HERE - Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution

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