Bowling 2016 - A friendly evening of bowls and 10-pin against members of Holt & District Farmers’ Club was enjoyed by more than 60 players. The presidents of both clubs, William Donald and Bill van Poortvliet were supporting their respective teams – from the sidelines as they were unable to play on this occasion.
Organiser Stuart Ross, of Holt, and Stalham’s Michael Pollitt, had to re-arrange teams at very short notice when some players were unable to attend. However, the bowls were a much closer contest than last year. Holt scored a total of 70 against Stalham’s 57. Holt won three of the five matches, one was tied Another close match produced a 15-12 victory for Holt despite the very best efforts of Stalham’s borrowed “skip” David Hitcham, who almost snatched victory at Rossi’s.
Nearby Peter Lilwall, also playing skip, notched up an 18-9 victory over the scratch side including two former Stalham chairmen, Peter Gardiner and Neil Jordan, and the secretary Michael Pollitt. Stuart Ross, who was playing with a set of woods used by his grandfather, Percy, a former Norfolk county bowls player, was also on very good form, setting the scene for Mr Lilwall.
The trophy for the bowls was presented by Mr Poortvliet to Holt’s chairman, Peter Perry-Warnes.
The 10-pin was also much closer as Stalham scored 3084 – and 233 more than Holt’s 2851. Mr Donald awarded the Adams & Howling Trophy to Abby Coller, of behalf of Team Stalham.
The trophy for the highest individual score of 313 was won by Holt’s Charlie Mack by a 29-point margin over Stalham’s guest player, Darren Jeary.
The evening ended with a three-course meal including roast pork, which was enjoyed by members and their guests. Members also heard that a long-standing competitor and member of both clubs, Tony Williams, was currently en route for an ascent on the 19,341ft peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, and also raising funds for Big C.
Our thanks to Bruce Rossi and his team for coping with last-minute changes to teams and arrangements and also for the loan of woods for players.
Entry added: 29 Feb 2016 |
Honours shared at Rossi's. Stalham retained the 10-pin trophy in the annual competition with Holt & District Farmers. And the margin of victory for Holt in the bowls was narrower than last year's near-whitewash as the visitors took the honours, scoring 70 to Stalham's 57. Full report soon. Entry added: 27 Feb 2016 |
Member's mountain challenge - A fund-raising effort for the Big C charity started at 6.15am today (Friday) as Stalham member Tony Williams left Norwich en route for east Africa. After some weeks of training involving walking and cycling, he starts his five-day ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro on Sunday. He hopes to climb the summit of Africa’s highest mountain, which has official height of 19,341ft on Sunday. It was first climbed on October 6, 1889! And after five nights under canvas and six days of trekking, he returns to Norwich airport on Sunday, March 6. As treasurer of Holt & District Farmers’ Club, he has already been given £20 by Tim Nicholson on his fund-raising page. Go to www.justgiving.com/Tony-Williams21 Stalham secretary Michael Pollitt has also matched the same amount to boost the total. Entry added: 26 Feb 2016 |
Keen ticket demand - Don't leave your application to support the club's annual dinner on Wednesday, March 16 too late. A total of 140 places have already been booked of the 170 available at the Norfolk Mead have been booked. Tickets £40 from the secretary, please. Entry added: 22 Feb 2016 |
The AGM Report is now available in the News, Letters and Notes Page as well as the minutes page! Entry added: 19 Feb 2016 |
Welcome to new member – Solicitor and North Walsham Young Farmers’ Club Sarah Ellero was elected at the annual meeting of Stalham Farmers’ Club. Sarah, who is secretary to North Walsham YFC, was also invited to give the vote of thanks to speaker William Kendall at the January meeting.
New chairman elected – Jonathan Deane, of Ingham, will take over from the retiring chairman Luke Paterson after the club’s annual dinner on Wednesday, March 16 at the Norfolk Mead, Coltishall. Members also elected Henry Alston, of Billockby Hall Farms, as vice-chairman. Mr Paterson also presented the secretary/ treasurer, Michael Pollitt, with a fine bottle of wine in recognition of his efforts over past year.
There is a strong demand for tickets to the Annual dinner with Minette Batters the current NFU deputy president as speaker.With next weeks elections she may well have a different job? Minette will address members, present prizes and trophies during the evening.Over 140 tickets are already sold with only 168 available at the Norfolk Mead.
Don’t leave it too late. Contact the secretary for details.
Entry added: 18 Feb 2016 |
Please look at the new 175th anniversary celebrations page below What's on on the left where you will find an invitation to the Drinks and Canapés event on the 18th June at 7pm at How Hill Farm, How Hill by kind permission of Mr Peter Boardman. Entry added: 18 Feb 2016 |
Secretary's report. For the latest secretary's 2015 report, please go to news letters and information section Entry added: 17 Feb 2016 |
Modest surplus reported -
A successful financial year will be reported to members at the annual meeting at the Norfolk Mead on Wednesday, February 17.
A surplus of £582.84 was achieved in the financial year to December 31, 2015 against a deficit of £2,226.86 in 2014. This was possible, partly because the annual dinner made a surplus of about £500 and spending on club meetings and on the club’s website was much lower.
The club’s reserves stand at more than £2,800 in a deposit account producing £1.36 in interest. There is also a stock of more than 125 silk ties – the main reason for the deficit in 2014.
Members also made substantial donations of £900 to charities and good causes including £500 in December to the RABI’s Cumbrian flood appeal and £300 to the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association towards the Spring Fling
Since the website was launched in January 2014, it has attracted increasing numbers of visitors with more than 13,000 in the first 12 months. The total now stands at almost 35,000! Thanks to our enthusiastic webmaster, Tim Papworth as more than 20,000 visitors were recorded last year.
The forging of closer links with North Walsham and also Acle Young Farmers’ Clubs was again a feature of the year with their members invited as our supper guests to the January meeting. Also a number attended the successful July farm walk around Hall Farm, Wickmere, by invitation of A Hurn & partners, where Stalham members enjoyed a hog roast supper provided by the chairman, Luke Paterson.
Other highlights included a visit to a special north Norfolk garden at Corpusty and a ghost walk in Norwich in October.
The club greatly appreciates the support of the East Norfolk branch of the NFU and in particular the secretaries, Christopher Deane, David Faulkner and James Taylor for providing drinks at the farm walk, insuring the club’s trophies and help with mailing club programmes.
Membership continued to grow by another eight. The increase in subscriptions from July 1 last year to £20pa – the first rise in 15 years – will lay the foundations for the club’s 175th celebrations over the coming months. It would greatly help the secretary and treasurer and also the membership secretary, Jason Cantrill, if members could ensure that they have adjusted their standing order to the new subscription rate from January 1, 2017.
All members are welcome to attend the annual meeting on Wednesday, starting at 7.30pm.
For further details, please contact Michael Pollitt on michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com
Entry added: 16 Feb 2016 |
CPD Points - Members attending the club's February meeting can qualify for 3 CPD points - two for environment and one for application practice - if they sign the BASIS register at the Norfolk Mead on Wednesday, February 17, starting at 7.30pm. The guest speaker, Prof Kevin Hiscock, who leads the Agritech Water Cluster, will be talking about the research carried out by the UEA team on Sir John White's Salle estate and also identifying other solutions and "Practical Steps to minimise pollution." Entry added: 11 Feb 2016 |