Landwards Summer 2022
Editor’s Welcome
What a difference a few months makes? Whilst writing the last edition we were furrowing our brows at the cost of electricity and inflation, and now sadly we are watching war unfold.
Given the human tragedy we are witnessing it seems trite to mention that food and farming is coming firmly back into the public eye, perhaps better to consider being generous and clicking on this link https:// donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal . Your humble correspondent is working his way through a recent book called Farming month by month from 1943(!) and he was drawn to this part “Few of the townsfolk, who admire the scenery from car or train windows, realize what the country would look like if left to its own devices, and care little that the farmer has to make great sacrifices and efforts to feed the people of the towns. It is only at times of national crisis that they realize the importance of home-produced foods and clamour for the farmer.” Whilst the terminology is not perhaps how one would write today, the sentiment perhaps is.
Our role as agricultural engineers is to support farmers, the land-based sector and society at large with technologies and solutions. Let’s not forget it. This summer edition welcomes a new President (p8 and 12). We also say goodbye to some great friends of the Institution (p22), acknowledge well-deserved award winners (p16), and enjoy some time with international manufacturers. I trust that there is something for every reader in this edition. As ever please let me know if you have any suggestions for future editions.
Andy Newbold Editor andy@farm-smart.co.uk
Reunion of past students of the National College of Agricultural Engineering There is a reunion of past students and partners who attended the National College of Agricultural Engineering at Silsoe Bedford, intake years 1 to 7, and also staff members during those years (1962-1968).
Where: The Cross Keys Restaurant, 13 High Street, Pulloxhill, Bedfordshire. MK45 5HB. When: Thursday, June 30 2022 Time: starting at 11am for refreshments followed by a buffet lunch (1pm) and a rendition of Silsoe ‘Then and now ‘and ‘What I did after Silsoe’. Lunch: buffet lunch £25 per person with drinks extra. Please RSVP: Paul Baskerville: phbaskerville@yahoo.co.uk and Graham Thompstone: graham.thompstone@gmail.com with the following information: 1.Confirmation that you will attend the event with your payment for the lunch to Graham. 2. BACS payment to: Rainsbury House: sort code 20-68-15 account number 73847152 with a transfer reference the year you started Silsoe and your surname (e.g, 66Thompstone - Note this is a business account.) 4
