Somerset

South West Winter Fair

December 2011

At the South West Winter Fair at Sedgemoor Market Mr Robert Mann sold his steer 'Chunky' to raise funds for the RABI. The sale of Chunky was supported by the market and auctioneers Greenslade Taylor Hunt, and £450, 50% of the sale price, was kindly donated by Robert to RABI.

RABI a Bit Sheepish at The British National Ploughing Championships

The RABI stand at the British National Ploughing Championships in Bishops Lydeard attracted hundreds of visitors who wanted to enter the Guess the Weight of the Sheep competition. Two Beltex sheep owned by young farmer Harry Dibble weighed 75.2kg. The winner Helen Burton was absolutely delighted to scoop the £50 prize.

A total of 265 plough men and five plough women competed in the two-day event, which was attended by a large crowd of spectators. There were demonstrations of traditional ploughing with working horses through to modern techniques.

 

Tapestry Donated to RABI from an ex Pupil from Beaufort House

2011

Beaufort House was recently donated a beautiful tapestry of a pheasant which was generously given by Elizabeth Oakes from South Petherton who skillfully hand stitched it herself.

There were two reasons why she particularly wanted it to go to raise money for RABI. Firstly because she and her husband David are retired local Somerset farmers themselves and have two sons who are carrying on the farming business. Secondly, Elizabeth went to Beaufort House when it was a school some 65 years ago. Elizabeth said, ‘ It was at the school where I learnt tapestry, and it seemed appropriate for it to go to RABI to raise money for the residential home at Burnham-on-Sea’.

Beaufort House was quite a prestigious girls’ boarding school and Elizabeth remembered the school having about 150 girls aged between 10 and 18 years, and that she boarded in Garden House the Old Rectory wing which was one of four houses.

She also recalled when she went to the school for an interview and going down to the beach at Burnham on Sea with her parents. Whilst she was there she met a local resident who told them that ‘they didn’t think Beaufort would take farmers daughters!’

How wrong could they be!

Pen Mill Feeds Cow Pat Paddlers, Paddle to Success at the Sherborne Castle Dragon Boat Racing!

July 2011

Following a very fun and exciting day at the Sherborne Castle Country Fair, albeit one of the wettest and coldest days had for months, the team “Pen Mill Feeds Cow Pat Paddlers” battled it out against the other 27 teams racing to success and claiming the magnificent Chinese Dragon Trophy.

They raised over £1200 for RABI. It was their first year competing in the event and they managed to recruit a mixed team with staff members, family and friends from Pen Mill Feeds Ltd. Pen Mill Feeds Ltd is located on the Pen Mill Trading Estate in Yeovil; manufacturing and supplying dairy, cattle, sheep, pig and chicken feed to farmers throughout the South of England.

Laura Partridge from Pen Mill Feeds said ‘We have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the event and are already looking forward to next year’s competition where we hope to hold on to our title!’

 

 

            

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