NEWS
Brunstead sign back after seven years. It was a night raid in late July
2018 when thieves unscrewed the distinctive metal sign, featuring a drag rake, a horse and farmworker smoking a pipe, from the private drive to Hall Farm, and St Peter’s Church. It was returned to Alan Beck by Andy Whitmell, of Grimsby, who bought it at a sale for £80 in September last year. Almost half the 65-strong community turned out to watch the sign’s return. Full story – See Newsletters and notes tab on the left. [08/12/25]
Let’s hear the music – It was 75 years ago that composer Ernest John
(EJ) Moeran died on December 1 in Ireland. Born in 1894, he had strong links with east Norfolk and after serving in the Norfolk Regiment as a motorcycle despatch rider during the First World War, he revived his composition skills. In September 1921, while at Bacton, he published the piano piece Stalham River. In the same year, he heard Catfield farmworker Harry Cox singing at the Windmill, Sutton. He was so impressed that he included several songs into the Folk-Song Journal, 1923.
Jack was the second son of the Rev Joseph William Moeran, who had become vicar of Salhouse with Wroxham in 1905. His grandfather, Thomas Warner Moeran was the incumbent at Bacton for almost 40 years from 1873 to 1912, when he retired aged 90. [08/12/25]
Thanks for club’s donation – Head teacher Carole Jacques, who spoke to members at last month’s meeting, has thanked Stalham Farmers’ Club for a donation worth £500 to the Earlham Community Shop. The donation included match-funding by Aviva. Carole, who runs the Earlham Nursery School, highlighted the challenges faced by children and parents on one of Norwich’s long-established estates. [08/12/25]
Two speakers start winter season - Two speakers with fascinating presentations kicked off the club’s winter season. Almost 50 members including a large number of guests were at Wroxham Barns. Carole Jacques, headteacher of Earlham Nursery School, gave a 15-minute summary of the challenge to educate children on a severely economically disadvantaged estate in Norwich. Then Sir William Cubitt described the fate of the 2,000 men from Norfolk serving in the Far East taken prisoner by the Japanese Imperial Army. It was a harrowing account but fortunately, his father, Lt Tom Cubitt, of the 5th Battn, Royal Norfolk Regiment, survived. More than 630 Royal Norfolks did not and died in captivity. Full story – See Minutes and report (Left) [14/11/25]
Challenging times for key Norfolk crops – Prospects for sugar beet and malting barley have both featured in recent interviews on the latest BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today programme.
Sugar beet – Kit Papworth, chair of NFU Sugar, explained the details of the new growers’ contract for next year’s campaign. Although details had been announced in late August, Anna Hill was briefed on the choices faced by beet growers as the Cantley factory had just started its latest processing campaign.
Members are also invited to enter the club’s annual competitions for best whole crop and also the two-acre. It is hoped to judge entries in the next few weeks. To date, two entries have been received. Thank you.
Details to the secretary, michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com or text 07852 718342.
And a self-confessed malting barley enthusiast, committee member Chris Borrett, of grain merchants Adams & Howling was interviewed on Thursday’s programme with Rebecca Gee, grain procurement director of the Great Ryburgh-based Crisp Malting Group. As listeners heard when a lorry was tipping its load of malting barley at the maltings, Chris was able to identify the variety, Flagon, by its colour. This impressed presenter Anna Hill, who suggested that this was almost Nerd-like!
On a more serious note, Mr Borrett said that growers faced on-going price pressures for their crops going forward. But as a county recognised for growing quality malting barley, he suggested that there was a long-term future for the crop although many farmers had reduced their planting this season because of lower prices, partly caused by a global glut.
And, again members have been reminded of the club’s annual grain competitions. Samples of barley and wheat may be bought to the club’s next meeting on Wednesday, November 12 at Wroxham Barns.
To listen again to the Farming Today interviews, go to BBC Sounds – Kit Papworth (Wednesday, October 22, Radio 4 5.50am).
Chris Borrett (Thursday, October 23, Radio 4, 5.53am)
And there’s a full report of the visit to the Norfolk Fire & Rescue Station at Carrow on Tuesday, October 21 on the club’s website with photographs by William Randell.
[23/10/25]