Devon

Devon Show

May 2010

There were record crowds and record temperatures at this year's Devon County Show. On the RABI stand the Devon committee's competition, inviting people to guess the use of old agricultural implements, attracted many ingenious replies!

On the opening day Devon committee chairman Celia Hyland was on local and national television and radio promoting the Devonshire Cream Tea; committee member John Smith was interviewed about the proposed badger cull; and throughout the week, regional officer Philippa Spackman preseented BBC Radio Devon's 'pause for thought' during the station's morning drive time programme.

Members of Lloyds TSB's south west agricultural team - who held a breakfast meeting during the show with a raffle which raised the magnificent sum of £340 for RABI, as well as promoting awareness of our work.

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There was a surprise for Devon RABI chairman, Celia Hyland, who has been responsible for the show's cookery demonstration kitchen for 14 years, when she was presented with an award for outstanding service.

Exeter Cathedral Service

May 2010

Devon's farming community gathered together with the county's civic leaders at Exeter Cathedral to mark RABI's 150th anniversary.

The Dean of Exeter, The Very Revd Jonathan Meyrick welcomed more than 300 guests to the service, which was led by the Bishop of Crediton The Right Revd Bob Evens and accompanied by the cathedral choir. Malcolm Stansfield, Professor of Agriculture at Reading University, gave the sermon.

Among those attending were the county's Vice Lord Lieutenant Sir John Cave, High Sheriff The Hon Mrs Elizabeth d'Erlanger, the Lord Mayor of Exeter Councillor John Winterbottom, the Chairman of Devon County Council Councillor John Berry, and RABI Chairman, Andrew Densham.

RABI Devon county chairman Celia Hyland said: "The service was a wonderful opportunity to give thanks for the importance and diversity of agriculture in Devon. It was also good to see so many people enjoy a Devonshire Cream Tea afterwards in the cathedral grounds.

I'd like to thank everyone who attended and worked so hard to make it an event to remember."

YFC & RABI come to Torquay

April 2010

The YFC annual convention arrived in Torquay with RABI in tow.  Regional Officers, Kate Roberts and Philippa Spackman were busy promoting Welly Week and some of the other events and challenges that are taking place this year.

A big thank you must go to Lionel Hill for being a fantastic sport and wearing his wellies all weekend as part of the Welly Week promotion.

Kate and Philippa

  Lionel hits the beach

Folk and Pasties

March 2010

The Dartmoor Pixie Band provided the entertainment at a fundraising folk and pasty supper at Tavistock Town Hall that raised more than £700 for RABI and Farm Crisis Network. Organised jointly for RABI's Devon committee and FCN by a team led by Pearl Dawe, the guests included Geoffrey Cox, MP for Torridge and West Devon, and his wife Jeanie.

     

Tel: 01872 500902 Mobile: 07919 478518 Email: p.spackman@rabi.org.uk