Dorset

Dorset Steam Fair

September 2011

The annual RABI pre-show tour and BBQ on the eve of the Dorset Steam Fair, hosted by the Dorset committee honorary secretary Susan Hooper at the Old Dairy Yard, Tarrant Launceston, has become a much sought after event. This year some 100 guests enjoyed the tour of the show site on trailers drawn by tractors and steam engines on a beautiful summer evening. Local YFC members helped with the bar and ice creams were kindly sponsored by Barford Ice Cream. Over £1,900 was raised by the event.

Forde Abbey Summer Fayre Cheque Presentation

October 2011

Departing South West Regional Officer, Suzie Paton had one last duty with her replacement Pam Wills to collect a massive cheque of £22,500, the amount raised at this years Forde Abbey Summer Fayre. Once again the money will be split with Marie Curie Cancer Care.

From Farming to Fine Art

April 2011

Eighty supporters of R.A.B.I were treated to a private viewing of paintings, drawings, furniture and works of art held at Duke’s Fine Art Saleroom in Dorchester. The evening event on Wednesday 13th April also included a fascinating talk by Duke’s Auctioneer Guy Schwinge.

As well as arranging wine and canapés for their guests, the Dorset R.A.B.I. committee raised an amazing £1,000 for the charity, which supports farming families in hardship or in crisis.

Fiona MacEwen whose inspiration it was to run the event said “It’s been an extremely successful evening and whilst some are regulars to the auction room, for many it was a first visit. We are very grateful to Duke’s for opening up the saleroom exclusively for us.’

Those that attended had the opportunity to pay £1 and guess the final sale price of a rare Lowry painting, which made £80,000. The closest guesses won a meal for two at Plumber Country House Hotel and a family ticket to the Dorset Steam Fair.

Gillingham & Shaftesbury YFC

March 2011

Attending a cheese and wine evening at the Shaftesbury Art Centre, our Regional Officer Suzie Paton got the chance to meet members from the Gillingham and Shaftesbury YFC.

This time however they had their clothes on! The courageous members had bared all in photographs for a charity calendar, but poses were in a tasteful way with bales of straw or farm machinery carefully concealing their modesty.

Suzie received a cheque for £264.58 which represented 50% of the funds raised, which was shared equally between Dorset Air Ambulance and R.A.B.I.

From Farm to Table in Support of RABI

24 March 2011

Orchard Park continues its cookery demonstrations and courses on March 24th 2011 from 11am – 2pm with a demonstration by the award-winning Head Chef, Callum Keir of Holbrook House. Callum will demonstrate how to produce a delicious three-course menu cooked from the finest locally sourced ingredients from the Orchard Park Farm Shop.

From Farm to Table will raise funds for RABI.

Callum Keir is passionate about cooking with local and seasonal ingredients and will be making the most of what Orchard Park has to offer in March. Making use of meat from neighbouring Lagan Farm’s prize-winning rare breeds of cattle and sheep which includes one of the oldest breeds of cattle, the British White, the 200 year old Red Poll and one of the rarest breeds of cattle, the Irish Moiled. Their home-grown lamb comes from the Wiltshire Horn Sheep.

From Farm to Table will continue the variety of cookery demonstrations and tastings that Orchard Park Farm Shop is offering in 2011 to showcase the fine food on offer. We hope to inspire you in your kitchen and make entertaining easy, using locally sourced ingredients. In April we are offering bakery courses with Panary in time for Easter (8th & 15th April 2011) for adults and children and in May we will inspire you to get your barbecue going - revisit some old favourites and discover some new ideas for the perfect summer barbecue using Lagan Farm’s finest meat with Orchard Park butcher David Mortimer. Followed by a chance to sample everything straight off the bbq. The Orchard Park events will continue throughout the year with fresh and seasonal ideas, so keep an eye out for what is coming up.

For further details call 01747 835544, email farmshop@orchardpark.uk.net or visit www.orchardpark.biz

Farm and More 2011

January 2011

RABI attended the Farm and More 2011 farm diversification trade show at the Bournemouth International Centre in January. As well as an awareness raising exercise for RABI, the stand specifically promoted the diversification funding opportunity of our Gateway Project, which enables working farmers on low incomes to gain a qualification and create a valuable off-farm income stream.

During the event, Dave Rance of the Red Post Golf Society presented RABI Dorset Committee Secretary Susan Hooper with a cheque for £500 raised by the Dorset based society at their charity golf day in October. Dave revealed that; ‘despite torrential rain, there was a good team turn out at the Dorset Golf and Country Club in Bere Regis. A raffle and auction was held and local farmer Laurence Burgess providing the post golf entertainment in the style of the West Country comedian Jethro. RABI was one of three charities supported, and we are delighted to be able to present RABI with £500.'

Tel: 01749 838682 Mobile: 07825 336224 Email: pam.wills@rabi.org.uk