Congratulations to the Tallowin family - Wildlife thrives alongside food production at an award-winning Broadland farm. Willow Farm, Hickling, was the winner of the 2025 Ian MacNicol Memorial Trophy, awarded by Norfolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group. The annual competition recognises best conservation practice with commercial food production.
James Tallowin, and his father John, incidentally both members of Stalham Farmers’ Club, were congratulated for nurturing “an amazing array of wildlife” on the family farm, which adjoins one of Norfolk’s largest broads.
In the last 20 years, 180 bird species have been recorded, 11 bat species and 650 types of moth. The 230ha farm is mainly arable and includes one of the country’s top performing poultry units producing
80,000 broiler chickens.
There has also been significant investment in roof-mounted solar panels with 120Kw capacity on poultry housing, 200kw battery storage and also a 550kw biomass boiler. Full story and photographs, see EDP online, Friday, June 12.
Entry added: 12 Jun 2026 |
Club's farm visit - A handful of places, literally, are still available for the club's farm walk to the Kelling Hall estate, which is organised with East Norfolk branch of the National Farmers' Union. A total of 92 places have been booked out of a maximum 100 for Tuesday evening's tour, starting at 5.30pm prompt. Text the secretary on 07852 718342 or email michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com as soon as possible. All requests will be acknowledged. Entry added: 12 Jun 2026 |
Estate's blooming fields - A sea of poppies on a north Norfolk estate is making headlines on the BBC's website on Friday, May 29. Members of Stalham Farmers' Club and East Norfolk branch of the National Farmers'
Union are visiting the Kelling Hall estate, near Holt, on Tuesday, June 16. The tractor-and-trailer tour has been organised by club chairman Jason Cantrill following the invitation by the Widdowson family.. There has been keen demand for places on the visit, which starts promptly from 5.30pm. As numbers for the tour and hog roast supper are strictly limited, don't leave it too late to apply. Already almost 40 places have been booked.
BBC Weather Watcher Alan Percy, who goes by the name Walking Tractor, said it was one of the best poppy fields he had ever seen. He said: "I was on the Coasthopper bus to Wells-next-the-Sea on bank holiday monday
- a boiling hot day - and looked behind me and noticed this sea of red in the distance."
The conservation theme will form part of the focus of the visit. Meet at the estate yard, NR25 7EW. Let the secretary know - michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com or text 07852 718342. All requests will be acknowledged.
And don't forget the revived clay pigeon shoot against Holt & District Farmers' Club on Friday, July 3. A 40-bird sporting shoot followed by supper at the King's Head, Letheringsett. Details from Jason Cantrill or the secretary, Michael Pollitt. All welcome to shoot or join the supper.
Entry added: 29 May 2026 |
Down memory lane - Half a century ago, members of North Walsham Young Farmers’ Club were photographed raising funds for charity.
One photograph in the Nostalgia feature in the Eastern Daily Press (April 11, 2026) has caused much interest especially to Stalham Farmers’ Club members. The photograph is in the Gallery on the left.
On April 23, 1976, young farmers were en route to Brighton with the aim of raising £1,000 (£6,838 today) for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
Thanks to detective work (and a good memory) by Mary Beck, Tim Papworth and Mandy Sands, and help from a number of other former YFC members, it has been possible to identify those taking part in the sponsored barrow push.
From left, Maurice Quantrill, Pip Roney (with pipe), Jane Garrod, Peter Fisher (half hidden), David Tann (right), Penny Bones and front, Mary Beck. Two spectators on the right, one wearing dark glasses, Billy Tann with Freda Tann.
Behind the barrow, Judy Beck is standing next to the driver of her horse lorry. It is likely that Alan Beck was at the wheel with co-driver Andrew Sands.
Peter Beck was then a great supporter and fund-raiser for the Guide Dogs. Entry added: 12 Apr 2026 |
Breakfast in the Bure – Tuesday, April 21 (9am to 11am) - This first “Breakfast in the Bure” is an opportunity to chat and enjoy a good hearty breakfast – no agenda, no presentations.
For farmers and farm staff, join Norfolk FWAG for a free breakfast at Hirst’s Farm Shop & Café , Ormesby St Margaret NR29 3LE.
The event is supported by Great Yarmouth Borough Council. The organisers request that a maximum of three attend. To register go to breakfast-in-the-bure.eventbrite.co.uk
Entry added: 09 Apr 2026 |
Annual dinner success - What a great occasion. Almost 120 members and guests of Stalham Farmers’ Club attended the annual dinner at the Salhouse Lodge. The guest speaker Hugh Pym, who is the BBC’s health editor, spoke of the challenges facing the NHS and also revealed that he supports Scotland’s rugby team. Wisely, he made just brief reference to England’s 31-20 defeat at Murrayfield in last month’s Calcutta Cup. He was loudly applauded for his speech and then presented the club’s awards and trophies. Speech report - see under the minutes and reports tab on the left. Entry added: 28 Mar 2026 |
Stalham’s triumph - Stalham regained the inter-club malting barley championship with a sample of Maris Otter, grown by Milligen McLeod Contracting, while William Love, of Walcott Farms, was presented with the Cantley Cup for best performance in the latest beet campaign. Martin Jensen, chairman of Holt & District Farmers’ Club received the reserve champion prize card on behalf of Andrew Ross, of Houghton St Giles, who had entered a sample of Buccaneer. Entry added: 28 Mar 2026 |
Dinner memories – Almost 100 photographs of members and guests were taken by Simon Finlay at the Salhouse Lodge. All the prize winners are also pictured. See the Photo Gallery on the left Entry added: 28 Mar 2026 |
Farming's challenge - Jonathan Pye, who stood down at the end of his two-year term as chairman, highlighted the importance of the club as the agricultural industry faces major challnges. IIn his thoughtful analysis, he suggested that the role of the country's oldest farmers'
club has become even more vital. He also briefly summarised the club's activities in the past year and passed the David Ritchie's chairman's gavel to his successor, Jason Cantrill. Entry added: 28 Mar 2026 |
Fond farewell to Fran Baugh – St Michael & All Angels Church, Barton Turf, was packed as around 400 mourners attended a service of thanksgiving for the life of popular club member Fran Baugh, on Thursday, February 26. It was an uplifting service, led by the Rev Ben Bradshaw, with a reflection given by the Rev Neville Khambatta. The family and friends theme included personal memories by her husband Louis, Alison Ritchie and Jayne Thornalley. Two of Fran’s Godchildren, Russell Corfield and Helen Baines also contributed. Donations were invited in Fran’s memory to The Big C or for Bob, the gardener, who will run the Brighton Marathon for Pancreatic Cancer UK. Go to JustGiving website, “Bob Cutter.” A brief service of committal had been held earlier in the day with interment on the family’s Neatishead Hall farm. Entry added: 28 Feb 2026 |