A “behind the scenes” briefing at the Wymondham headquarters of Norfolk Constabulary was much appreciated by members of Stalham Farmers’ Club.
The visit by an 18-strong group follows a talk almost exactly a year ago by Ch Insp Lou Provart, who had outlined Norfolk's rural crime strategy.
Members were welcomed by DC Andy Brown, who is well-known in the farming community for his dedication to Operation Randall, the crime-fighting initiative.
The use of new technology, drones, was also outlined by one of his colleagues. Two types are used, which have proved to be very cost-effective and help to gather evidence for use in prosecutions. And more recently, drones even assisted with monitoring crowds at Carrow Road.
With a flying time of about 30 minutes and capable of speeds of up to 40mph, they have been used with success to track criminal gangs hare coursing.
Jack Askew then outlined the challenges facing the control room team. It takes about five weeks to train the mainly civilian staff to handle calls plus another three weeks to master the radio control system. He said that about a quarter of calls related to mental health issues. Experts in drug and alcohol abuse and also mental health nurses were also on hand to help callers respond. All calls are graded, A to D, with the target of getting a police presence for an A-call within 7.5 minutes.
Mr Askew also revealed that a new “Smart Storm” system will further assist the control room team to prioritise calls. And, a multi-agency control room was gradually taking shape and Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service was moving from nearby Hethersett to share the same site.
It was a fascinating visit and Nick Deane thanked the police team for their time in briefing the group.
On Wednesday, March 14 at the club’s annual dinner, Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Green will be speaking and presenting the trophies and prize certificates.
Entry added: 03 Nov 2017 |
Opening meeting - Wednesday, November 15, Chris Durdin. Wildlife on the doorstep at Norfolk's newest nature reserve. Supper at the Norfolk Mead Hotel about 6.30pm, meeting at 7.30pm.
Natural wonders on the edge of the city - A welcome return to naturalist Chris Durdin, of Honeyguide Wildlife Holidays, who will launch our autumn programme on Wednesday, November 15 at the Norfolk Mead Hotel. He will be talking about wildlife on his doorstep atone of the newest nature reserves in Norfolk, right on the edge of the city. Chris, who co-wrote the The Norfolk Cranes'Story published in 2011 and talked to members about these distinctive birds, lives just yards from Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Thorpe Marshes. He has some great photographs of the assorted flora, fauna and other types of 'frequent fliers' including butterflies and dragonflies. And just to tempt you further afield, he may sneak in a few photographs of some extraordinary wildlife often seen by his clients in some of the loveliest regions of Europe.
Join Chris and our chairman, Jonathan, for supper beforehand, from about 6pm, ahead of the meeting at 7.30pm. Details of the menu will be circulated soon.
Entry added: 31 Oct 2017 |
As the autumn programme takes shape, the first meeting will be an early evening tour of Norfolk Police headquarters at Wymondham on Wednesday, November 1. Please note the date in your diary and details will be announced soon. However, numbers will be limited.
And, there is also the opportunity to join the inter-club quiz at Easton & Otley College on Monday, October 30. Anyone who would like to join a Stalham team would be most welcome. Please let the secretary know.
The season's first indoor meeting at the Norfolk Mead will be on Wednesday, November 15 - speaker to be confirmed.
Then Prof Keith Waldron, who has been leading research into adding value into farm wastes, will be speaking on Wednesday, December 13.
Our annual joint meeting with Norfolk Young Farmers' Clubs takes place on Wednesday, January 10 when award-winning dairy farmer Emily Norton will be speaking.
The annual meeting takes place on Wednesday, February 14 (again, speaker to be confirmed) and the club's annual dinner is a month later at the Norfolk Mead Hotel on Wednesday, March 14. The guest speaker will be Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner, Lorne Green.
Apologies for the delay in sending out the programme.
Entry added: 05 Oct 2017 |
Norfolk Young Farmers are looking for someone to fill their Competitions co-ordinator role. So if you know of someone who might be interested then please let them know. There is an advert going to press and a copy is in the young farmers section of this website on the left. Entry added: 14 Sep 2017 |
Whole crop beet entries, please.
Entries for the latest whole beet crop competition are now invited. The club's longstanding judge, Ken Matthews will be inspecting whole crops in the last week of August. Entries, please, to the secretary by Monday, August 28 at the very latest. A map showing the field, size and location, with nearest road access, would be appreciated - to the secretary michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com There is no entry fee and the single field must be at least 10 acres. The best two-acre will be judged in September or early October.
Entry added: 08 Aug 2017 |
Record potato entries -
A record dozen entries were judged in the Stalham Farmers' Club's annual potato competition. For the second year, almost every member had entered a different variety. From Clippesby to Catfield and from Happisburgh to Honing, the task was "challenging" as 11 different varieties had to be considered by Greenvale's senior agronomist Denis Walsh. The fields entered ranged from Royal to Russet Burbank and from Desiree to Daisy and Markies to Rooster. And when it came to the final weighing of the crops, there was barely half a mark between the top half dozen places. Mr Walsh was impressed by the overall quality of the processing varieties, which showed great promise.
The results will be announced at the club's annual dinner and prize-giving on Wednesday, March 14.
Entry added: 08 Aug 2017 |
Potato Cup and grain samples - Entries for the club's annual competition are invited. Denis Walsh, of Greenvale, will be judging crops on Monday, August 7. Please send details of the field, location, variety and how to access the field to the secretary. A map would be handy and also a contact number. There is no entry fee. Details to michaelbpollitt@b tinternet.com
And grain samples would also be appreciated. Please reserve a sample - again there is no charge for entries.
Entry added: 21 Jul 2017 |
A church in the heart of Broadland, St Peter's, Brunstead, which was given a new lease of life by a former club president, Roger Beck, has just been re-ridged at a cost of £12,000.
Full story - in The Club's Officers, see left-hand column.
Entry added: 12 Jul 2017 |
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 |