NEWS
New year, new members. A warm welcome to five new members of Stalham Farmers’ Club – husband and wife Jo and Jamie Bennison, Peter Medler, who is running operations at Billockby Hall Farms for Henry Alston, Joe Buxton, of the East Norfolk National Farmers’ Union branch, and Gordon Paice, who joined Ed Wharton based at Stokesby. New members always welcome to join the country’s oldest farmers’ club. [15/01/26]
A welcome return for club member and industry leader Emily Norton. It was eight years ago that she addressed mmbers as she was about to start her 2018 Nuffield Farming Scholarship. Almost six months ago, on June 1, she became chair of the Agricultural & Horticultural Development Board. It has a budget of about £50m, paid by farmers and food processors, and employs some 370 staff. Although notionally working just two days a week, she has thrown herself into the challenge of helping the industry survive and prosper in these challenging times. For full report – See the Meetings report tab on the left. [15/01/26]
Memorable farm visit - A memorable visit to one of the country’s largest tractor collections was made by members in June 2006 by invitation of the late Paul Rackham. After lunch at the Angel, Larling, a tour of the impressive beef enterprise on the 1,800-acre mainly arable Manor Farm, Bridgham, was a further highlight. Members were briefed by Philip Dale, which included a welfare-friendly cattle handling system. A chance to look at the 200 or so vintage and veteran tractors, which had been acquired and repaired by Mr Rackham since his first purchase in 1951 of an International Farmall for £250 was appreciated. In total, the collection had expanded to about 600 tractors, including 73 Fergusons bought from John Moffat. They sold for more than £2m in 2015.
Suffolk-born Mr Rackham, who won a place at the new Norfolk College of Agriculture at the age of 14, made, lost and re-made fortunes over his hugely successful career. When he started Thetford-based Anti-Waste and Waste Recycling in the early 1980s, the group was later sold for £500m in 2003. Mr Rackham, who died on Wednesday, January 7, aged 89, is survived by his wife, Sheila, and four children including son Paul.
Private family funeral.
[10/01/26]
Industry leader to meet fellow members - An opportunity to hear from an industry leader, Emily Norton, tops the agenda for the club’s opening meeting of 2026.
Emily, chair of the AHDB (Agriculture Horticultural Development Board) will be speaking on Wednesday, January 14 at Wroxham Barns NR12 8QU.
Join the chairman, Jonathan Pye for supper beforehand. Meet from 6pm, the meal will be served at 6.25pm with the business meeting from 7.30pm.
All members and guests are welcome to join the supper and meet the speaker or just come to the meeting.
Supper, which costs £20 must be booked beforehand, please let the secretary know – michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com text 07852 718342 or telephone 01603 486997 by Tuesday, January 13 at 10am at the latest.
All requests will be acknowledged – if you don’t hear from me, I’ve not received it.
The meal - Roast breast of chicken, with red onion mash, Stilton and mushroom cream sauce and seasonal veg. Then Bakewell tart and custard As the levy board is funded by members, farmers and growers, this is your opportunity to hear from the chair. All are welcome.
[05/01/26]
Special anniversary programme – Two Norfolk farmers including a keen member of Stalham Farmers’ Club were among the stars of a special BBC Radio 4 programme on Saturday morning at 6.30pm. Anna Hill, one of the presenters of Radio 4’s Farming Today, marked her 30th anniversary with highlights from the past three decades. This included interviewing Broadland farmer Richard Hirst, of Ormesby, about growing peas – one of Anna’s favourite crops. Potatoes were included with a brief clip from Kit Papworth, although now better known for his NFU Sugar expertise.
Anna, who joined Farming Today in 1995, after training in local radio and becoming part of the BBC’s continuity team. Norwich-based Anna won one a Radio “Oscar” with the 2001 Sony Gold Award for her On Your Farm”
programme covering the terrible flooding in Wrexham in north Wales.
Another key to her success – investing in a pair of insulated wellies.
Good luck with your next 30 years. Go to BBC Sounds, Radio 4, Farming Week, Saturday, December 27, 6.30am. Happy New Year to all our members.
[30/12/25]