HERE - Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution

Autumn 2011The newsletter from the Royal AgriculturalBenevolent InstitutionnewsTax credits changes cause concernsee page 5Making Christmas happywith a hampersee pages 4 and 6Summer show scene see page 9The royal agricultural charity providing financial support to the farming community past, present and future

Royal AgriculturalBenevolent InstitutionWith compassion and discretion we providewelfare advice, care and financial provisionto those in the farming community sufferingneed, hardship or distress.Through our volunteers and supporters weraise the funds to maintain and develop a costeffective service capable of meeting theirwelfare and well-being needs.IndexNews from Shaw House 3Challenges update 4Welfare 5Concern over Universal CreditShowground massageChristmas hampers 6Residential homes newsShow scene 9Around the country 10Regional roundupFundraising 12Donations 14News and events 16Regional newsDates for your diaryCOVER PICTURE: On the way to ‘Art inthe Box’, a fundraising art exhibition ina stable – see report in fundraising onpage 12RABI, Shaw House, 27 West WayOxford, OX2 0QHtel: 01865 724931fax: 01865 202025e-mail: info@rabi.org.ukwebsite: www.rabi.org.ukconfidential helpline 01865 727888R.A.B.I News is edited by Nicholas Bondwho can be contacted at the above ortel: 01789 721311 (home/office)e-mail: nicholas.bond@farming.me.ukRABI operates throughout England and WalesA sister charity, RSABI, operates in ScotlandRegistered charity no. 208858The year marchessuccessfully onThe support, profile and fundraising for RABI continue to grow as we move through 2011which is very encouraging in these difficult times for many individuals, companies andother organisations.We were honoured and delighted to welcome Their Royal Highnesses the Duke andDuchess of Gloucester to The CLA Game Fair, held in the magnificent surroundings of theBlenheim Palace grounds amidst glorious sunshine. We had been chosen as the show’scharity for the year which provided the ideal opportunity to raise our profile amongst the148,500 visitors attending the event. The Duke and Duchess very kindly spent timemeeting the official guests, beneficiaries,supporters and the staff team, which was muchappreciated by all concerned. My thanks go to allthose who gave up their time so willingly to runthe stand throughout the three days of the eventand to the Game Fair management board for theirsupport.Our presence at the Royal Welsh Show was alsovery successful thanks to our band of volunteers. Iwas delighted to accept a substantial cheque fromthe Lloyds TSB and AMC agricultural staff team,who had raised money in a variety of waysfollowing on from their corporate sponsorship lastyear. At the same time we hosted a book signingby Adam Henson, the farming star of the BBCCountryfile programme and an ambassador forLloyds TSB, who attracted a long queue of ladieskeen to secure his autograph. He very kindly gaveus a percentage of his sales that day, spoke in support of our work and provided twocopies of his book to be auctioned off in the evening.I have been pleased to attend fantastic fundraising events in various parts of thecountry virtually every weekend since April ranging from balls to a wonderful concert andsplendid lunches. All have been well supported and organised by the hard working countycommittees and regional officers concerned. I joined the RABI team in London for theannual 10k run along with the other 25,000 participants. Once again we were blessedwith fine weather which was a little on the warm side for the run, but perfect for ourparty in the park afterwards. Many thanks to all who took part and to those whosupported us along the route. I hope that we can attract an even bigger team of runnersnext year just before the London Olympics get underway. Remember we can guaranteeyou a place without having to qualify!I am also delighted to report that we have secured planning consent for theredevelopment of Manson House and work on this exciting project will start in theautumn. Over the course of the next three years we aim to improve and extend the homeand to replace the outdated flats, which provide valuable accommodation for those whocan still enjoy a degree of independent living.We are already making plans for 2012 which will include playing a major role in thelighting of beacons to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. So please watch this spacefor further details as to how you can help light up Britain to mark this very specialoccasion.Julian SayersChairmanwww.rabi.org.uk 2

News from Shaw HouseGiving a hamper for ChristmasTo most of us Christmas is a time for festivities, friends andfeasting but it is also a time of peace and goodwill. There aremany people who receive very little of the things that manyof us take for granted during the festive season.RABI distributes around 1,200 Christmas hampers to elderlyand disabled beneficiaries. As well as containing essentialstore cupboard ingredients for the festive period, they providea welcome feeling of being remembered at what, for some,can be a lonely time.By making a relatively small contribution to RABI’s ChristmasHamper Campaign, you can make a big difference andexpress your thanks to the people who have spent a lifetimeworking to put food on our tables.A donation of £40 will pay for a hamper for a single personand £60 will provide one for a couple.You can complete and return the form which is included withthis R.A.B.I. News or call the fundraising, marketing andcommunications department on 01865 724931.Smithfield sheep classFollowing the last minute relocation of the Royal SmithfieldClub livestock classes to the East of England Winter StockFestival last year, it has been announced that they will bebuilding on what proved to be a successful event. We aredelighted that the schedule will once again include the RABIcharity sheep class and very much appreciate the support wereceive from the livestock exhibitors. The show, renamed theEast of England Smithfield Festival, will held be on the Eastof England Showground, Peterborough on 2nd and 3rdDecember.Challenges updateCongratulations to SpaldingsskydiversIn May, 13 employeesfrom Spaldings landedsafely from theirfundraising skydive andin doing so raised over£6,700 for RABI.Spaldings’ agricultural sales director Roger Chase (secondfrom right), who had taken part in the jump was at theLincolnshire Show to hand over the results of theirmagnificent achievement to (from left) Lincolnshire RABIchairman Hugh Wykes, regional welfare officer Jill Line andregional officer Milly Wastie.This donation takes the total raised by Spaldings for RABIthis year to nearly £8,000.Round Lincs cycle rideCongratulations to Horncastle NFU chairman, JimmyArmstrong, who cycled around the county of Lincolnshire,visiting various branch members along the way, to raisemoney for RABI. He cycled 105.26 miles, in 6 hours 35minutes 43 seconds and burnt up 6,370 calories – calculatedprecisely because he was also running a competition to guessthe distance, time and effort expended. Thanks to hismammoth effort RABI has received £530.In MemoriumSadly we have to report the death ofRABI vice-president William Gauntlett0BE, who died peacefully on 10thAugust, in Christchurch, New Zealand.William Gauntlett, who was in his99th year, came from a farming familythat gave many years of service toRABI. He followed his father on to theRABI council in 1954 and served on itfor 32 years. For his last 20 years as acouncil member he was first treasurer, then vice-chairman and finally chairman. Hisaunt, Miss A R Gauntlett, was also a council member until her death, which occurredat a council meeting.During his time as a trustee he was instrumental in many of the changes to RABI as itmoved from its Victorian origins and adapted to post-World War II conditions. On hisretirement from the council he became a vice-president and moved to New Zealand.Despite the distance he continued to take an active interest in RABI and was a keenreader of R.A.B.I. News, often sending his comments to the editor.Some of his recollections were carried in the Summer 2009 issue of R.A.B.I. News,including his observations about his early council meetings. In those days the trusteesspent their time signing between 800 and 900 quarterly cheques for beneficiarieswhile the chairman carried on with the meeting – there was, he said, “little time fordiscussion”. This was all to change during his time in office and he will beremembered as one of the architects of the modern RABI.It is also with regret that we record the deaths of two beneficiaries who have featuredin recent issues of R.A.B.I. News. William Ackrill, who attended the RABI carol servicein Dorchester Abbey last year, at which his wife Joan spoke so movingly, and BobSumner, whose generous request for donations to RABI rather than gifts for his 90thbirthday was reported in the last issue.Paddling to dragon boatsuccess‘Pen Mill Feeds Cow Pat Paddlers’ took to thewater at the Sherborne Castle Country Fair tobattle it out against 27 other teams in theDragon Boat race. The team, drawn from YeovilbasedPen Mill Feeds Ltd staff, family membersand friends, were competing for the first timeand they exceeded all expectations by racing tosuccess to win the magnificent Chinese Dragon Pen Mill Feeds Cow Pat Paddlers celebrateTrophy. They also raised an impressive £1,200 their victoryfor RABI and they are now looking forward to defending their trophy next year.Coast to coast cycleWilliam Gauntlett visiting an RABI beneficiary in1972 when he was honorary treasurerWell done Peter Brumpton, who successfully completed histhree-day 174-mile coast-to-coast (Bridlington to Morecambe)cycle ride without, he reports “too many problems”. Although hedoes say that the ‘hill’ out of Pateley Bridge onto thePennines/Yorkshire Dales was something else! Only two of theparty of 31 managed to climb it without stopping or pushingtheir bikes. Peter has raised over £900 for RABI.Congratulations also toJames Nathan and George Schuster who have completed their cycle ride to Greece; and to Lucy Ratcliffewho has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.Good luck to: Lucy Kent, who at the time of writing is somewhere in the middle of the USA on her coastto coast cycle ride; RABI staff and friends - walking Hadrian’s Wall in September; Chris Harrison -walking in the Grand Canyon - and Will Watson – running the Eden marathon - both in October; andJulie Foley - who is planning a skydive.We will be carrying full reports on all their exploits and achievements in the winter issue of R.A.B.I. News4www.rabi.org.uk

WelfareMaking Christmas happy with a hamperIt was over 40 years ago that the annual distribution of Christmas hampers to RABI beneficiaries first started. Since then it has become a tradition thatis much anticipated by those who do not have the resources to enjoy many of the festive delights that most of us take for granted.At the RABI council meeting in September 1969, membersconsidered a proposal to give Christmas hampers and,according to the minutes of the meeting, “after hearing ofthe very considerable number of appreciative letters thathad been received from our beneficiaries last year”, it wasunanimously agreed that hampers be sent to allbeneficiaries. It was decided that there should be “anapproximate cost of £12.10s [£12.50] per hamper,including postage and packing, subject to the particularcontents that the secretary was able to include”.In the early years it was supporters, in the main localNFU and YFC members, who delivered the majority of thehampers. For many of them this was the first contact theyhad had with beneficiaries and, as the annual report for1971 stated, it served to strengthen RABI’s grass-rootssupport.Over the years, as the number of beneficiaries receivinghampers has more than doubled and with an increasingIn 1916 they were filling baskets with clean laundry - now they fillhampers with foodnumber of them wishing to retain their anonymity,distribution became more centralised. The vast bulk ofhampers are now dispatched direct to the beneficiaries byFestival Foods, the company that has been producing themfor RABI since 1998.“We choose Festival Foods to supply both Christmasand birthday hampers because they were competitive andthey provide an excellent service”, comments Trish Pickford,head of welfare at RABI. “They have always been veryhelpful and quick to respond if there is any problem withthe delivery of a hamper.“In addition to the basic hamper, they are able to meetour requirements for diabetic and vegetarian hamperswith, for Christmas, double hampers for couples. In recentBob’s flying visitWhen Sheri Farrow, the deputy/care manager at Beaufort House,learnt about Project Propeller, an annual reunion for World War IIaircrew, held at Wickenby airfield, Lincoln, she immediately thought ofBob Axford. Bob is a resident at Beaufort who flew Spitfires during thewar and she knew that he would love to attend.Born into farming in Keevil, Wiltshire, Bob joined the RAF when hewas 18, returning home in 1946, following the death of his father, tomanage the farm. Bob moved to Beaufort House in June last year,where he joined his sister Margaret, who celebrated her 100thbirthday at the end of 2010.Sheri discovered that volunteer pilots used their private aircraft totransport veterans from all over the country to the reunion, so she setabout making it happen for Bob. On 11th June she picked Bob upfrom Beaufort House at 8.30am and drove him to Gloucester airport.Shortly after 10amthey were on boarda single engine light aircraft, piloted byStephen Turley, for the 40-minute flight toLincolnshire.Bob’s very special day out included seeing demonstration flights ofaircraft he had flown in training and in combat as well as a display bythe Red Arrows. His sister Margaret was reportedly nervous about himflying at the age of 89, but was delighted that he had such awonderful opportunity.It was certainly a day that both Bob and Sheri will never forget. Weunderstand that Bob has not stopped smiling since his return and hasbeen delighting the other residents with his memories and account ofhis day out.www.rabi.org.uk6

Welfareyears, as well as food we have been able to include otheritems, such as low energy light bulbs and commemorativeRABI 150th anniversary mugs.”Festival Foods is very much a family firm with stronglocal ties and a loyal staff. Sophie Gidley is the thirdgeneration to be managing director, having succeeded herfather John, who is still very actively involved in thebusiness. Of the 15 permanent staff the newest employeehas been with them for 10 years and the majority of the80 seasonal staff, taken on in the run-up to Christmas,are locals who have been with them for many years.Based in Leeds, Festival Foods was founded by Sophie’sgrandfather in 1949, supplying cans of turkey and chickenbreasts at a time of post-war food rationing in Britain. In1965 the company received an order for hampers from amail order firm and within four years the preparation andpacking of hampers to customers’ specifications hadbecome the dominant line of production.In 1971 they moved to their current premises,previously a Co-operative laundry built in 1916, in order tocope with the increasing output. Currently they dispatchup to 100,000 hampers a year, 80 per cent of which arefor Christmas, with more than 40 different types made upto individual customer requirements from between 800and 900 lines of produce.Forty years ago the basic RABI Christmas hamperincluded 16 items of staple and festive food, ranging frommince pies and Christmas pudding to gammon ham andfinest blended tea. Today the contents are still very similarbut reflect changing tastes – the loose tea has given wayto tea bags and the 20 items now include soup,vegetables and a bottle of sherry. Not surprisingly the costhas also risen, threefold, but compared with the tenfoldincreases in some basic foodstuffs over the same period itrepresents excellent value for money.There is a lot of satisfaction in knowing that you havebrightened up someone’s Christmas. Something which isexperienced not only by the RABI welfare staff, whoreceive numerous letters of thanks every year, but also bystaff at Festival Foods, who have got to know several ofthe recipients that contact them to express theirappreciation.RABI chief executive Paul Burrows (centre) with Sophie and John Gidley watching RABI birthday hampersbeing filled (above) and with hampers ready for dispatch to beneficiaries (below)Festival Foods supporting RABIFestival Foods produce a variety of traditional hampers, ranging from basic at£35 to luxury at £160, which can make excellent gifts, whether to mark acelebration or as a special thank you to family, friends and associates.When RABI supporters purchase one of their hampers Festival Foods haveundertaken to make a donation to RABI of 20% of the value of your order. Allyou need to do to enable us to benefit from this generous offer is to make itclear on your order by quoting order number R11.Visit www.festivalhampers.co.uk or phone 0113 249 5191 for more details andto see the Festival Hampers range.Bob and Sheri back in Beaufort Housetoasting the success of their tripBob on his way home from the reunion7www.rabi.org.uk

WelfareResidential HomesManson House Comprehensive improvement plansExciting developments at RABI's Suffolkresidential home get underway thisautumn. The trustees have undertaken afull review of the home and, after carefulconsideration, decided to redevelop thesite to create more residentialaccommodation and modernise thehome, whilst retaining the character ofthe building.RABI has owned Manson House since1975, although its involvement with theproperty dates back to the 1960s whenManson Court, a block of eight onebedroomself-contained flats was erectedin the grounds for RABI beneficiaries.Subsequently the complex, which stands in1.4 acres, was extended to include furtherdetached accommodation and apartments.At present Manson House has 22 singlebedrooms, only a few of which have ensuitefacilities, and there are also 19rentable apartments. The house, asubstantial listed Grade II* Georgianresidence spanning three floors, has an airof homeliness rather than that of apurpose-built institution, but as a home forthe elderly, with narrow staircases and onlyone lift, it has its challenges.Beaufort House CelebrationsChris Musgrave (centre) presenting the Musgrave Family Charitydonation cheque to head of home Sue Luck and managementcommittee chairman Chris RiddleMembers of the Bucks Farmers’ Ball committee, with Sue Luckand Chris Riddle, in front of the new conservatory which theyfundedFollowing a detailed survey of the mainbuilding in 2009, it was confirmed that,while structurally it was basically in goodorder, repairs costing over £100,000 wererequired. After extensive informaldiscussions with the planning departmentand English Heritage a suitableredevelopment to best meet all thenecessary criteria was agreed.A planning application, to increase thenumber of residential rooms in MansonHouse to 31 (all en-suite) and to replacesome of the other buildings on site toprovide 22 rentable apartments and aguest house, was submitted in March thisyear. Planning consent was granted on 8thJuly and our architects are currentlycompleting building regulationsrequirements with a view to invitingcontractors to submit tenders in November.The project, which it is estimated willcost in the region of £2.8 million (plusVAT), is expected to take three years tocomplete. The work will be carried out inphases designed to cause as littledisturbance as possible to the residentsand tenants who will be living on sitethroughout.RABI has two residential homes, Beaufort House at Burnham-on-Sea and MansonHouse at Bury St Edmunds. Full information about them is available on thewebsite – www.rabi.org.uk or from the welfare department on 01865 724931.One of this summer’s Manson House outings for residents was toBanham Zoo where they were able to enjoy viewing a widerange of animals among the other entertainmentsAffectionately known as the 'knit and natter ladies’, a group ofresidents at Manson House has been knitting jumpers forchildren in MalawiThree years ago the home maintenancemanager, Peter Mason, and a smallteam embarked on the refurbishment ofBeaufort House, our residential home inBurnham-on-Sea. On 30th June acelebratory lunch was held at the hometo mark a significant stage in the workand to thank those who had generouslycontributed towards the cost.To date the refurbishment has costaround £525,000. Carrying out the workin-house over a number of years has notonly kept the cost down, but also ensuredthe highest quality of workmanship andminimal disruption to life at the home.The occasion marked the completion ofthe refurbishment of the residents’ rooms,all of which are now en-suite; the diningroom; and the various communal dayrooms, including the revamping of thegarden room, making it accessible towheelchairs from both inside and outsidethe house.Among those attending were severalmajor donors to the project. They includedSir John Lushington, who oversaw thedistribution of the estate of his relativeMiss Gadesden from which RABI received£174,374; members of theBuckinghamshire County Farmers’ Ballcommittee who have contributed towardsthe continued improvements at BeaufortHouse for many years, including over thepast six years - £19,000 towards a newtherapy room, £20,000 towards up-gradeof rooms, £5,000 for a large screentelevision and DVD player and mostrecently £16,000 for the purchase of anew conservatory; and Chris Musgrave,representing the Musgrave Family Charitywhich has donated £17,400 for theforthcoming refurbishment of the BeaufortHouse kitchen.Thanking all those who hadcontributed, Chris Riddle, chairman of themanagement committee, included theWills family, who were unable to attend.Their donation of £10,000 has enabledthe refurbishment of the garden room inmemory of the late Mrs Wills, who hadbeen a resident in the home.He also thanked Peter Mason and histeam, who are currently working on therefurbishment and up-grade of the flats atBeaufort Court; home manager Sue Luck,her deputy and care manager Sheri Farrowand all the staff whose dedication andloyalty has resulted in Beaufort Housebeing awarded the highest quality ratingby the Care Quality Commission in 2009.www.rabi.org.uk8

Seen at the summer showsThroughout the summer RABI has been present at all the major shows and most of the local ones across Englandand Wales. At many of them our presence has been courtesy of the show organisers, corporate supporters, ororganisations such as the NFU. We are very grateful for the support that we receive and the opportunity that it givesto promote the help that is available for those in need in our industry.RABI stands always attract a lot of interest – here are just a few of our visitors this year -Great Yorkshire ShowRoyal Cornwall ShowHRH The Duke ofGloucester meets (fromleft) RABI regional welfareofficer Liz Hoare,beneficiary Doreen Slater-Brooks, and supporterYvonne BylesThe Bishop of Knaresborough buys a raffle ticket for the ‘win aquad for a quid’ raffle while North Yorkshire committeemember Leslie Abel minds his crookRoyal Welsh ShowQueues formed to meet Adam Henson whowas signing copies of his book on the RABIstandThe show president’s wife, Lady Lynne Morrison (right), withRABI northern regional officers Sally Conner (left) andGeorgina LambDevon County ShowAdam Henson meeting Welsh YFC leaders(from left) Nia Lloyd, chief executive; DylanJones, vice chairman; Kay Lewis, ruraldevelopment officerThe CLAGame FairRABI president HRH The Duke ofGloucester meeting local RABIbeneficiary Daphne Plumridge.Devon committee vice-chairman Celia Hyland withChannel 4’s ‘Location Location Location’ presenterKirstie AllsoppMinister of State for Agriculture and Food, James Paice withRABI trustee Jeremy Lewis, while RABI’s Kris Band talks withAva Paice (partially hidden), a member of the CambridgeshireRABI committee9www.rabi.org.uk

Around the countryRegionalEAST OFENGLANDBob ArchibaldBedfordshire, Cambridgeshire,Essex, Hertfordshire,Huntingdon, Norfolk, Rutland,Suffolktel: 01366 385388mobile: 07739 297374bob.archibald@rabi.org.ukThe summer has passed quickly with so many activities being organised by the county committees.Norfolk golf day at Bawburgh and the Charity Flush shoot, sponsored by Sentry, were well supported and the annualSuffolk tennis tournament was an enjoyable occasion.Shows that we attended included Hadleigh (for the first time); Bedfordshire YFCs; Herts (thanks to NFU for hosting us);Suffolk (which included a Farming Help breakfast reception sponsored by NFU Mutual); Cambridgeshire YFCs; Rutland; Eastof England; Royal Norfolk; and Pymoor. We were also invited to Frontier Agriculture’s open day at Gressenhall.The Essex committee, with about 80 ‘friends’, enjoyed an evening tour of Great Lodge vineyard, hosted by Alan Jordan,and a ploughman’s supper. There was good weather and a very good attendance at Norfolk’s annual cocktail party.Our thanks to the Colchester Agricultural Club for the donation presented to us at their summer meeting on Mersea Island.Autumn promises to be equally busy with the Essex ride at Galleywood; Manson House hog roast; Gransden Show; andChelmsford Cathedral’s harvest festival, all in September. October sees the Welly Dinner at the East of England AutumnShow; Ely Cathedral harvest festival; Suffolk’s quiz evening; and the Mersea Island ploughing match.Thank you to all who have helped this summer - your efforts have been much appreciated. Bob ArchibaldThis show season has been even more busy than normal for me as I have ventured to shows outside of the EastMidlands region wearing my YFC hat.I was delighted that RABI was show charity for Blaston Show this year, helping to highlight the importance of our work.June and July were awash with events including the summer party at Wakefield Estate near Towcester, ferret racing inLeicestershire, ‘art in the box’ in Northants, a Sunday lunch in Derbyshire and a hugely successful soirée at Tony Strawson’sHexgreave Hall in Nottinghamshire which raised £7,400.As we draw into the autumn it is time to reflect on the harvest and there are harvest festivals in Lincoln Cathedral andSt Giles in the Field, London, as well as in Leicester and Southall Minster. Autumn and winter events are in the planningstages at present so please keep the following dates free as the committees and I really value your support: clay shootingon 10th September, go karting on 27th September, bingo night on 21st October and skittles on 17th November (moredetails on page 16). On Monday 31st October there will be a regional meeting, for RABI county committee members andsupporters in the east midlands, in Uppingham. There will be discussion on the future plans for RABI and an opportunityto network. If you would like more details and an invitation to attend please contact me. Milly WastieMilly WastieEASTMIDLANDSDerbyshire, Leicestershire,Lincolnshire,Northamptonshire,Nottinghamshiretel: 01858 525805mobile: 07525 323450milly.wastie@rabi.org.ukNORTHWESTGeorgina LambCheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire,South Yorkshire, WestYorkshiremobile: 07917 114250georgina.lamb@rabi.org.ukThe show season has been hectic this summer with new fundraising ideas and opportunities for all. Yorkshire has beenparticularly lucky to have a Polaris Youth Quad Bike, very kindly donated by ATV World in Leeds, which has attracted ahuge amount of attention with our “win a quad for a quid” - a gamble that most people just can’t afford not to take!The draw for the bike will take place at Countryside Live in Harrogate on Sunday 23rd October so there is still plenty oftime to purchase what could be the winning ticket!I must admit it tickles me pink hearing conversations, ideas and comments at events organised by my committees. Ihad to chuckle when listening to complaints that “the egg yolks aren’t yellow enough in the egg and cress sandwiches!”The effort to create a perfect cream tea afternoon knows no bounds and the trouble taken never ceases to amaze me.This goes for each and every individual who helps at functions - your care and committment is overwhelming and Icannot thank you enough! This autumn we are relishing the opportunity to work alongside other charities in the region,including FCN and the North West Air Ambulance. There is a packed schedule with race nights, ceilidhs, Cumberlandnights and carol services in Cumbria; hoe downs and songs of praise in Lancashire; treasure hunting in West Yorkshireand murder mysteries on Merseyside! I look forward to seeing you there! Georgina LambGinger, our irritating chicken, is currently pecking at me through the window, hopeful of getting a tasty morsel. It is theprecise definition of being ‘hen-pecked’ and I’m steadfastly ignoring her until my work is done!Sadly, this is my last piece as regional officer south west, as I’m taking on a new role – regional welfare officer southcentral. It is exciting to be taking on new challenges and I look forward to the direct contact with our beneficiaries, butI’ll greatly miss my wonderful and devoted voluntary committees who keep this region active. We’ve had a busy andsuccessful year with shows, cream teas, summer fairs, metal detecting events and charity auction previews.This autumn continues with our harvest thanksgiving services across the region, including in Gloucester and WellsCathedrals, to celebrate the work of RABI. We also have a presence at the British National Ploughing Championships inBishops Lydiard, Somerset, and are grateful, as always, to the YFC for supporting our Welly Week campaign. I wish mysuccessor all the best and hope they enjoy the job as much as I have. There is still plenty to be done to promoteawareness of RABI, and perhaps Ginger has a point - if we continue to drop gentle reminders of our presence,eventually we get a positive response! Suzie PatonSuzie PatonSOUTHWEST OFENGLANDDorset, Gloucestershire,Somerset, Wiltshiretel: 01285 712440mobile: 07860 507980suzie.paton@rabi.org.ukNORTHEASTSally ConnerDurham, Northumberland,East Yorkshire, North Yorkshiretel: 01964 541400mobile: 07818 093506sally.conner@rabi.org.ukWhere has this year gone! Isn’t time supposed to fly when you are having fun? Just goes to show that’s right! We arehaving a great time in the North East, with still more events being planned and people always very willing to support us.The show season has been really successful, with lots of people visiting our stands. There are just a few shows left so let’shope it doesn’t rain!You can never diet when you work for RABI because there are always dinners to attend! We have two in October, one atthe Black Sheep Brewery, when Paul Theakston is our speaker and where there will be an auction of harvest. Last year’s ballat Headlam Hall in County Durham was so successful that we have decided to make it an annual event (see page 16 fordates). We also have an ‘Antique Event’ in East Yorkshire with guests invited to value old relics (no, not the other guests!). Acouple of fashion shows, one in East Yorkshire and one in Northumberland will also be worth going to with early Christmasshopping available!What I like is the variety of events and ideas. We also get a lot of people sending us money from events they have heldfor us - to those unsung heroes, many thanks. Sally Connerwww.rabi.org.uk10

ReportsSally FieldSOUTHEAST OFENGLANDBerkshire, Kent, Hampshire,Isle of Wight, Surrey, Sussextel: 01903 882741mobile: 07799 798441sally.field@rabi.org.ukAround the countrySummer is fading slowly, a mixed English summer as usual with rain and minimal sunshine! The combines have atlong last finished munching their way across acres of golden fields and now everyone is busy starting all over again fornext year’s cereal cycle. Also peace and quiet as the children have gone back to school!Events in the south gain momentum in September and October with shows and ploughing matches, harvest festivalsand suppers. So over the next few months our feet won’t touch the ground. In the summer we experienced a few newactivities, including a 25-mile bike ride through the New Forest, ferret racing and an English shuffleboard night. All havebeen great fun and given us ideas that can be built on for 2012.This will be the last time I will be writing news on Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire as Suzy Deeley will be takingover my role for these two counties. I will still keep in touch and hopefully see as many of you at our regional chairmen’smeetings, the AGM and at the London 10k run. Thank you for all your support and help over the years and good luck toSuzy in her new role. Sally FieldThanks to all our supporters and committee members who helped to make the summer season so successful.We attended six local agricultural shows, in addition to the Royal Cornwall and Devon County, and had stands atSheep South West and on Open Farm Sunday.These events raised thousands of pounds through raffle ticket sales and people fundraising on our behalf. They alsoraised awareness of our work and brought us into contact with other organisations that can encourage farmingfamilies in need to seek our help.In addition shows were a great opportunity to meet old friends. These include our local MPs, whom many people arelobbying to try to change aspects of the Government’s welfare reform plans as the new regulations, as drafted, willsubstantially reduce farming families’ entitlement to the tax credits on which so many depend.Our autumn programme includes Cornwall’s annual Farmers’ Ball, as well as awareness events to try to widen ourcircle of support. Volunteers are also raising funds for us by doing things as varied as marathon running, long-distancewalking, and arranging cream teas! We’re tremendously grateful for all the support we receive – those who come to usfor help depend on it. Philippa SpackmanPhilippaSpackmanDEVON &CORNWALLCornwall, Devontel: 01872 500902mobile: 07919 478518p.spackman@rabi.org.ukKate RobertsWESTMIDLANDSHerefordshire, Shropshire,Staffordshire, Warwickshire,Worcestershiretel: 01630 638997mobile: 07876 492839kate.roberts@rabi.org.ukWell that’s another show season done and dusted in such varied weather conditions. One minute I needed myumbrella, the next the sun cream was out but on many occasions I went for the windswept look. Thank you to everyonewho helped and visited the stands throughout the west midlands. It is lovely to speak to beneficiaries or help explaindetails about the charity, especially the benefits of the Gateway Project.Worcestershire and Shropshire have been hitting the high notes with two very successful concerts. The performancesat both were simply superb and it is always a pleasure to see such talent at these fundraising events. Meanwhile inWarwickshire there was a fantastic spread of homemade cakes and scones at the annual cricket match - quality testingof cakes has become an important part of my job!We are now focusing on forthcoming events for the autumn, including harvest services, a tractor run, a horse fun ride,a pea and pie supper and a few annual dinners. If you would like to attend or help at any of these events, do get intouch for more details.Finally, I would just like to thank everyone for the lovely flowers, cards and good wishes on my recent engagement.Any tips for making a good farmer’s wife will be gratefully received! Kate RobertsAs another very successful show season has ended, it is very difficult to appreciate how rapidly another year in our history ispassing by. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our truly committed and hardworking committee members for thetremendous support they have given during this hectic period.We attended numerous local shows where our presence can only enhance the awareness and profile of RABI throughout theheart of the agricultural community.There are many exciting and varied events still to come during the year, which include dinners with good entertainment,concerts, bingo evenings and a Christmas service in a livestock mart. I feel certain that there is something to meet everyone’staste. I would ask you to peruse these on our website as well as in the newsletter.RABI continues to work closely with both Welsh farming unions and it is encouraging that the relationship with Wales YFCcontinues to grow, which is vitally important as the young farmers of today are our supporters of the future.If you feel you may have a little time to spare to join or support one of our committees, then please contact me. I can assureyou that you would be with a wonderful group of people and even more important you would have a lot of fun.Erys HughesWALES/CYMRUtel: 01686 650937mobile: 07799 798446erys.hughes@rabi.org.ukffôn: 01686 650937ffôn symudol: 07799 798446erys.hughes@rabi.org.ukWrth i dymor sioeau llwyddiannus ddirwyn i ben unwaith eto, peth anodd iawn yw gwerthfawrogi pa mor gyflym y maeblwyddyn arall yn ein hanes yn gwibio heibio. Hoffwn fanteisio ar y cyfle hwn i ddiolch i’n holl aelodau pwyllgor ymroddedig a gweithgar am eucefnogaeth ragorol yn ystod y cyfnod hwn, sydd wedi bod mor brysur.Cafwyd presenoldeb mewn nifer fawr o sioeau lleol eto eleni, a gall hyn ond gwella a chynyddu proffil ac ymwybyddiaeth am waith RABI yng nghalon ygymuned amaethyddol. Mae nifer o ddigwyddiadau cyffrous ac amrywiol eto i ddigwydd yn ystod y flwyddyn hon - yn eu mysg mae ciniawau gydagadloniant gwych, cyngherddau, nosweithiau bingo, a gwasanaeth Nadolig mewn marchnad da byw: rwyf yn sicr fod rhywbeth at ddant pawb ymysg yrhestr hon. Gofynnaf yn garedig i chi chwilio am fwy o fanylion ar y digwyddiadau hyn ar ein gwefan, yn ogystal ag yn y cylchlythyr.Mae RABI yn parhau i weithio’n agos gyda’r ddau undeb ffermio, ac mae’r berthynas yn parhau yn gryf; a pheth calonogol iawn yw gallu adrodd fod yberthynas gyda CFfI Cymru yn mynd o nerth i nerth; mae hyn yn hanfodol bwysig, oherwydd ffermwyr ifainc heddiw, gyda lwc, fydd ein haelodau ni yn ydyfodol. Yn olaf, hoffwn ofyn unwaith eto, os oes gennych rywfaint o amser i ymuno â neu i gefnogi un o’n pwyllgorau, croeso i chi ffonio fi; gallwch fod ynsicr y cewch gyfle i dreulio amser gyda grŵp o bobl heb eu hail, ac yn bwysicach na dim, fe gewch chi lawer iawn o HWYL. Erys Hughes11www.rabi.org.uk

Around the countryFUNDRAISINGVine day out in EssexThanks to the hard work and support of the RABI county committee volunteers andmany other supporters, fundraising and awareness events take place across thecountry throughout the year. The summer is a particularly busy and this is taste ofwhat has been happening over the past few months. For greater detail and moreinformation visit www.rabi.org.uk or contact your local regional officer (see page 10)Presentation at cocktail partyStable art in NorthantsMembers of the Essex committee and friendsbeing addressed by Alan Jordan in hisvineyard when they visited The Great Lodge,Great Bardfield. They also enjoyed aploughman’s supper in the 16th centuryGrade I listed Great Barn, which was built forAnne of Cleves.Ladies that lunch in SuffolkThere was a full house for the Suffolk ‘Ladiesthat lunch’event with 90people enjoyinga demonstrationof Thai cookerybefore eating adelicious Thaigreen curry,cooked by members of the RABI committee.There was also the opportunity to buy variouslocally produced crafts.Golf in NorfolkMembers of the NFU North Walsham team(from left) Andy Norman, Tim Moll, SteveSmith and Steve Hopper ready to tee off inthe annual Norfolk golf day at BawbroughGolf Club. A great day was had by all and,with 24 teams taking part, it raised morethan £2,000.Shooting clays in KentThe clay pigeon shoot organised byEdenbridge and Sevenoaks NFU was very wellattended with strong competition among the22 participating teams. Held at HendenManor, Ide Hill, thanks to Mr & MrsLovegrove, it was won by the Goddingtonteam with an excellent score and raised over£2,000 for RABI.There was a surprise event at the Norfolkcommittee’s annual fundraising cocktail partyon the Norfolk Showground. To mark 25 yearsas secretary to the committee, Sally Mitchell(pictured second from right with some of thecommittee) was presented with a speciallycommissioned and decorated RABI tea set.Herts hamper winnerHertfordshire RABI committee chairman NigelCollins (left) with Mark Robinson, winner of ahamper of local food raffled by the committeeat this year’s Herts show. With a hamper tobe won on each of the three days on thestand hosted by the NFU branches, over£1,000 was raised.Show charity at BlastonLeicestershire committee members EllieRichardson and Veronica Sutton ready topromote RABI and sell raffle tickets for arocking sheep at Blaston Show. RABI was thechosen charity for the show and theorganisers helped the fundraising by running‘guess the weights’, of a calf and two lambscompetitions.‘Art in the Box’, at Pastures Farm, Grendon,proved a great success. Sponsored by CarterJonas, it attracted 30 local artists and, withcommissions from the sale of pictures, raised£1,200 for RABI. Pictured are Debbie Skinner(right), organiser of the event, local artist LeeBurrows and RABI regional officer MillyWastie. (Debbie and Lee are also pictured onthe R.A.B.I. News cover).Summer parties inNottinghamshire...Hexgrave Hall, home of former Newark andNotts Show president Tony Strawson, was thevenue for a summer party attended by 300guests. They enjoyed a hog roast, music andan auction. Thanks to Tony and his partnerHelen, with support from the Newark andNotts Show Society, a wonderful eveningraised £7,400....and NorthantsThe Northants RABI Summer party atWakefield Estate, by kind permission of Sarahand Julian Richmond-Watson, attracted 150supporters. Guests were able to enjoy thebeautiful surroundings of the estate, whichboasts an exotic array of livestock, and weregiven a tour of the stud farm. An excellentevening raised some £1,500.www.rabi.org.uk12

Around the countryFerret racing in Leicestershireand KentIn the traps and under starter’s orders at theLeicestershire ferret races. Held at Fenn LaneFarm, Upton, thanks to Alf and Jill Oliverassisted by Veronica and Brian Sutton theevent, which included ‘pig racing’, raised over£2,000, split between RABI and the CountyTrust.Ferret racing was also a feature of theSmithfield Club President’s weekend atStalisfield, Kent, courtesy of John Coltrip.Organised in conjunction with a hog roast byDavid Chantler and the Kent committee, theevening was enjoyed by 100 people andraised over £2,200.Yorkshire golfMusic in ShropshireOswestry School provided a splendid marqueefor the Shropshire committee’s MusicalCelebration. An audience of more than 300enjoyed excellent performances by Côr Godre’rAran, Angharad Lewis and pupils from theschool. With the raffle match funded byBarclays Corporate to the value of £750 theevent, which was co-ordinated by Malcolmand Anne Roberts, raised £4,400. Picturedwith the raffle prizes (from left): Chris Downes(committee member); Olly Williams, KarenHamer, and Kate Evans (Barclays); KateRoberts (RABI regional officer); Anne Roberts(committee member); Wayne Eaton (Barclays).Shropshire conference raffleCheshire showCheshire RABIcommittee memberBarbara Robertsand regional officerGeorgina Lambready for action atthe Cheshire Show,where RABI and theNFU raised £797selling cartons ofmilk, kindly donated by Robert Wiseman,bags of fruit and vegetables from the NFUunion jack display, hanging baskets, andChristmas cards.Berkshire summer dancePreparing Pimms for 200 guests was one ofthe first tasks for Berkshire committeemembers at their summer dance and auction.Held at Park Wall Lane, Lower Basildon,Berkshire, by kind permission of Mr & MrsSteljes, the splendid occasion raised £7,000.New Forest ShowThere were 36 teams taking part in the RABIgolf day at Driffield Golf Club, organised byDerek and Mary Lamplough. The winningteam, pictured above with Nick Mitchell(second from left), trading manager of theevent’s sponsor Cranswick plc, were N Bristow,D Hornshaw, A Carlton and G Johnson, with around of 86. With more than £750 taken onthe raffle, the day raised £5,000.Cream teas in CumbriaThere were plenty of takers for the cream teaafternoon hosted by Laura Wilson and herteam of hard working volunteers at her farm,Skirwith Hall, Penrith. With cakes beautifullyiced by Laura’s granddaughter and 24punnets of strawberries kindly donated byClaremont Farm, the afternoon raised £350for RABI.Looking after the raffle at Whitchurch-basedFieldfare Farmers’ conference on farming inthe future were RABI regional officer KateRoberts and local NFU staff. The event, heldat Dearnford Lake, attracted 130 delegatesfrom as far as Lancashire and Warwickshire,and the raffle raised £214 for RABI.Wellies in the WirralWelly wanging has become a regular featureat the annual Port Sunlight Village Festival onthe Wirral. Organised by RABI regional officerGeorgina Lamb and Wirral Food and DrinkFestival’s Andrew Pimbley, it has provedpopular with the festival goers for the pastthree years.The Massey Ferguson pedal tractor proved tobe a considerable attraction on the stand atthe New Forest Show. Thanks to the ShowSociety, RABI has been granted a free pitchfor as long as we wish to attend the annualthree-day show. The tractor raffle andChristmas cards sales raised over £500.Cycling through the forestThe first New Forest bike ride, organised byJane and Andrew Tasker and family with theHampshireRABIcommittee,attracted25 cyclists.The familyevent followed a 25-mile route through theforest ending with an excellent buffet lunchprovided by committee member NormaMorris. The successful day raised £500 and islikely to be repeated.13www.rabi.org.uk

Around the countryWiltshire cream tea survivesdownpourTorrential rain meant a last minute change ofvenue for the cream tea organised by AngelaBowerman and her family, at Pewsey HillFarm, from a marquee to a traditional woodbeamed barn. As well as an excellent tea, the90 guests were treated to a fascinating talkby retired royal dressmaker Mrs Rose,accompanied by occasional bleating from thelambs penned at one end of the barn! A mostmemorable day raised £1,200 for RABI.Lunch and a walk in the valleyCuddystone Hall in the College Valley was thevenue for the annual RABI Northumberlandsummer lunch, which raised over £1,000. Aswell as an excellent meal the 100 guests wereable to walk along the valley and enjoy thebeautiful scenery.DonationsAround the countryCornish CheeseNovelfundraisingin WiltshireIt’s not often thatfarming and crimewriting are linkedon the same menu,but they werewhen Melanie andJeremy Newmanheld a literaryluncheon for RABIin their convertedCotswold barn atWinkworth Farm,near Malmesbury. The 80 guests wereentertained by local authors Matthew Fortand Martin O’Brien (pictured above), and withsigned copies being sold for RABI the eventraised £720.Lunch on the racecourseOver 250 people gathered for the ShropshireNFU Chairman’s lunch at Ludlow Racecourse.With a very tasty welcome drink, a deliciousbuffet and an exciting promises auction, agood day was had by all. NFU chairman RobAlderson and Jen Parry worked extremelyhard collecting £6,000 for RABI.ASDA donationWorcestershire concertThe Curradine Barns at Shrawley, courtesy ofMr & Mrs John Ballard, provided a magicalatmosphere for the Worcestershire RABIconcert. An audience of over 80 were treatedto some excellent musical performances bysoloist Jennifer Simpson and the WorcesterMale Voice Choir. The concert raised £1,045.Ruby anniversary gala eveningA superbly decked out marquee awaited the160 guests who enjoyed the Surrey RABIcommittee’s 40th annual gala evening. Heldat Stumblehole Farm by kind permission, andwith the active support, of Martin andChristina Burton, it was an excellent occasiondespite the pouring rain. With an auction anda fantastic tombola the evening raised over£7,000.Wet day by the lake in KentDespite appalling weather, 90 people turnedup for what has become an annual hog roast,nature trail and fly fishing day at GoddingtonLake, organised by David and AndreeChantler, with the Kent committee.Notwithstanding the conditions, with a silentauction, raffle, and cake and plant stall, theevent raised more than £1,240.Warleggan wedding celebrationsDairy wholesaler Chris Taylor (bottom right)helped to raise hundreds of pounds for RABI bybuying the prize-winning cheeses from the RoyalCornwall Show which were donated to us by theCornish Guild of Smallholders. Chris is picturedhere with (front from left) son Rhys Taylor, guildchairman Joy Cheeseman, and (back from left)Cornwall committee treasurer John Saunter, PhilipStansfield of the Cornish Cheese Company, BryanCox from Davidstow Creamery, and Sam Meadfrom Lynher Dairies.ASDA staff raised an incredible £1,018 for RABIat the Royal Cornwall Show by selling producefrom their stand at the end of the three-dayevent. Pictured are regional officer PhilippaSpackman and ASDA’s senior trader Jim Viggars.Cheque from Devon NFUNFU members inNorth Devon raised£128 for RABI at adinner earlier thisyear and Bidefordgroup secretaryBrian Butlerpresented a chequeto regional officerPhilippa Spackmanat the Devon CountyShow.Customers of Warleggan’s Village GreensCommunity Shop dressed in their finery for aRoyal Wedding Breakfast and television screeningof the marriage of the Duke and Duchess ofCambridge in April, raising more than £200 forRABI in the process. Pictured (from left) areorganisers Liz Cox and baby Eva, Tony Hall, DerekWells and Jennie Dyke.YFC car wash cashRABI deputy chairman Bob Forster (right)received a cheque for £112 from Belper YFCchairman AlexBurrows at theDerbyshire RABISunday lunch. Thedonation had beenraised by a charitycar wash held byclub members.Diners at the lunch,held in the marquee at Alkmonton tractors nearAshbourne, were entertained by a local harpist.www.rabi.org.uk 14

DonationsLloyds TSB support in southwestColchester Agricultural ClubTractor run chequesLloyds TSB managers for Devon and Cornwall,David Platt and David Fowler, continued theirmuch-appreciated support by raising hundreds ofpounds for RABI from raffles at their corporateevents at both the Royal Cornwall and DevonCounty Shows. Pictured at the Royal CornwallShow is regional officer Philippa Spackman witha hamper presented by David Platt and MarkThomas.Sentry shoot chequeColchester and District Agricultural Club made adonation of £500 to RABI during the club’s'Summer Gathering' on Mersea Island, whichincluded a trip to the Mersea Island Vineyard andBrewery, followed by a BBQ at East Mersea Hall.Pictured is club member Tom Bradshaw (left)presenting the cheque to RABI regional officerBob Archibald.Ton for a TonThe £1,576 raised by the highly successfulannual East Yorkshire YFC tractor run, organisedby Jenny Sleigh and her parents, was sharedbetween RABI and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.Pictured receiving the cheques are RABI regionalofficer Sally Conner (left) from County YFCchairwoman Ellie Dawson and a Yorkshire AirAmbulance representative from Jenny Sleigh, withMr & Mrs Sleigh.Bank staff’s ongoing supportBlustery conditions ensured that Sentry’s annualCharity Flush Shoot at Chatteris in May proved achallenge for the 14 teams that took part. Thecompetition, which included a 50 bird sportingclay shoot, was won for the second consecutivetime by The Conservationists from Ixworth, nearBury St Edmunds. Pictured is the cheque for the£2,100 raised for RABI being presented at theRoyal Norfolk Show with (from left) Garry Sallis ofNatWest, RABI regional officer Bob Archibald,John Hall of Sentry, RABI regional welfare officerSally Hubbard, and John Barrett of Sentry.Lambing day donationThe annual lambing day held on Nigel and JanetRome’s farm at Morborne, raised over £450 forRABI. Pictured is Janet Rome presenting thecheque to the chairman of the RABICambridgeshire committee, Arthur Gee at theEast of England Show, with (from left) NigelRome and RABI Cambridgeshire committeemembers Christine and Stuart Bish.In 2010 Adams and Howling, grain merchants innorth east Norfolk, organised a ‘Ton for a Ton’grain donation to mark RABI’s 150th anniversaryand raised £4,500. Cyril Adams visited the RABIstand at the Royal Norfolk Show and presentedthe donation to Norfolk RABI committeemembers Carolyn Gay and Sally Mitchell.Derbyshire solicitors donatefeesRaising money by raffling a hamper was not theonly support that BRM Solicitors of Chesterfieldgave RABI at the Bakewell Show. They werepromoting a ‘Make a Will Campaign’ andundertook to donate to RABI the fees of anyonemaking a will during the campaign week.Lloyds TSB’s farming ambassador, Adam Hensonof BBC Countryfile fame, was on hand at theRoyal Welsh Show for the presentation of£6,000, the result of a number of fundraisingactivities so far this year by Lloyds TSB Agricultureand AMC staff. Pictured (from left) are AdamHenson; Erys Hughes, RABI regional officer;Julian Sayers, RABI chairman; and Gareth Oakley,Lloyds TSB Agriculture Director.Tapestry donated to RABIA beautiful tapestryof a pheasant hasbeen generouslydonated to BeaufortHouse by ElizabethOakes, from SouthPetherton. Therewere two reasonswhy Elizabeth, whoskilfully handstitched it herself, particularly wanted it to beused to raise money for RABI. Firstly she and herhusband David are retired Somerset farmers andsecondly because she went to Beaufort Housewhen it was a school some 65 years ago.Elizabeth said: “It was at the school that I learnttapestry, and it seemed appropriate for it to goto RABI to raise money for the residential homeat Burnham-on-Sea’.15www.rabi.org.uk

RABI 10k runners in London (and Ripon)Forty RABI runners took up the challenge of this year’s British 10k run in London, and one inRipon! There was the usual loyal contingent from Buckinghamshire, led by Alan Read whocompleted his seventh London 10k, as well as individuals from across the country includingrunners from Lloyds TSB Agriculture, Bidwells, NFU Mutual, Boehringer-Ingelheim, RABI’sManson House staff, and M G Communications Ltd.One runner unfortunately didn’t make it to London. The afternoon before the run CharlesBehrens’s father was taken into hospital in Yorkshire and the next morning he rode hismotorcycle from Northamptonshire to Ripon to see his family (the good news being that hisfather was going to be fine). However, in order not to disappoint his sponsors or let RABIdown, before riding back home he ran a measured 10k from his parent’s house to RiponCathedral and back. Definitely a 10k beyond the call of duty.Thanks are due to Sally Field for once again organising the post-run picnic and to RayStollery for his logistical support. With money still coming in the total raised so far is £4,000.8th to 15th October 2011Do something in your wellies this October.It can be as wild as you like as longas it is fun.The annual Welly Week fundraisingcampaign (now in its fourth year) raisessubstantial amounts for specialequipment, such as level access showers,house adaptations and specialist mobilityscooters and wheelchairs.Go wild in your wellies! To get afundraising pack either visit the website -www.rabi.org.uk - or contact MelanieMoughton on 01865 724931 / emailmelanie.moughton@rabi.org.uk.Dates for your diaryEvents organised by or for RABI (in bold) and shows where there will be an RABI presence.September1st2nd3rd3rd3rd-4th4th4th4th4th4th8th6th-7th10th10th10th10th-11th11th16th17th17th17th17th17th-18th18th18th18th19th19th-25th21st21st22nd23rd24th24th24th24th24th24th24th-25thBucks County ShowNational Golf Challenge - Oswestry GCKingsbridge ShowAlresford ShowDorset County Show, DorchesterManson House hog roastCream Tea aboard passenger boat ‘Sabrina’,ShrewsburyEssex Horse Ride, GalleywoodLancashire Sunday lunchCheshire Sunday lunchWestmorland ShowNational Dairy & Livestock Event, NECClay shooting at Copper Beeches,NottinghamshirePenistone ShowRomsey ShowHarvesting the Old Fashioned Way, Lavant,West SussexStratford-upon-Avon fun rideHarvest supper - LlansawelFarmhouse breakfast, Trethorne, LauncestonStokesley ShowIsle of Wight ploughing matchWeald of Kent ploughing match, Staplehurst,KentNewbury ShowCar boot sale, Dearnford Lake, Whitchurch,ShropshireAfternoon tea – Crug Glas, PembrokeshireThanksgiving service at Southwell MinsterNidderdale ShowHadrian’s Wall walkLaughton ploughing match, East SussexBingo evening - Carmarthen MartFlintham ploughing match, NottsDinner and speaker (Dilwyn Morgan), CaernarfonWest Yorkshire treasure huntCornwall Farmers' BallHarvest supper and entertainment, Talsarnau,GwyneddConcert (Parti Cut Lloi) and supper, Tafarn y Rhos,AngleseySouthwell ploughing match, NottsGransden ShowMasham Sheep Fair25th27th28th28th30thOctober1st1st-2nd1st-2nd2nd4th4th5th5th7th7th8th8th8-9th8-15th9th9th9th9th9th9th13th13th14th14th14th14th15th15th16th16th16th16thEssex Harvest Festival, ChelmsfordNorthants RABI Go karting at Whilton Mill,near DaventryCheshire ploughing matchEast Kent ploughing match, Gosmere Farm,Faversham, KentJoint FCN/RABI cheese and wine, Seagrave, LeicsHarvest supper/barn dance, Butcherlands Farm,Ebernoe, West SussexHarvest festival weekend and serviceWinchester Cathedral, HampshireEast Midlands food festival, Melton MowbraymarketHarvest Thanksgiving Service, CanterburyCathedralCoffee morning – Methodist chapel, NewtownEastern RABI regional conferenceSouth West Dairy ShowBrailsford ploughing match, DerbyshireDinner at Black Sheep BreweryCeilidh, Carlisle, CumbriaWelsh folk dance, Dinas MawddwyWelly pub crawl, BathBritish Ploughing Championships, BishopsLydiard, (RABI is charity of the year)Welly WeekAntiques event, Market Weighton, East YorksGloucester Cathedral Harvest ThanksgivingServiceWells Cathedral Harvest Thanksgiving ServiceEly Cathedral Harvest FestivalHarvest Festival at The Abbey, ShrewsburyEast of England Autumn ShowOxfordshire Harvest Festival, Steventon Church,OxfordshireHerefordshire NFU quiz, Wye Leisure, FownhopeCounty Durham Annual BallWorcestershire RABI/NFU Annual Dinner,WorcesterSuffolk Quiz EveningLancashire Songs of PraiseKent harvest supper, Amos Hall, Ashford, KentMersea Island ploughing matchBurpham Harvest Festival, West SussexBook Fair, BedaleLincoln Cathedral Harvest FestivalSt Giles in the Field, London, Harvest Festival1618th18th21st21st22nd22nd-23rd26th27th28th30th31stNovember2nd3rd4th11th11th12th-13th16th17th17th17th19th22nd26th-27th28th-29thDecember2nd-3rd4th5th6th6th7th7th8thLeicestershire RABI get together/recruitment eveningWelsh Dairy event – CarmarthenCumberland Night, CarlisleBingo night in DerbyshireHarvest supper and speaker – Letterston,Pembrokeshire (tbc)Countryside LiveFashion show, Hunmanby, East YorksPie and pea supper at Sneyd Arms, Whiston,StaffordshireRace night, KendalTractor run, WarwickEast Midlands RABI regional conferenceUK Grain, PeterboroughLeicester farmers marketHarvest supper, Upper Dicker Village Hall, EastSussexHoe down, LancashireHarvest supper – LlanwnnenNational Tractor Show, NewarkBingo evening – Carmarthen MartLeicestershire RABI skittles night - venue tbcFarming Conference, Malvern, WorcestershireEast of England Agricultural Society DinnerHampshire quiz night, Bishops Waltham VillageHall, HampshireSouth East Prime Fatstock Show, Ardingly, WestSussexAnglesey Winter FairRoyal Welsh Winter FairThe East of England Smithfield Festival,PeterboroughChristmas service, Welshpool Livestock CentreChristmas concert, Swinton, North YorksCarol/poetry evening, Isle of Wight LavenderFarmFarm Energy, PeterboroughManson House Christmas FayreAnnual draw at Shropshire NFU AGM, ShrewsburyNational Christmas carol service, Cumbria(For more details of these events contact the relevant RABIregional officer – see pages 10 and 11. Additional events arebeing added to the diary all the time - for up-to-dateinformation visit www.rabi.org.uk)www.rabi.org.uk