November date for opening meeting -
A warm welcome to members and the first meeting of Stalham Farmers’ Club’s autumn programme.
Make a note in your diary – Wednesday, November 10, 7.30pm – at a new location, North Walsham Rugby Club.
This will be a joint meeting with the East Norfolk branch of the National Farmers’ Union. Our chairman, Chris Borrett, and Peter Gardiner, of the NFU, will welcome the team of guest speakers – fenland farmer Michael Sly, chairman of NFU Sugar, and James Northern, head of NFU Sugar and Arthur Marshall, NFU Sugar analyst.
It is planned to arrange a meal beforehand – watch this space.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, December 8 – speakers being confirmed.
While it is planned to return to Vera’s at A G Meale’s, it was felt initially that a larger, roomier venue might be more sensible given the on-going concerns regarding Covid-19.
The rest of the autumn programme is being planned including, hopefully, the annual dinner in March..
Please keep any grain samples for the wheat and barley competitions.
Details, Michael Pollitt – 01603 486997 or email michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com
Entry added: 29 Sep 2021 |
Former club secretary and leading farm manager Rob den Engelse
One of Norfolk's largest farming businesses was run by Rob den Engelse, who died aged 86 at his Wroxham home, on August 31. He was general manager of East Anglian Real Property, which farmed more than 10,000 acres across the county - incidentally following in his father's footsteps. When he left the Cantley-based EARP in 1978, he then held a succession of senior farm management posts. A keen sailor, he decided at the age of 60 to qualify as a Royal Yachting Association instructor and bought a 1935 Ernest Woods river cruiser, Will o' the Wisp to sail on the Broads. He leaves a widow Ann, two children and four grandchildren. Our thoughts are with his family. Full obituary - see the Past Club Members Tab on the left.
Entry added: 23 Sep 2021 |
Former secretary’s funeral - A former club secretary, Rob den Engelse, died peacefully on August 31 at home in Wroxham, aged 86. He was secretary to Stalham Farmers’ Club for three years between 1985 and 1987 and took over from Nigel Wright. A funeral will be held at St Faith’s Crematorium on Wednesday, September 15 at 2.45pm. Our condolences to his widow, Ann, and family. Entry added: 11 Sep 2021 |
Crop competitions – grain, sugar beet and potatoes.
Congratulations to the latest winner of the Cantley Cup – awarded for the highest overall yield by a grower.
Alan Beck, of Brunstead, and his son, Geoff, have won the 2020 Cantley Cup, for the first time. C N Beck & Sons, of Brunstead Hall, near Stalham, won the whole crop competition in 2017.
The runner-up was Milligen McLeod, of East Ruston, and in third place, Andrew Alston, of Catfield.
Apologies for the delay in reporting the results. The Club would like to thank Sarah Bebb, of British Sugar, for her help with the competition.
Barley & wheat samples, please.
As combines prepare to roll across the county in earnest, entries for the two grain competitions will be welcome. There’s no charge to enter samples, which can be delivered to the club chairman, Chris Borrett, of grain merchants, Adams & Howling, or brought to future club events.
Members may recall that for the first time in the history of the inter-club malting barley competition, there was a tie in 2020. A sample grown by Edward de Feyter, of C H Callow and partners, of East Ruston, was a joint winner with his father Graham, of Edingthorpe, who won the Holt title. In 2019, Stalham won the supreme title with a sample grown by George Gay, of Mautby Farms.
Sugar beet entries
It is planned to judge the two sugar beet competitions in late September and in October. There’s no entry fee.
Entries, please, to the secretary for the whole crop by September 10. The field map/ location should show the size and also details of the gate/access point too. Entries must be at least 15 acres. Entries may be emailed – michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com
It is planned to hold the best two-acre competition this year – apologies that it did not take place in 2020. Again, a map showing the best area of the field would be appreciated by September 10.
Potato Cup
Entries are invited for the Potato Cup, which was won last year by the club’s president, Thomas Love.
Please send entries by Friday, August 5, please. Again, a field map/ location and size of crop are needed. Also, please indicate variety and expected use. Email entries to michaelbpollitt@btinternet.com
Future programme activities
It is hoped to resume club activities in the coming weeks and months and even possibly some indoor meetings. At this stage, nothing is planned but any suggestions will be much appreciated. Please contact the secretary, Michael Pollitt (01603 486997) or the chairman, Chris Borrett, with your thoughts.
Entry added: 19 Jul 2021 |
A long-standing member Cyril Adams, of grain merchants Adams & Howling, died aged 81. He started the business at Wroxham in 1972 and it expanded over the years to become one of the country's leading specialists in malting barley. Born in Potter Heigham, he started selling animal feeds and supplies by cycling around the district from 1959 - on his then company transport - a bicycle. Full obituary - See Past Club Members on the left. Entry added: 29 Apr 2021 |
Cyril Adams -
A leading Norfolk agricultural merchant, Cyril Adams, died aged 81, on Thursday, April 22. He established the independent grain merchants, Adams & Howling, with Tony Howling in 1972 in rented offices at Wroxham railway station. Over the following six decades, under his leadership as chairman the business expanded, particularly specialising in handling and marketing malting barley.
He was a long-standing member of Stalham Farmers' Club and also a great supporter of Holt & District Farmers' Club's competitions.
Our thoughts are with his family.
Entry added: 23 Apr 2021 |
Stalham Farmers News:
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As the days lengthen and spring temperatures start to rise, a summer programme for Stalham Farmers’ Club is being planned.
First, an early evening walking tour of an award-winning north Norfolk farm is planned for Tuesday, July 6. Although attendance may be limited and details cannot be confirmed at this stage because of Covid-19, please make a note in your diary.
It is also hoped to arrange the annual clay pigeon shoot against Holt & District Farmers’ Club, probably again in early July.
Entry added: 08 Apr 2021 |
Family affair:
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In what has been an extraordinary year and for the first time, the inter-club award for the supreme sample of malting barley was shared between Stalham and Holt Clubs.
Stalham’s chairman, Chris Borrett, explained that Edward De Feyter, of C H Callow, of East Ruston, won the barley championship with a sample of Flagon. His father, Graham, of Edingthorpe, entered a similar Flagon sample from Holt – so there was no contest between father and son and the club honours are even.
Entry added: 08 Apr 2021 |
Crop competitions:
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As the longest beet campaign in British Sugar’s history nears completion, it is also hoped to report the results of the Cantley Cup for best overall performance by a member after the factory slices out on or after Monday, April 12.
As one of the club’s longest-serving judges has announced his retirement, it is fitting to announce the results of the club’s whole-crop beet competition.
Ken Matthews, who joined Stalham Farmers’ Club in 1967 and has been the mainstay of beet judging for the past 54 years, has decided to stand down. A combination, he says of old age and the challenging of walking through hundreds of acres of beet, has forced his reluctant retirement. The club sends best wishes for his retirement.
Despite the various Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns, it was possible to judge crops across a large spread of east Norfolk including one 110-acre (44ha) field and another 70-acre (28ha) block in early October. It was not possible because of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions to judge the best two-acre beet competition. My apologies.
Whole crop beet cup
The winner cup – Robert Cook, of Boundary Farm, Ingham. The runner-up was Milligen McLeod, of East Ruston, and in third place, LF Papworth, of Felmingham with a field at Goulders Farm. Two points split the top three crops.
Potato Cup
Another long-standing judge, Denis Walsh, ran his experienced eye over a fascinating selection of crops.
The winner was the club’s president, Thomas Love, with a crop of Innovator, grown by Brumstead Church and entered by his son William.
The runner-up was a field of Desiree grown by William Sands, also at Brumstead, and in third place, another crop of Innovator, grown for Lamb Weston by Robin Baines at Church Farm, Tunstead.
The grain competition was also judged.
Barley
1. C H Callow, Edward De Feyter, East Ruston (Flagon)
2. Milligen McLeod, East Ruston (Choice)
3. Andrew Alston, Catfield (Laureate)
Wheat
1. Milligen McLeod
2. LF Papworth
3. B R Ellis & Son, Hickling.
Entry added: 08 Apr 2021 |
Congratulations - One of Stalham’s veteran members celebrated his 90th birthday in typical fashion – walking. Ken Leggett, who is a former chairman, had his 90th birthday on Saturday, January 20 – and has just completed his 50th “park run” at Catton Park.
His son, Peter, joined him for the three-mile walk on Sunday, February 21.
While official parkruns have been suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, organisers have said that participants can still log their times.
The Old Catton and Sprowston West councillor was described by his family as "pretty fit" having played tennis twice a week for 60 years, and enjoyed long distance walks, including six treks in the Himalayas.
Mr Leggett, MBE, who helped to secure grant funding to restore Catton Park, said: "I did it in an hour and 10 minutes which for me is quite good.”
His son Peter was walking ahead of his father as he completed his goal.
"He's been doing it since park runs began. He has always been a pretty fit chap, he added.
Mr Leggett, who was chairman in 2000, gave an illustrated talk to members about his walking tour of Nepal, which included some fantastic shots of Everest. Entry added: 21 Feb 2021 |