Early blackcurrant harvest - One of the earliest starts was made at Stokesby, explained Ed Wharton, who welcomed more than 60 members of Stalham Farmers' club and the East Norfolk NFU branch on a glorious summer's evening. The first fruit of his 200 acres of currants - destined for Ribena - had been picked earlier that day - a week earlier than usual. He had three harvesters, which could each pick about five acres a day but the window of opportunity was narrow because the fruit ripened rapidly in hot weather. After a two-hour tractor and trailer ride, the party returned for a gammon roast supper served by Richard and Debbie Lilwall. Jonathan Deane, chairman, who responded on behalf of the guests, noted that there were 11 enterprises on the farm including about 25 acres of mint - or maybe 12 if a stray ewe and her twin lambs were included! He presented £400 to Mr Wharton on behalf of the Norfolk superheroes charity from the club and the NFU branch.
Entry added: 04 Jul 2017 |
Top trophy - Congratulations to Norfolk's champion farmers, Richard Hirst and his son Robert - both keen members of the club.
Hirst Farms has won the Norfolk County Farm Business Competition, which is run and organised by the Aylsham Agricultural Show Association.
The family enterprise at Ormesby, near Great Yarmouth, qualified for the supreme final in last year's competition.
Now Mr Hirst will welcome members of the association to the traditional farm walk and presentation of prizes on Wednesday, July 12 at 6pm at Mill Farm, North Road, Ormesby NR29 3LE. Please let the secretary know if you'd like to attend - this will help with the arrangements. Entry added: 26 Jun 2017 |
Final reminder -
And a final reminder, if you'd like to join the club's annual farm walk b y invitation of Ed Wharton at family at Winsford Hall, Stokesby, on Monday, July 3, please let the secretary or Christopher Deane at the NFU know as soon as possible. The walk starts at 5pm for 5.15pm.
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Entry added: 26 Jun 2017 |
Calling all guns. Stalham members are invited to take part in the annual match against Holt & District Farmers' Club on Thursday, June 22 at the Mid-Norfolk Shooting School at Taverham. It starts from 5pm - and is a 50-bird shoot, including steak pie and trimmings for £22.50. Steak pie only £8.50. To help with numbers, could you let the secretary know by mid-week, ie June 15 please. Telephone 01603 486997 or michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com
And numbers please for the farm walk and supper by invitation of Ed Wharton and family at Winsford Hall, Stokesby, on Monday, July 3. Meet at 5pm for prompt start at 5.15pm. This is a joint event with East Norfolk branch of the National Farmers' Union. Numbers are limited, so please let the secretary Michael Pollitt or Christopher Deane at the NFU office if you'd like to attend. To assist with the catering and supper, an early indication of numbers would be much appreciated.
Entry added: 09 Jun 2017 |
A service of thanksgiving for the life of John Purling, former Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association chief executive until 2012, will be held at Norwich Cathedral on Monday, May 15 at 1.30pm. A long-standing member of the club, he also served as a committee member for many years. The RNAA will also carry a tribute and obituary on its website later this week. For full obituary - Go to John's Page under the Club's Officers. Entry added: 03 May 2017 |
The late John Purling: The Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association announced today: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of John Purling, former chief executive of the RNAA. John, who had served between 1994 and 2012, remained an honorary vice president and member of the RNAA Council. He died suddenly and unexpectedly at home yesterday (Friday, April 28) afternoon.
A full tribute will be published next week on the RNAA's website. Greg Smith, chief executive, added: "In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and many close friends at this sad time."
John was also a long-standing club member and had served on the committee for several years.
Entry added: 29 Apr 2017 |
Wish Tim Papworth good luck as he joins a select field for the Only the Brave "Five-mile tough Mudder" at Elveden on Saturday, April 1. Enthusiastic fund-raisers will be braving the mud and muck for the East Anglian Air Ambulance. If you'd like to support Tim's efforts - donate through Just Giving - www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Tim-Papworth1 Members will recall that the 175th anniversary summer party raised a total of £2,000 for the charity, which was presented to Sir William Cubitt, who is chairman of the charity and of course, a Stalham member. Entry added: 28 Mar 2017 |
The latest photos from the 175th dinner taken by Lee Blanchflower at the Mead Coltishall on 15/3/17 are now arailable to view under the 175th Year page on the left hand tab. Entry added: 27 Mar 2017 |
Major opportunities ahead for farming - A major opportunity to expand the horticultural and plant-growing sector beckoned in a post-Brexit world, said a leading Norfolk farmer and landowner. Sir Nicholas Bacon, chairman of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, said that Britain currently imported £1.1bn of trees, plants and horticultural products but only exported £50m each year.
As president of the Royal Horticultural Society, he told about 120 members of Stalham Farmers’ Club at its 175th anniversary dinner at the Norfolk Mead Hotel, Coltishall, of this major market opportunity on the doorstep.
See Club report section, left. Entry added: 18 Mar 2017 |
Congratulations. Prize cards and trophies were presented at the 175th annual dinner by the guest speaker, Sir Nicholas Bacon to the winners of the club’s competitions.
A total of 118 members and guests enjoyed a three-course meal at the Norfolk Mead Hotel, Coltishall. After a stimulating address, Sir Nicholas, who is chairman of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, presented trophies to members.
The Cantley Cup, which recognises the best overall sugar beet performance by a member, went to the club’s vice-chairman Henry Alston, of Billockby Hall. For the first time in the 89-year history of the trophy, all members were eligible for the prestigious trophy. The runner-up was Jonathan Gill, of E Jones & partners and third, CN Beck & Sons; fourth, Milligen McLeod and fifth Whitwell Hall Farms (Andrew Morton).
2016 Potato Cup, judge Denis Walsh - 1 Nova Scotia Farms; 2 HBS Farms; 3 Robin Baines & Co.
Cereals, judge Chris Borrett of Adams & Howling. Wheat - 1 Milligen McLeod (Invicta); 2 LF Papworth (Leeds); 3 HBS Farms (Costello).
Barley - 1 Walcott Farms (Maris Otter); 2 Milligen McLeod (Maris Otter); 3 Nova Scotia Farms (Maris Otter).
Sugar beet
Whole Crop, 2016, judge Ken Matthews - 1 GA Tallowin & Co; 2 CN Beck & Sons; 3 Andrew Alston.
Best two-acre, 2016 - 1 Milligen McLeod; 2 Andrew Alston; 3 HBS Farms.
Ten-pin bowls – presented to Charlie Lockhart.
The club's chairman Jonathan Deane thanked the judges and especially British Sugar's area manager Sarah Bebb for her help with the beet competitions.
Entry added: 16 Mar 2017 |