POTENTIAL TREE PLANTING PROJECT
Adam Curtis, of the Tree Council, would be willing to prepare a planting grant to help the club mark its 200th anniversary. He told members that an application with community and biodiversity interest could feature trees planted on private land. As new varieties of disease-resistant Dutch Elm have become available, then members could potentially plant in hedges and restore the landscape.
Mr Curtis, senior officer for community planting projects, said that elms are particularly distinctive to East Anglia and the rare white letter hairstreak butterfly, which is dependent on elms, is present in Norfolk.
He offered to assist with a grant application. A bulk delivery of (free) trees could be arranged and once collected, members would plant them on their farms. Ideally, they might be planted within sight of footpaths or public open spaces so that people could enjoy them and maybe a W3W location taken for future reference.
Expressions of interest in planting disease-resistant Dutch elms Adam Curtis, of the Tree Council, asked whether members would be willing to plant a handful of Dutch elm resistant trees from this autumn. He said that each member could receive between three and five trees, grown from UK stock.
Mr Curtis would handle the grant application paperwork if at least 20 members would support the project. A bulk delivery of trees would be arranged and once collected, members would plant them on their farms.
Each member would be asked to record, using What3Words, the location of the planted trees and allow potential inspection at some stage in the future. If members wanted to plant more trees, especially in hedgerows, then it may be possible to increase the number available.
This initiative, if supported by members, could set the stage to mark the club’s 200th anniversary on December 15, 2041.
IF INTERESTED, PLEASE RETURN TO THE SECRETARY Please cut and paste with your details to michaelbpollitt.@btinternet.com or michael.pollitt2014@gmail.com
1 Your name/ farm business title?
2 Would you be willing to plant at least 3 to five Dutch elm resistant trees on your land?
3 In which parish would you plant the trees?
4 You would be required to collect the trees, plant and record the location using What3Words.
5 Would you like to plant more in a hedgerow on your farm. If so, how many would you like?
NB Requests for trees might be scaled back if the Tree Council cannot supply enough.
Replies will be summarised (no names at this stage) and if there’s enough interest from at least 20 members, the information will be forwarded to Adam Curtis. Please reply by March 1, 2025.
Entry added: 31 Jan 2025 |
Congratulations to a new show president. Aylsham Agricultural Show Association has elected club member Jane Ritchie, of Horning, as president at the annual meeting on Monday, January 13, 2025. At the Town Hall, retiring president, Nigel Savory, proposed the long-serving head horse steward, Jane, supported by her husband, George, as his successor.
In addition, a former speaker to the club, Susie Emmett, of Oxborough, near Swaffham, was elected deputy president for 2026. Members may recall that Susie spoke to the club in November 2014. A former World Service broadcaster, she had by then visited 77 countries for her various reports. The AASA also awarded £22,000 to 56 local community groups, charities and local bodies. The one-day show made a surplus of about
£40,000 but legal charges and setting aside an insurance fund for show cancellation accounted for almost £13,000.
Entry added: 15 Jan 2025 |
Bats and trees on club menu
Happy new year. Our guest speaker at the club's opening meeting on Wednesday, January 15 will be Adam Curtis, now of The Tree Council. He briefed members and guests at last summer's farm walk at Blickling on his role with the National Trust as countryside manager. He'll talk about trees, naturally, and also bats and possible grant help for planting too. We welcome members of North Walsham YFC as our guests to supper at Wroxham Barns NR12 8QU, meet from 6pm, served at 6.30pm. All members and guests are welcome to join the chairman, Jonathan Pye for a beef casserole supper with roast vegetables and dessert. It costs £21 but places must be booked in advance by 5pm, Monday, January 13 to the secretary, Michael Pollitt. Either email - michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com or text 07852 718342 or telephone 01603 486997. All bookings will be acknowledged. Payment to the club's bank, by card on the night or by cash. The meeting will start about 7.30pm.
Entry added: 06 Jan 2025 |
Royal patronage continues – HRH the Princess Royal will remain as Happisburgh’s patron for a further three years, it was confirmed at the December meeting. Geoff Turner, and his wife, Jenny, of the Friends of the Happisburgh Lighthouse, said that Princess Anne had agreed a few days ago to continuen as patron. She visited the lighthouse last year - the country’s only independent one - and climbed the 112 steps to the top. Happisburgh was helped by Sandtex, makers of smooth masonry paints, which provided material when it was last re-painted in 2017. Full meeting report – See the minutes and reports tab on the left. Entry added: 13 Dec 2024 |
Lost coat? If anyone has mislaid a woman's Toggi black coat after a recent club meeting at Wroxham Barns, please contact the secretary. The size 18 coat contained a couple of clues which might help the owner to reclaim it. In one pocket, there is a wristband for the Horseracing Museum at Newmarket (Palace Hotel) and secondly, there's the remains of a car park ticket issued by the National Trust at Blickling earlier this spring. So, who is a horse-lover who visited Blickling? Contact the secretary Michael Pollitt 07852 718342. Entry added: 13 Dec 2024 |
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 |