The late Colin Ross. A good supporter of the club for many years and a colourful character in Norfolk's farming community, Colin James Ross, has died. A funeral service will be held at St Andrew's Church, Little Snoring, on Tuesday, December 17 at 11am. He died on Tuesday, November 26. A notice in the Eastern Daily Press adds the following details to a "wonderful and much loved husband, dad and grandad." Family flowers only, but donations may be given for Help for Heroes at the service or sent c/o Fakenham & District Funeral Services Ltd., Weasenham Manor,
PE32 2TF. Tel. (01328) 838838. Our thoughts are with his family.
Entry added: 08 Dec 2024 |
A flamboyant West Norfolk auctioneer, land agent and valuer Barry Hawkins died peacefully at his home in Downham Market on Monday, December 2, at the age of 86 after a short illness.
He thoroughly enjoyed his time as a livestock auctioneer and valuer travelling around rural Norfolk. He certainly regarded himself as a country auctioneer and although not an expert, his depth of knowledge was extensive on many aspects through his years of experience.
He leaves his wife of 64 years, Valerie and youngest son Marcus. There will be a private family service followed by a memorial thanksgiving service at a later date.
Entry added: 08 Dec 2024 |
Almost 50 members and guests heard a fascinating background briefing by an Army veterinary surgeon, Capt Emma Lane-Ley at the opening meeting of the winter season. Commissioned in 2016 into the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, her recent role had been looking after the horses in the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery involved in the late Queen’s State Funeral and also the King’s Coronation. Brought up in north Norfolk, she had done placements at Westover vets before qualifying at Nottingham University. Full meeting report – See the minutes and reports tab on the left. Entry added: 14 Nov 2024 |
Congratulations - Two member of Stalham Farmers’ Club have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the agricultural industry. Broadland farmer Nick Deane, also a former county NFU chairman, was made an associate by the Council for Awards of the Royal Agricultural Societies. Nuffield scholar Emily Norton, who is a partner in the family’s farm at Frettenham, was also made an associate at the House of Lords earlier this month. Hosted by Lord Taylor of Holbeach, the annual awards highlight individuals who have gone above and beyond, driving change in sustainable farming, supporting charities and pushing the boundaries of research and technology.
Mr Deane, of Barton Turf, was made an associate (ARAgS) for his leadership over the past two decades with water and irrigation issues.
As the current treasurer of BAWAG (Broadland Agricultural Water Abstractors Group), his contribution to highlight water related issues had been significant. Emily, who is a trustee of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, and was formerly head of rural research at Savills, was recognised her personal contribution to agriculture. A Nuffield scholar, she read law at Cambridge.
There were a total of 28 awards, including 11 Fellowships, made by the English panel on October 15, 2024. Mid-Norfolk dairy farmer Ken Proctor, of Shipdham, and the deputy president of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association Poul Hovesen, who had been made associates in 2019, were both awarded Fellowships.
The UK wide CARAS (Council of Royal Agricultural Societies) recognises distinguished achievement in agriculture and related land-based industries with an awards scheme. To date, more than 1,200 individuals have been recognised by 800 Fellows and more than 350 associates.
Photograph: CARAS. The eastern winners are featured in photo gallery.
Entry added: 18 Oct 2024 |
RNAA president and HM Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk to present club trophies – It is with great pleasure that His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Lady Dannatt MBE has accepted the invitation to address members and guests at the club’s annual dinner on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The retiring president of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association has also agreed to present the prizes at the dinner, which returns to Salhouse Lodge after the highly-successful event earlier this year. Lady Dannatt was appointed to her current role in August 2019 by the late Queen Elizabeth. Details of the dinner will be sent to members early in the New Year when invitations to apply will be requested. It is being held a week later than the provisional date sent to members earlier this month. Entry added: 16 Oct 2024 |
Loneliness of the long-distance runner – Charlie Lockhart set himself a challenge to run 100 miles in a month to raise funds for Cancer Research. And his just-giving page is still open for further donations if any member would like to support this worthy initiative. Charlie, who started as one of British Sugar’s agricultural managers in May, would admit that he is possibly a somewhat reluctant runner but he achieved his goal and has raised almost £600 for the charity. As many will know, his father, John, who was club chairman in 2005, and is living near Belvoir Castle between Nottingham and Grantham, was treated for cancer last year. Charlie, who lives near Oulton Broad, found the discipline of a daily run a challenge at first but soon got into the swing of it. Now, he looks after beet contracts from Lowestoft to Stalham, he intends to join the club.
http://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/charless-giving-page-234 Entry added: 11 Oct 2024 |
Welcome to the 2024 winter season of Stalham Farmers’ Club.
We meet at Wroxham Barns NR12 8QU for supper with the chairman Jon Pye.
All members are invited to supper and welcome the evening’s speaker from 6pm, with the meal served about 6.30pm. The meetings starts about 7.30pm.
If you’d like to come to supper, please let the secretary know by 10am on the Monday (two days before) because meals have to be booked. All requests will be acknowledged.
Members are most welcome to bring a guest or partner – the more the merrier. YFC members and potential club members will be most welcome too.
And in January, we welcome members of North Walsham YFC to supper as our guests
Entry added: 04 Oct 2024 |
STALHAM'S WINTER PROGRAMME
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Wednesday, November 13
Wroxham Barns, 6.30pm supper, 7.30pm meeting.
All the King’s Horses - Capt Emma Lane-Ley, of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
Wednesday, December 11
Wroxham Barns, 6.30pm supper, 7.30pm meeting.
Perils at Sea and the Happisburgh Light, Geoff Turner.
2025
Wednesday, January 15
Wroxham Barns, 6.30pm supper, 7.30pm meeting.
Mighty oaks from acorns, Adam Curtis, countryside manager with the National Trust.
Wednesday, February 12.
Wroxham Barns, 6.30pm supper, 7.30pm meeting and AGM Sampling air for diseases, Darren Heavens, of the Earlham Institute.
Wednesday, March 19
Annual dinner and presentation of trophies and prizes.
Salhouse Lodge, 7pm for 7.30pm. Speaker TBC.
Entry added: 04 Oct 2024 |
FOWL PLAY ONLINE -
Early-morning risers may have heard the club's secretary Michael Pollitt interviewed on BBC Radio 4's Farming Today programme about the challenges of registering on Defra's poultry register. He told the presenter Anna Hill that he had spent a total of 17 hours over two days trying to complete the on-line application for five birds (two hens and three bantams) on his north Norwich allotment ahead of the official deadline for registration on October 1. Defra's website was unable to cope with the surge in applications for poultry keepers with less than
50 birds, who have to register to avoid a £2,500 fine or even possible imprisonment! The online application process required a code from Defra to provide further details but it was only valid for 30 minutes. When the first code arrived seven hours later, it was out of time and thus invalid. In all, 11 codes were sent over two days with the last arriving at 11pm, making it impossible to register. Fortunately, a helpful member of Defra's Cardiff-based Animal and Plant Health Agency offered to send a four-page email to start the registration process. It was somewhat frustrating. And late on Thursday,, Defra's website
stated: "Our online service is currently unavailable due to technical issues." To hear more, go to BBC Sounds (Farming Today, Friday, October 4, 5.45am).
Entry added: 04 Oct 2024 |
Potato Cup entries, please -
After the deluge, maybe a ray of warmth and sunshine will finally be a boost to root crops. Entries for Stalham Farmers' Club's crop competitions will be welcomed. The Potato Cup, now freshly engraved with the names of the last three year's winners, is the first to be judged.
Robin Baines has agreed to cast his eye over the entries and it is planned to walk crops in the first week of August.
Please send details of the size of the field/ variety and access to the secretary - michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com at your earliest convenience.
All entries will be acknowledged amd there is no fee for entering.
Fields should be at least 10 acres. Incidentally, the Potato Cup was first awarded in 1970.
Any questions, please contact the secretary, Michael Pollitt on 01603 486997. Please keep samples from cereal crops for the club's two grain competitions. The club's sugar beet competitions will be judged later in the season.
Entry added: 17 Jul 2024 |