Warwickshire

Long Itchington YFC

February 2010

With the kind permission and valued support of farmers Mr Jim Reeve, Mr Mark Grimes and Mr John Smith, the group of 12 Long Itchington young farmers ploughed nearly 200 acres of land in non-stop shifts.

The event took place over the August Bank Holiday weekend and the whole club came together to support those working on the challenge, if they couldn’t plough they brought food for the boys to keep them going as they took on the mammoth challenge.

They raised £2000 to be split three ways. Some money will be invested in the club to help continue their active programme for the year and to buy some equipment, but most importantly the rest of the money raised will go to the nominated charities, which the club voted for: The RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute) and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. Both charities are fantastic organisations and so valuable in rural communities, both charities have special significance to the club and the Warwickshire Federation of Young Farmers.

With high profile sponsorship from Case IH who kindly agreed to loan us tractors, Dowesdewell Engineering Ltd who kindly agreed to supply the ploughs. Watson’s Fuel and Rix Petroleum supplied the club with diesel, and many people came forward with food hampers for the group including local businessman Aiden Reeve who kindly donated sausages for breakfast from his own rare breed pigs.

   

Farmhouse Breakfast Served Up at Stoneleigh

January 2010

The mass production of breakfasts was seen at the Jersey Society Building at Stoneleigh Park on Monday 25th January, to celebrate Farmhouse Breakfast Week.

The annual event received more demand than ever serving nearly 200 breakfasts plus over 70 take away orders, raising £2476.69 for charity. Food and catering supplies were kindly donated by local businesses, and many volunteers, including members of the Women’s Food and Farming Union, helped to cook, serve food and clear tables.

Regional Officer, Kate Roberts said, “The event was a huge success, and I was delighted to see so many people tucking into a hearty breakfast. A huge thank you must go to all those who contributed to the event, including Barclays Bank PLC who provided match funding”.

The funds raised will be equally split between RABI and the ARC-Addington Fund.

Smithfield Winner Donates Top Lamb to Charity

October 2009

Exhibitors who entered the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution Charity Sheep class for single lambs at last week’s AgriLive Smithfield raised over £1,500 for the charity.

Leading the way was Andrew Bishop from Eldersfield, Gloucestershire, who added to his success in the show’s supreme championship by taking the RABI perpetual trophy. His excellent Beltex lamb went on to sell for a top price of £500, a record for the class in which exhibitors donate the sale price to RABI.

The Bishop family were helped by RABI during the 2001 foot and mouth epidemic and, like many of the exhibitors, regard the class as a way of helping those less fortunate members of the farming community. “We were completely stuck during foot and mouth, surrounded by outbreaks”, said Andrew Bishop. “It cost us a fortune and RABI helped to feed the family until we got sorted out.

“The lamb I entered was probably the best one I had but it did not have a pair to match it for the other competitions. Entering it in the RABI class was all about putting something back for all the help we received when we needed it.”

Runner up for the RABI championship was a Dutch Texel exhibited by RJ Slade from Pembridge, Herefordshire, which sold for £175. The 13 entries represented a cross section of the breeds on show with more than half of them shown by exhibitors who had supported the class since its inception in 2004.

   

Stratford NFU Dinner

October 2009

At the Stratford NFU Dinner Kate Roberts was presented with a cheque for £1,800 from David Hodges.  This money was raised at the annual Stratford Fun Ride.

A big thank you to Sue Cook and everyone else who worked so hard organising this event.

Stratford & Studley YFC

October 2009

A big thank you must go to Stratford & Studley YFC for the very generous donation of £1500 from their fun ride held earlier this year.  They are planning to hold another one with around 300 horses next April.  Keep an eye on the RABI Official Facebook Group for more information.

Cycling Vets at Dairy Event

16 September 2009

Cycling vets and their life-size model calves made a spectacular entry in to the Dairy Event & Livestock Show judging ring at Stoneleigh to mark the completion of the XLVets charity bike ride 2009.

The calves had been transporting, from Orkney in the north and Penzance in the south, between XLVets’ 42 member practices across the country, with staff raising funds for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) and Farm Africa.

RABI president Lord Plumb was on hand to welcome them and receive a cheque for £10,000 from XLVets’ managing director David Black. Lord Plumb said: "This is a great effort by XLVets staff across the country which has raised considerable awareness, as well as much needed funds, for two worthy charities. They are to be congratulated on the originality of the ride and thanked for giving their time and effort to support those in need in the farming industry."

Throughout August and September staff cycled between practices raising money for the two farming charities on the way. For full details of the journey of the cyclists and the calves visit the XLVets website www.xlvets.co.uk

Stratford Fun Ride

September 2009

The annual Stratford Fun Ride organised by member of the Stratford Upon Avon NFU Branch  was once again a great success. After last years disappointment that it had to be cancelled we were thrilled at the good weather and turn out.

A big thank you to Sue Cook and Tony Cook and John Hutchings for their hard work in making this a great day.

     

Hog Roast

June 2009

The Warwickshire committee held a hog roast at Knightcote on the 20th June by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Refrews.  200 people attended raising over £1,800 for RABI.

      

Tel: 01630 638997 Mobile: 07876 492839 Email: kate.roberts@rabi.org.uk