr R Steele OBE
Worcestershire
Mr J Stobo CBE DL
Berwickshire
Mr P Westrope
Suffolk
Mr R Wood
Cheshire
Have you ordered your Club Christmas cards yet? Please call The Club to place your Christmas card order.
Chairman 2023: Meurig Raymond CBE DL
Chief Executive & Club Secretary: Didi Wheeler
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
Paying On Departure
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.
AS PER CLUB RULE 32 ‘all expenses incurred by members with The Club shall be paid by them before they leave The Club premises’. If you visit The Club, please ensure you settle your account before you leave. Thank you.
www.thefarmersclub.com • 23
New Friday Dress Code started on 1st September 2023 “SMART CASUAL” DRESS CODE NOW APPLIES ALL DAY, EVERY FRIDAY. This means that: You can now come for Lunch or Dinner in smart casual dress on a Friday. You can hold meetings in The Club on a Friday without dress code worries. You don’t need to pack a jacket and tie for a weekend stay. You don’t need to arrive late on a Friday to avoid the jacket and tie rule! You can arrive in weekend mode and immediately relax and unwind in the Lounge, Bar, Shaw Room and on The Terrace. You can now arrive earlier for your Friday night drinks!
… d e v i r r a e v a h s Relaxed Friday Smart Casual Dress Code; includes smart denim jeans and sports trainers. Please note that ripped jeans, shorts and plastic beach flip-flops are not allowed at any point.