Stalham's links with New Zealand -
Our roving ambassador in New Zealand Tim Papworth spotted this surprisingly link with the home country. It seems that wherever one goes, a Stalham Farmers’ Club connection is not too far away.
While visiting a farm on the South Island, near Christchurch, Tim saw an unusual fuel bowser – some 12,000 miles from its former home at College Farm, Happisburgh. And yes, the name of its former owner, Cubitt Siely Harvesting can also been seen on its side. Maybe those with sharper eyes can read the telephone number on it.
An enterprising New Zealander Robert Pooler, of Atlas Agriculture, imported a container of assorted machinery, which included this fuel bowser, several years ago. And another Norfolk link, Helen, who is Robert's wife, runs Atlas Trailers. She hails orignally from Groveland Farm, Felbrigg, where her parents Brian and Janet Filby farmed and ran a highly-successful pedigree British Simmental herd for many years until heading to the southern hemisphere to Australia. Among the slightly more unusual crops grown on his farm - organic malting barley leaf and organic kale for drying and adding to health foods. Would there be a market for dried kale as a health food back home?
But in the more recent past, he was one of the first to import the first air drills into New Zealand including a number originally supplied by William Randell, another Stalham member.
Clearly, a small world indeed. (See Tim Papworth's photograph of the Siely fuel bowser on the farm in Darfield, South Island, New Zealand can be found in the Gallery Entry added: 18 Feb 2026 |
Special funding for skills training - A total of £50,000 has been made available by the Morley Agricultural Foundation for skills training - from BASIS, FACTS or courses which might support skills development. It is being administered by the Royal Norfolk Agricultual Association, so for an informal chat, contact Andrew Davies on 01603 748931 or email andrew.davies@rnaa.org.uk The Morley Agricultural Bursary Scheme is there to help all those wishing to develop their career in farming or science. It might include attending courses run by the Worshipful Company of Farmers or other organisations. Entry added: 18 Feb 2026 |
Dinner tickets selling fast - Applications for tickets for the club's annual dinner should be made to the secretary sooner rather than later. Already more than half the tickets have been booked. There's a limit of 120 at the Salhouse Lodge on Wednesday, March 25, when the trophies and prize cards will be presented by the BBC's health editor Hugh Pym. Tickts cost £42, please apply to the secretary - michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com or text 07852 718342. All requests wil be acknowledged. Entry added: 12 Feb 2026 |
New president elected - Welcome to a new club president. Sir William Cubitt was elected at the 184th annual meeting and was nominated by the retiring president, George Gay. Sir William's family have been involved with the club through the successive generations since 1841, when the club was founded. A new chairman, Jason Cantrill was elected as well as William Love as vice-chairman. See full report - Meetings and Reports, (left)
Entry added: 12 Feb 2026 |
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. Entry added: 15 Jan 2026 |
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. Entry added: 15 Jan 2026 |
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.
Entry added: 10 Jan 2026 |
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.
Entry added: 05 Jan 2026 |
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.
Entry added: 30 Dec 2025 |
Christmas greetings- Carole Jacques, headteacher at Earlham Nursery School, sent this message to Stalham's members for the total donations amounting to £830, including match funding from Aviva. "Thank you. It is fantastic and well make a huge difference to what we can offer our members! Please thank all of your members for their very generous donations, once we have decided how we will spend the money I will let you know so you can pass this onto your members.
Wishing a very happy Christmas."
Entry added: 15 Dec 2025 |