Trevorva Affordable Housing - Vacancy
Jan 16, 2012 - 02:20 PM
Addington currently has a vacancy for a 2 bedroom end terraced barn conversion at its Affordable Rural Housing Courtyard Development, near Probus, Cornwall. Occupancy restrictions apply. Please contact the office 01926 620135 or email
for further details
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Wiltshires joining us for breakfast
Feb 02, 2012 - 02:05 PM
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Successful Warwickshire Breakfast
Feb 02, 2012 - 01:08 PM
The Jersey Cattle Society Pavilion at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, became the venue for another successful Farmhouse Breakfast event as part of Shake up your Wake up campaign last week. Organised to raise funds and awareness for the two farming charities RABI and Addington, the event was fantastically supported by guests and sponsors alike.
The cooking was expertly done by Farmers Fayre, managing to serve nearly 300 breakfasts/takeaway rolls with the Pavilion being full from 10am till 12.30pm. As all the food was generously donated, the funds raised on the day went straight to both charities and being match funded by Barclays, helped us reach over the £3000 mark which will be divided equally between the charities.
We would like to thank everyone who supported us including our suppliers Becks Butchers, DA Hobbins Eggs, Lower Clopton Farm Shop, Packington Pork, Hilltop Farm Shop, Gold Top Milk, Castle Butchers, Brethertons Solicitors, Farm Stay UK and Farmers Fayre.
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Stowmarket Plough Service
Jan 17, 2012 - 09:53 AM
The Fund was privileged again to hold a Plough Service in St Peter’s Church, Stowmarket. Our thanks go to Rev’d Michael Eden, the Churchwardens and everyone that made us so welcome. A procession gathered outside the Museum for East Anglian Rural Life, with friends from the museum in period costume and pulling a horse plough, accompanied by vintage tractors and machinery. After winding through the town the plough was brought into church to be blessed. Our thanks also go to Lisa Harris, Collections Manager at the museum for reading the first lesson and to Roy Barker, representing Suffolk farmers, for reading the second. We have been invited to return again next year on Sunday 13th January 2013. If you would like to hold a similar event in your church, we would be delighted to hear from you.
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Defra Minister supports Ruthvoes Barn Project
Dec 19, 2011 - 02:20 PM
L - R: James Hetherington, SmithsGore; Ian Bell, Addington Fund Director; Suzanne Johns, Owner Ron Bullock&Sons; Councillor Pat Harvey, Adam Birchall, Cornwall County Council; Russell Wheeler, Cornwall County Council Farms Dept.
Councillor Pat Harvey, Chair of Cornwall Council, today officially launched the start of work to convert a set of redundant farm buildings into four work/live units at Ruthvoes in Cornwall.
The Ruthvoes Farm Project is the latest initiative of Addington Fund to support the farming community. The affordable units will create new business opportunities across the age spectrum and invigorate a local rural community strongly influenced by second-home ownership.
This project only goes ahead because of access to funding from the Rural Development Programme for England which is contributing €500,000 towards the cost of developing the work places.
Defra Minister, Jim Paice said,
“This is exactly the sort of project we want to encourage. A shortage of suitable work premises is a key challenge for many rural businesses and it’s great to see these disused farm buildings being put to good use for the local community.
“As we announced in our rural growth review, we’re cutting red tape to make it easier to turn farm buildings to business uses that support new opportunities for rural enterprises like in Ruthvoes.”
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Back to Business
Nov 29, 2011 - 02:33 PM
Martin Redfearn, Head of Agriculture at Barclays
Addington Fund were privileged to welcome Martin Redfearn, Head of Agriculture at Barclays, to the charity’s Warwick headquarters last week as part of the banks’ Back to Business project.
The Scheme which encourages every member of staff to spend a day out in business with one of their clients or interested parties, meant Addington Trustees and panel members where able to listen to Mr Redfearn’s view of the industry today, and his predictions for the next ten years. Other topics up for discussion included a review of Addington’s structure and grant application process.
The Fund continue to benefit from Barclays’ Match funding, which recently meant the charity were able to ‘top up’ the funds raised at an exit collection at September’s Dairy Event and Livestock Show in Birmingham. Barclays were also Principal Sponsor of the Event.
We are extremely grateful to Martin and the Agricultural team at Barclays for their continued support and look forward to developing the relationship further to the benefit of the agricultural industry
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Advent- A New Beginning
Nov 28, 2011 - 03:59 PM
We began Advent yesterday with an Advent Carol Service at All Hallow’s Church, Seaton, in Rutland. Our thanks to everyone connected with All Hallows, the Lyddington Benefice and special thanks to Reverend Jane Baxter for all her help. It was a very enjoyable service, with contributions from many farmers and representatives of farming organisations, rounded off with tea in the village hall.
Listening to ‘Pause for Thought’ on the radio this morning, the speaker reflected that ‘Advent was the start of a new beginning which allowed the light to shine forth’. It did make me think about the role of Addington, especially through our housing work.
The farming families we encounter only want to do one thing-farm; yet circumstances mean this is no longer possible. It is a huge wrench to accept a complete change in lifestyle and for some it seems incomprehensible not to have the farm and everything that goes with it. It is fascinating to see the change that occurs in just about all the families we help in a relatively short time after they move home; and in a very positive way. Last Monday we signed contracts to start work on our new development of work/live units at Ruthvoes in Cornwall. These combinations of affordable home and workplace will hopefully give more families the chance of a new beginning.
More information about our Ruthvoes development can be found by clicking on ‘new projects’. Any financial support you might be able to give to our latest project will make a real difference to a family now and again and again in the future. I assure you that every donation we receive will be used to create more life changing opportunities and not used to cover any administrative expenses.
Ian Bell, OBE FRAgS
Fund Director
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Church Support at Harvest Time
Nov 23, 2011 - 12:45 PM
Harvest Festivals create a poignant time to reflect on all that farmers do to give the British public such a vast food supply, and in turn maintain the beautiful landscape we so often take for granted. This year Addington has been overwhelmed by the generous support of Churches across England and Wales, and since September has received a staggering £5190.64 from collections at harvest festivals and dinners.
Since its inception in 2001, Addington has been proud to maintain the ethos of the late Canon Richard Addington, that any hardship grant should be accompanied by the offer of local pastoral support.
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New RDPE Fund for Rural Businesses
Nov 11, 2011 - 10:54 AM
A new £20m fund to boost profits for rural businesses and reduce their impact on the environment has been launched by Agriculture Minister Jim Paice.
The Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme (FFIS) forms part of Defra’s Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and will be open to farming, forestry and horticultural businesses.
Eligible businesses can apply for grants of up to £25,000 for projects linked to Animal Health and Welfare, Nutrient Management, Water Resource Management, Energy Efficiency and Forestry.
Information about the grant including the application handbook can be found at:-
http://rdpenetwork.defra.gov.uk/news-and-publications/defra-news/20-million-for-farming-and-forestry-businesses
The application form will be available on the site from the 16th November 2011.
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Mole Valley Farmers Provide Warmth to Farming Charity
Nov 08, 2011 - 10:26 AM
MVF Store Manager Paul Tipett presents Addington Fund Director Ian Bell with the multi fuel stove.
Leading rural retailer Mole Valley Farmers is supporting the Addington Fund, a farming charity that provides homes for farming families in need, by donating a Hamlet Solution 5 multi fuel stove worth over £560 to a housing project in Cornwall just in time for the colder months.
Commencing what is hoped will be a long standing partnership, Mole Valley Farmers and the Addington Fund joined together at the St Columb branch Heating Event Day, where Business Centre Manager Paul Tippett presented the stove to Addington Fund Director Ian Bell.
Ian Bell, Addington Fund Director said, “This is an incredibly generous gesture from Mole Valley Farmers, which will provide a practical solution to heating one of our affordable farming family homes in Cornwall. At a time of rising energy costs, this will have a major impact on the standard of living for one of our tenants.”
The stove donated by Mole Valley Farmers will go to a major housing project in Cornwall which will see the creation of four new affordable work and live space units for farming families. Launched at this year’s Cornwall Farm Business Awards, the project working in conjunction with Cornwall County Council, will see the redundant buildings of Ruthvoes Farm near Indian Queens completely re-generated, providing viable business options to local farm businesses and families.
Graham Venning, Mole Valley Farmers Product Manager said, “We are delighted to be able to support the Addington Fund by donating a multi fuel stove, which will keep a family’s fuel bills down. We hope to continue our partnership with this important charity into the future”
Mole Valley Farmers prides itself on the continued commitment and close relationships it has built up with the farming community over 50 years and this year’s partnership with the Addington Fund reinforces this commitment .
To find out more about Mole Valley Farmers heating products visit http://www.molevalleyfarmers.co.uk
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Addington’s Harvest Celebrations
Oct 17, 2011 - 09:17 AM
The beautiful St Marys Church in Warwick, a very fitting venue for the Fund’s 10th Anniversary harvest celebrations.
Addington Fund were extremely fortunate last week to be able to use the beautiful St Mary’s Church in the heart of Warwick for their Harvest Celebration Service. The event, which added to the Fund’s 10th Anniversary celebrations gave prayer, thanksgiving and blessing to all those that have helped the Fund since its inception in 2001.
The Service was opened by Revd Dr Vaughan Roberts, Rector at St Mary’s who also bestowed us the use of the Church’s choir, giving a wonderful atmosphere to the rural themed hymns.
Addington were lucky enough to be welcomed by two Bishops at the Event which took place on Tuesday 11th October. Rt Revd John Stryoan, Bishop of Warwick who is also a trustee of the Fund joined forces with Rt Revd Anthony Priddis, former Bishop of Warwick but more recently of Hereford. Bishop Anthony gave a wonderful Harvest Address, reflecting on how the farming industry has changed in the last 10 years.
We are extremely grateful to Revd Canon Barbara Clutton who was instrumental in putting the Service together. Barbara is a great friend of Addington and will also be leading our annual Advent Carol Service in Monks Kirby from 7pm on the 1st December 2011. If you would like to join us, you would be made most welcome.
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Brighten up your Garden & help farming families
Oct 06, 2011 - 11:20 AM
We have some beautiful St Keverne Daffodil bulbs for sale, a traditional yellow trumpet with a long wide cup, very early flowering in March to April.
They have been kindly donated by Maurice Crouch growers in Cornwall, with all proceeds going towards the work of the Addington Fund.
Various quantities available - 20 bulbs available for £5 from our online shop http://www.addingtonfund.org.uk/shop/ Price includes postage and packaging
We have bags of 50 priced £7.50 and a 15kg bag (approx 300 bulbs) for £20.00 available for collection from our offices, or by any other means!! Please contact
to discuss.
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Addington Needs your Votes!
Oct 03, 2011 - 04:51 PM
We have recently submitted our latest affordable housing venture in Cornwall to the Natwest Community Force Project. Successful projects can win up to £6000, but we can’t do this without your votes! To help us in our bid to get the funding we would really appreciate 5 minutes of your time to vote.
Simply, log on to our project by clicking this link:
http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/1789
You will need to register as a user for the Natwest Community Force Project, by submitting your name, email and a password. They will send you an email to verify you as a user, which will contain a link back to their site. Find our project by using the link provided above or search for ‘Ruthvoes’ in the project tab…. and then get voting!
Hope you can help us, we would really appreciate it!
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New Category at the 2012 Cornwall Farm Business Awards
Oct 03, 2011 - 02:45 PM
Western Morning News are pleased to announce a new category for the Best Farm Contractor at the 2012 Cornwall Farm Business Awards. Nominations are now welcome for the award, which will be announced at a ceremony taking place on Thursday 23rd February in Wadebridge.
The award, which aims recognise the valuable contribution made by Cornwall’s farm contractors to the local farming economy, will be sponsored by Francis Clark with Winter Rule.
Robert Cowie, a Rural Services Partner at the firm, commented “Having actively supported these awards since their inception two years ago, we are delighted to sponsor this category in recognition of the value provided by farm contractors to the economy in terms of employment and the provision of flexible support to the farmer in what is a highly capital intensive industry.
The recent merger of the two accountancy practices, Francis Clark and Winter Rule, adds significant strength to the accountancy and tax support available from the combined firm to farmers and rural businesses throughout Cornwall and the South West”
The Cornwall Farm Business Awards, now in their third year, have become a firm fixture in Cornwall’s farming calendar and continue to profile the important work of organisers The Addington Fund in the county.
“Farming is a highly skilled and capital intensive business. The Farm Contactor plays a significant role within many agricultural businesses, both large and small. I am delighted that Francis Clark with Winter Rule wish to recognise the Best Farm Contractor in Cornwall” said Addington Fund’s Director Ian Bell
If you know a contractor deserved of the award, please contact Robert Cowie on
for a nomination form.
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A Country Christmas
Sep 20, 2011 - 03:06 PM
This year’s collection of country themed Christmas cards are now on sale! All proceeds from the cards will be spilt between the Farming Help charities and Marie Curie Cancer Care.
To view the beautiful collection and to place your order please visit http://www.societycards.co.uk
They have proved to be extremely popular on the show circuit, so don’t leave it too long and be disappointed!
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Exit Collection raises £1545.01 for Addington
Sep 14, 2011 - 03:29 PM
An exit collection which took place at last week’s Dairy Event and Livestock Show in Birmingham raised an outstanding £1545.01 plus a few Euros for the farming Charity Addington Fund.
The total which will be specifically used for the Fund’s latest housing projects at Ruthvoes, included a generous donation from Barclays Agriculture – the events Principal Sponsor.
Our thanks go to organisers RABDF and o everyone who helped at the collection including local supporters John and Brenda Semple, the team at Barclays and a number of staff from Lodders in Stratford Upon Avon.
For details on the housing project in Ruthvoes, Cornwall please click on the link below and don’t forget to follow Addington on their Twitter and Facebook pages – just click on the icons at the top of the page.
http://www.addingtonfund.org.uk/current-projects/more/ruthvoes-barns-project/
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Rural farm project gets £10,000 support
Sep 14, 2011 - 02:08 PM
One of the redundant buildings that will be converted into affordable housing thanks to generous contributions from donors such as Cornish Mutual
A project in Cornwall to provide affordable housing and workspace for farming families is receiving £10,000 worth of funding from rural insurance firm Cornish Mutual.
The company, which is based in Truro, is making the significant donation to farming charity the Addington Fund to put towards supporting the conversion of a single storey building to a workshop at the Ruthvoes Farm Project, near Indian Queens.
Cornish Mutual has a long and proud history of working within the rural community and supporting families and activities in communities in which their Members live. The company has also previously given financial support to the Addington Fund.
The site was purchased by the Addington Fund from Cornwall Council and planning permission was granted for four work/live units, providing viable business options to local farm businesses and families.
The redundant buildings include an old barn that will be converted into four new family homes, an old single storey building which will become a new workshop, and alongside this there will be three more workshops.
There is also sufficient land to create a land-based business on the site. Ground source heating will provide heat for the whole site and solar panels will be installed on the roof of the new build workshop complex.
Alan Goddard, Managing Director of Cornish Mutual, says: “This is such a worthwhile scheme that we couldn’t not be involved in helping the Addington Fund to bring this fantastic project at Ruthvoes Farm near Indian Queens to fruition. Farming families are the absolute lifeblood of the rural community in Cornwall and as a mutual organisation; we are firmly committed to supporting any initiative that will make a real difference for future generations.”
This is the second project of its kind embarked on by the Addington Fund. In 2006, the charity successfully completed its first affordable housing development in Cornwall. The Trevorva project created five affordable homes from three redundant barns targeted at retired tenant farmers.
Ian Bell, the Addington Fund’s Director, adds: “We are extremely grateful to Cornish Mutual for their generous contribution to the Addington Fund for the regeneration of Ruthvoes Farm and would like to thank them for all their support. We have already received enquiries from three farming families and we are confident this development will have a very positive impact by bringing four working families into a community which is becoming very influenced by second-home owners.”
The total cost of the project will be in the region of £1.2 million, with £422,000 coming from the South West RDA towards the cost of developing the workshop element of the scheme.
The charity will need to secure all funding before building work on the project can commence. The estimated date for completion is 2013.
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Wind, Rain and Bacon Butties at Westmorland
Sep 12, 2011 - 05:35 PM
Guests enjoy Bacon butties and coffee courtesy of Killington Marquees and Davis and Bowring Land Agents
Despite the soggy weather, a huge crowd warmed up with coffee and bacon butties at Westmorland Show last week. Held in the Killington Marquee’s Wedding tent, the event attracted over 100 people and has become an annual fixture in the Addington Calendar.
Fund Director Ian Bell commented “Breakfast is an ideal start to welcome the many supporters of Addington to the show and to engage with those who have never come across the charity. We are extremely grateful to Andy and the team from Killington Marquee’s who continue to support us at Westmorland and the many other events they organise through their event management company Fusion Events.”
The event was generously sponsored by Land Agents Davis and Bowring, and we are thankful to everyone who donated to Addington at the event.
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Claudia Winner Announced
Aug 17, 2011 - 10:43 AM
Claudia poses for pictures yesterday, with winner Caroline Greenslade joined by Sue Bryan from Riverside Feeds and Brian Adams
The Greenslade Family of Ponchydown Dairy in Cullompton are the winners of the Addington Guernsey Heifer raffle drawn last week.
The heifer which has been kept and shown by Brian and Sheila Adams near Langport, has scooped first prizes at Devon, Cornwall and Bath and West Shows, as well as clinching best in-calf heifer at Shepton Mallet.
The project began in Spring 2010 when John Berry, former Chairman of the English Guernsey Cattle Society, donated Aber Showtime Dancer 5 (more affectionately known as Claudia) to the farming charity.
The raffle has raised a fantastic £3940 for charity which assists farmers in financial crisis as well as providing housing for those needing to leave or retire from the industry with no other option available to them.
Ian Bell, Fund Director commented “Our extended thanks go to everyone who has taken an interest, been involved or bought at ticket in this unique project. The money that Claudia has raised will go directly towards supporting Britain’s Families. Please be assured that no donation made to Addington will be used on running costs”
The charity are indebted to the projects sponsors, not least Riverside Feeds who have supplied all of Claudia’s feed for the last year.
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Addington - Independent of State Funding
Aug 03, 2011 - 02:17 PM
Over the last twenty four hours there has been quite a lot of news coverage given to charities that are having their funding severely reduced due to local government funding cuts. The Addington Fund does NOT rely on any statutory funding to cover the general running costs of the organisation. We are benefiting from EU/Defra funding streams in the South-West, but this is for specific work that will INCREASE the capacity of the Fund.
Fund Director Ian Bell comments “Channel 4 News last night had some interesting interviews which questioned the business ability of charitable organisations. I never make any apology for saying the Addington Fund is run like a business-it has to.
“When we started our housing work in 2002 we had a unique opportunity to create a long-term viable charity and the business model we adopted nine years ago still works. We have the ability to generate sufficient income to cover the day to day expenses of staffing and running the office and maintaining and insuring our growing property portfolio.
“We do receive donations specifically to cover certain costs, apart from which, I assure you that every penny of every donation reaches the families for whom it is intended”
Strict financial management means Addington are in a good position to be able to incorporate other charities, such as in the recent case of The Cheshire Rural Trust, and can look to taking additional loan capital from other charities such as The Jersey Cattle Society of the United Kingdom and the National Farmers Union (NFU).
If you would like to discuss any aspect of the Addington Fund, please feel free to contact us on 01926 620135 or keep update by following us on Facebook or Twitter
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Warwick-United-Kingdom/Addington-Fund/197623916925155
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/#!/AddingtonFund
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A New Look Addington goes on Tour!
Jul 26, 2011 - 03:37 PM
The sun shone for the Addington breakfast at the Game Fair
After a very busy start to the show season in the South West, the Addington Team have just come back from another fantastic Game Fair at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. Strutt and Parker once again hosted the charity on their stand which included a breakfast reception after the event’s Sunday morning service.
The Game Fair attracted an audience of 148,500 and it seems most of them attended the Friday evening drinks reception on the Strutt and Parker stand. Champagne was flowing and it gave us a great opportunity to discuss Addington’s work with the many farmers and landowners attending.
The next stop is Nantwich Show in Cheshire tomorrow to launch the new partnership between Cheshire Rural Trust and Addington. More details about the recent merge are posted in the latest news section of our website.
We are looking forward to catching up with some paperwork in August and getting ready for some major events in the farming calendar in September. We have just been told by RABDF that we will be the chosen charity for an exit collection at the Dairy Event and Livestock Show which is fantastic news. Expect to see all of us here at Addington shaking a bucket to raise money for our new work/live affordable housing project in Cornwall.
Straight after the Dairy Event and Livestock Show we are off up north to Westmorland Show – if you are visiting please pop in for a coffee and bacon butty in the Killington Marquee’s stand. We are hoping for a drier Bucks County Show than in 2010, and will be teaming up with Strutt and Parker once again to offer breakfast or a respite from the rain!!
You may have noticed some changes on our website and branding which is being gradually introduced. We have designed new leaflets, promotional banners and stationary which has been tailored specifically for us by our friends at Ware Anthony Rust. Hopefully you will agree that our new image reflects the professional way in which we (try to) approach our work supporting Britain’s farming families.
Finally, we have gone all out online! You will now find us regularly updating our Facebook and Twitter pages – follow us by using the links and find out what we are up to and where you will meet us across the UK.
http://twitter.com/#!/AddingtonFund
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Addington-Fund/197623916925155
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Addington Fund Announces Incorporation of Cheshire Rural Trust
Jul 26, 2011 - 12:53 PM
A new partnership between farming charities Addington Fund and Cheshire Rural Trust will be officially launched at Nantwich Show this week.
Over the last twelve months Addington have been in talks with the trustees of the Cheshire Rural Trust (CRT), an organisation that has many similar attributes to the Addington Fund and in a bid to cut the operational costs of the CRT the charities will now work together.
Addington will continue to recognise the CRT as a restricted fund and work to increase the level of fundraising and awareness of the grants that they can offer and of what Addington can provide through their Strategic Rural Housing Scheme. Every penny of every donation Addington receives reaches the families for whom it is intended – they do not use any donated income to cover any running cost whatsoever.
Ian Bell, Fund Director comments “It is often assumed, quite wrongly, that Cheshire is a very wealthy county and that the need for organisations like CRT and Addington is unnecessary.”
He continues “It is a very fine line between a farm business succeeding or not succeeding, and it is often a factor outside of the control of the family; the collapse of Dairy Farmers of Britain, Bovine Tb or a broken arm that prevents you milking cows. We are particularly keen to assist the essentially viable farm business cope with a short-term problem.”
Addington’s housing initiatives are in place to cope with families having to leave their farms because of more serious and long-term problems; fatal accidents, heart attacks, suicide and cancer are just a few instances that the Charity sadly sees too often. More recently they have also provided opportunities to farming families to acquire their retirement home through a shared-equity arrangement.
It is hoped that the incorporation of the charities will not only reduce costs but increase the awareness of problems faced by faming families in Cheshire.
The launch event will take place on the Strutt and Parker Stand at Nantwich Show on the 27th July 2011.
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Charity Visit to the National Collection of Rambling Roses
Jun 28, 2011 - 11:34 AM
Ian Bell (Addington Fund Director) with Henry Elwes (Immediate Past Lord Lieutenant for Gloucestershire) and Henry Robinson (Host and Vice-President of the CLA)
Nearly 100 guests joined farming charity Addington Fund and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) last week to view the National Collection of Rambling Roses, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Henry Robinson at Moor Wood in Woodmancote near Cirencester.
The tour followed the Gloucestershire CLA AGM, where Addington guests were welcomed at the close of the meeting with a summer evening drinks reception and canapés.
The rain held off for the occasion, which also marked the 10th Anniversary of the Addington Fund, which provides homes for farming families needing to leave the industry and emergency grants in times of crisis.
Fund Director Ian Bell commented “We are very privileged to view this outstanding collection of rambling roses, and our sincere thanks go to the Robinson family as well as to the South West CLA for allowing us to take part in the AGM.”
The event raised over £1,300 for the charity, which will go directly towards helping farming families in need. In Gloucestershire alone the Fund has distributed over £169,000 in the last 10 years, and since its inception has not used a single penny of donations towards administration costs.
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Farming: An Urban Perspective travels North to Duncombe Park
Jun 23, 2011 - 09:36 AM
Guests enjoy Strutt and Parker’s hospitality at Duncombe Park - home to Lady Feversham
Addington were delighted to team up with Strutt and Parker once again last month to display our popular photographic exhibition at the beautiful Duncombe Park in North Yorkshire.
Nearly 150 guests attended the magnificent venue, with kind permission of Lady Feversham and Jake Duncombe.
The photographs exhibited were taken by London-based fashion photographer Kevin Foord in various rural locations in Britain over the last five years. Together with the captions by writer Richard Benson they sum up much of the day-to-day beauty of the British countryside, and capture the sort of people the Addington Fund has sought to help since its inception in 2001.
Ian Bell, Fund Director comments “The Addington Fund with Foord and Benson went to exhibit these pictures in London, and it was our hope that they would show the everyday reality of farming life rather than the cosy, idealised version seen on television. That didn’t mean they would be unattractive – far from it. It just meant showing the muck as well as the magic, and trying to communicate the daily hard work and dedication that goes into putting food on the nation’s tables. From the response we had from the press and public in London, I think it is fair to say we succeeded”
This perspective on the subject is fitting; the Addington Fund exists to help families who find themselves having to cope with some of the very harshest realities of farming life. Set up as the Churches’ response to Foot and Mouth Disease and now in its tenth year, the Fund supports viable farming families financially through difficult times, and provides homes for families needing to exit or retire from the industry. The Fund still adheres to the philosophy of the late Canon Richard Addington, that any form of financial support should be matched to the provision of local pastoral support from a person who understands farming.
Ian continues “Looking back over the last ten years, these contacts and the help from unexpected quarters is one of the aspects of our work that seems most precious and important to me. In the early days, I was taken aback by it. We have received countless donations from town- and city-dwellers, endless support from people of all ages and backgrounds. Indeed, of the people behind these pictures, Benson has a farming background, while Foord is a dedicated urbanite. It doesn’t really matter; what links us all is an appreciation of the British countryside, and the contribution that farming makes to it. It’s this appreciation that I hope will sustain us through the next ten years. As well as helping those facing hardship, we also want to help to build British farming, and to make it an industry that future generations can be proud of”
Our sincere thanks go to Strutt and Parker who continue to be great supporters of our work and the families we help.
If you would like to receive a copy of the brocuhure detailing the photographs from the night please contact Laura Dickinson on
Don’t forget to ‘like’ us on Facebook by using the link at the top of the page and receive regular updates on what Addington has been up to.
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Sunshine and Celebration for Addington in Cornwall
Jun 13, 2011 - 10:51 AM
Ian Bell welcomed over 250 guests to a reception at Royal Cornwall Show last week.
The sun shone for Addington as we welcomed over 250 guests to a BBQ and Drinks reception at Royal Cornwall Show to celebrate our 10th Anniversary. The reception was generously sponsored by Stephens Scown Solicitors and hosted by the Country Land and Business Association.
Friends and colleagues were welcomed by Phil Reed of Stephens Scown, and given a background to the Fund by Director Ian Bell. An exit collection raised over £1300 which will go directly to helping farming families in Cornwall through our new work/live project in Cornwall.
The project, which will see the construction of four affordable homes paired with workshop units will enable small business in the area to rent business premises, which may otherwise be out of their reach.
For more details on the project please click on the following link: http://www.addingtonfund.org.uk/current-projects/
Celebration continued in the cattle lines as the Funds’ Guernsey heifer scooped first prize in the in-calf heifer classes, making it a hat-trick for the heifer at the South West shows. Raffle tickets where you have the chance to win the heifer, or £1,000 are now on sale priced £20.00. Please contact Laura Dickinson on 01926 620135 or email
for more details.
For more information on our generous supporters, you may which to visit their websites which are detailed below:
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) http://www.cla.org.uk
Stephen Scown Solicitors http://www.stephens-scown.co.uk
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Farming Help at Suffolk Show
Jun 06, 2011 - 01:53 PM
Ian Bell and Richard Percy at the Suffolk Show breakfast reception
The Addington Fund continues to play a role in ‘Farming Help’, working alongside our colleagues in Farm Crisis Network and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust has made a huge contribution to the three charities though Farming Help over recent years, and for the last five years has hosted a breakfast reception to promote our work. For the first three years the breakfast was held on the first day of the Royal Show. Last year we went regional to the Great Yorkshire Show and this year the event was held at Suffolk Show, hosted by Richard Percy, Vice-Chairman of the NFU Mutual.
Ian Bell, Fund Director commented “On behalf of all three charities we express our gratitude to the NFU Mutual and the NFU Charitable Trust for the continuing support we receive.”
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Dancer Does the Double for Addington
Jun 06, 2011 - 10:40 AM
Claudia meets HRH The Countess of Wessex at Royal Bath and West Show last week
Addington’s Guernsey heifer, Aber Showtime Dancer 5 claimed top spot at both Devon Show and Royal Bath and West Show in the in-calf heifer classes. More affectionately known as Claudia, the heifer also clinched champion Guernsey heifer at the Bath and West Show, bringing home an impressive array of rosettes and silverware.
She also attracted the attention of a special guest, Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex, the current President of the Royal Bath and West Society who made time to pose for pictures with the animal.
The Fund is selling raffle tickets priced £20 where you will be in with a chance of taking Claudia back to the farm, or the cash equivalent of £1000.
Tickets will be available at the Royal Cornwall Show this week, or by contacting Laura Dickinson on 01926 620135 email –
The Fund is indebted to Brian and Sheila Adams who look after the animal at their farm in Curry Rivel and to John Berry who donated the animal last year.
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Addington Fund 10th Anniversary Service
May 26, 2011 - 10:19 AM
Their Royal Highnesses meet Ian Bell, Fund Director and Sheila Cole, Chairman at the Anniversary Service.
The Fund was honoured by the presence of Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, at a service in The Queen’s Chapel of The Savoy to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the charity. Lessons were read by His Grace The Duke of Westminster, and Mr Follett Balch (Master of The Worshipful Company of Farmers). The address was given by Sir Don Curry. The Reverend Peter Galloway (Chaplain The Queen’s Chapel of The Savoy) officiated and The Right Reverend John Stroyan Bishop of Warwick (Trustee ARC-Addington Fund) gave the Blessing.
Ian Bell, Fund Director remarked “The Service was a wonderful occasion to thank many of our supporters and a recognition that Addington still respects the wishes of the late Canon Richard Addington that the church provides vital pastoral support to the rural sector”
“We were honoured to welcome His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall as our principal guests. It will always be impossible to find an adequate way of thanking His Royal Highness for the support he has given Addington over the last 10 years”
Guests at the Service also included, Earl Peel (Lord Chamberlain), Lord Dulverton, Lord Iliffe (Patron ARC-Addington Fund), Lord Plumb of Coleshill, Sir David Brewer (Lord Lieutenant for Greater London) and Lady Brewer. Lady Curry, Hon Mrs Rupert Soames (Vice-Patron ARC-Addington Fund), Mrs Sheila Cole (Chairman of Trustees ARC-Addington Fund) and His Honour Richard Cole, Colonel David King (Clerk Worshipful Company of Farmers), Mr Paul Clarke (Chief Executive The Duchy of Lancaster), Mr Reg Haydon (Vice-Patron ARC-Addington Fund), Mr Richard Holland (Chairman The Farmers Club) and Mrs Holland, Mrs Balch, Commodore Anthony Morrow (Clerk Worshipful Company of Butchers), Air Commodore Stephen Skinner (Secretary The Farmers Club), Mr and Mrs Andy Martin and Mr Raymond Sykes.
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Addington Supporter Gets on His Bike!
May 16, 2011 - 01:54 PM
Friend of Addington, Graham Hilton will be riding across Britain from John O’Groats to Lands End to raise money for the Addington Fund.
Graham leaves John O’Groats on the 11th of June and arrives in Lands End on the 19th, as part of the Deloitte Ride Across Britain. The total distance of the ride is 1000 miles, which equated to 110 miles a day for 9 days, and sleeping in tented villages in between. As well as all the normal complications faced by a journey of such distance, Graham will also be riding his fathers 45 year old hand built Bob Jackson bicycle, which has just been renovated by Bob Jackson, (unlike the rider!)
Graham’s connection with Addington started when he was Managing Director of Prime Molasses (a supplier of molasses to the animal feed trade), since when he has worked closely with the NFU and a number of farmer owned businesses on the development and promotion of biofuels.
We would like to wish Graham the best of luck in the ride, and thank him for his tremendous support.
To sponsor Graham please visit his donating page on Just Giving – http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-hilton
Any donation, however small will go directly toward supporting Addington
Some interesting facts about the Deloitte Ride Across Britain-
During the 2010 Deloitte RAB the riders:
• cycled a combined distance of 597,000 miles
• burnt a combined amount of 14,160,000 calories
• climbed a combined height of 40,700,000 feet
• consumed a combined amount of 31,573 nutrition products
During the 2010 Deloitte RAB the crew:
• put up and took down 5,500 tents
• hammered in and pulled out 33,000 tent pegs
• inflated and deflated 7,000 mattresses
• spent a combined amount of approximately 4,000 hours creating the tent zones
• set up and took down 3.2km of bike racking
• spent 504 hours massaging riders
During the 2010 Deloitte RAB the riders and crew consumed:
• 200kg porridge
• 300kg pasta
• 800kg scrambled eggs
• 20,000 bananas
• 46,000 litres of water
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Opening Celebrations for New Addington Offices
May 16, 2011 - 12:53 PM
Mr Martin Dunne reveals a plaque to official open the new Addington offices
The team at Addington were delighted to welcome friends and colleagues over the last fortnight to officially open our new offices in Barford.
The new offices were officially opened on Friday 6th May by Lord Lieutenant for Warwickshire Mr Martin Dunne. Guests enjoyed a buffet lunch and a short update on the work of the Fund by Ian Bell, Fund Director. 2011 marks the 10th Anniversary of Addington and the functions provided an ideal opportunity to reflect on the pressures faced by our farming community in the last 10 years, as well as to looking at ways Addington will be prepared to help in the next 10 years.
Many thanks to Rogers Masonry based in Nantwich, Cheshire who very kindly sponsored the beautiful plaque. For more details on their services please visit http://www.rogersmasonry.co.uk
For details of our current projects, and ways you can help, please explore our website. Why not follow us on facebook?! You will find a link at the top of this page.
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Addington Working with the Forest Industries Education and Provident Fund
May 16, 2011 - 12:48 PM
It is ten years since the Education and Provident Fund (known then as the Association of Professional Foresters Education and Provident Fund*), approached the ARC Addington Fund to discuss how they might best work together in dealing with the human and business consequences of foot and mouth disease.
The Association of Professional Foresters administered the charity, which was only available to members. An extract from the APF annual report for 2001 portrays the situation:
There were two dominating issues during the year governing APF activity:
Firstly, foot and mouth disease, which led to the AGM and conference being postponed, as well as considerable restrictions and hardship within the industry;
Secondly, the negotiations with Timber Growers Association, which culminated in the merger.
Whilst there were many attempts to collect data to submit to the Rural Task Force to demonstrate the impact on forestry operations and businesses, the APF, negotiated with the ARC Addington Fund to include those working in forestry in their remit, then appealed and campaigned for funds, achieving around £14,000. This effort incidentally raised the profile of the APF through unprecedented coverage in a wide range of publications. Normal APF activity at the shows was not possible, although the Game Fair was held and was well supported by APF company members, due to the lack of other such events. The college-industry link had to be put on hold, as one college closed and field visits were ruled out. The student debate was also cancelled and could not be re-scheduled for September.
As it transpired, the generous response to the appeal exceeded demand and an agreement was reached with ARC Addington about use of the remaining funds.
The second point for APF was the merger, which was to be the first of two. The organisation is now the Confederation of Forest Industries (UK) Ltd, known as ConFor. Recently, the trustees, who are drawn from nominated ConFor members and nominated by its board, agreed to rename the charity more generically.
While the trustees refer applicants to other charities when appropriate, an effort was made in 2010 to raise awareness of the existence and objects of charities with similar interests. So the Education and Provident Fund made contact with ARC Addington once again.
The Forest Industries Education and Provident Fund was established in the 1980s from the proceeds of the APF International Forestry Machinery Demonstrations (now the International Forestry Exhibition), becoming a registered charity in 1997. It serves to support members in their professional development, as well as those who may be suffering hardship. Anyone with an interest in trees, forestry or timber is eligible to join ConFor and after one year’s membership can apply to the fund for discretionary grants.
Jane Karthaus, trustee, said, “It was great to re-establish contact again with ARC Addington after all this time. I would like to congratulate them on their 10th birthday and wish them success in continuing to help those in hardship.”
There is more information at http://www.confor.org.uk/AboutUs/Default.aspx?pid=150
* registered charity number 1061322/0
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Fair Deal Food Writer’s Award to Ian O’Reilly
Apr 27, 2011 - 03:16 PM
On Monday 4th April Tom Rigby of Johnson’s Farm near Warrington, visited Lower Gazegill Farm, Rimington, Lancs: “a fascinating place, an old traditional farm with some state-of-the-art renewable energy technology.
He presented a Fair Deal Food Writer’s Award to Ian O’Reilly, whose letters to the press have been making a clear and powerful case for fairly traded British food.
A donation was made to ARC Addington, in his name, because as he said, they ”helped many through the Foot and Mouth Crisis and many again when Dairy Farmers of Britain went to the wall”
To see the letters please visit http://fairdealfooduk.wordpress.com/2011/04/08/april-writers-award-to-ian-oreilly/
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The Prince’s Countryside Fund Announces Crisis Funding for Farming Charities
Apr 12, 2011 - 08:29 AM
The Prince’s Countryside Fund has announced today that it will be giving £40,000 from the emergency relief fund to ARC Addington Fund and Farm Crisis Network following the recent problems affecting the farming industry. Designed to provide immediate support to farming charities, the money will be drawn from a special emergency funding stream set aside by The Prince’s Countryside Fund.
ARC Addington Fund will be given £25,000 the majority of which will be used by The Trustees’ Discretionary Fund. This exists to help viable farming businesses with a grant, when they experience financial hardship due to unexpected circumstances. Following the poor season for forage production and much higher consumption than budgeted due to harsh weather, applications for grants have risen by 350% as farmers struggle with cash flow problems and cannot purchase animal feed stuffs.
In addition £15,000 will go to Farm Crisis Network whose case work has doubled as a result of the delay to many farmers Single Farm Payment. This delay to a critical part of many farming families’ income has tipped them into financial difficulty and resulting cash flow issues are causing real problems.
The Prince’s Countryside Fund was set up in July 2010 by Business in the Community and is the brainchild of The Prince of Wales who has a long-held commitment to supporting Britain’s hard pressed rural areas. The Fund is raising money from a wide range of businesses who have responded to The Prince’s call to action to improve the long-term viability of the British countryside and its rural communities. The intention is to inspire other businesses and the general public to get involved and recognise the importance of the countryside to the nation’s well-being and the wider British economy.
The funding raised has been channelled into providing grants to projects, large and small, that are delivering the three core objectives of The Prince’s Countryside Fund. These objectives focus on improving the sustainability of British farming and rural communities (targeting the areas of greatest need), reconnecting consumers with countryside issues; and supporting farming crisis charities through a reserved portion of funding.
Says Ian Bell, Fund Director ARC Addington Fund ‘‘This timely support from The Prince’s Countryside Fund comes at a critical period for some livestock farmers as they struggle to feed their animals. There is nothing more distressing to a stock farmer than not being able to care for animals properly.”
Says Sarah Brown, Executive Director, Farm Crisis Network ‘“With one in four farmers living on or below the poverty line the delay to the payment that keeps many producing our food, caring for our livestock and maintaining our natural environment is nothing short of a disaster. For some it is like their whole year’s salary being on hold while animals still need feeding, crops still need planting and work still needs doing! The resulting increase in FCN casework is extremely challenging so this contribution from The Prince’s Countryside Fund is brilliantly timed and will help us keep helping farming families who need support getting through a serious crisis.“
Members of the general public who would like to help can make a donation over the counter at The Post Office or via our Text Service. Please text PCF to 70300 and a £3 donation will be made automatically to The Prince’s Countryside Fund.
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Promotion for Addington at Cornish Mutual AGM
Apr 04, 2011 - 01:35 PM
Fund Director Ian Bell was pleased to have the opportunity to speak about Addington’s latest projects at the recent Cornish Mutual AGM.
Taking place on the 31st March 2011 at the Royal Cornwall Showground, the AGM gave the ideal platform for Ian to introduce the charity’s latest project in Ruthvoes, near Indian Queen’s Cornwall, which will see the conversion of a redundant county council farm into four affordable work/live space units for farming families in the area.
Founded by a group of Westcountry farmers in 1903, Cornish Mutual is the only general insurer based in the South West. Even today, the company is still owned by its Members, and remains at the heart of rural communities throughout Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. They are a great supporter of Addington and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their ongoing support.
For more details about Cornish Mutual please visit their website http://www.cornishmutual.co.uk
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Ruthvoes Barns Project Launched
Mar 15, 2011 - 03:41 PM
One of the derelict Ruthvoes barns ready for conversion in to four new work/live space units.
A major housing project in Cornwall will see the creation of four new affordable work/live space units for farming families. Launched at this year’s Cornwall Farm Business Awards, the project working in conjunction with Cornwall County Council, will see the redundant buildings of Ruthvoes Farm near Indian Queens completely re-generated, providing viable business options to local farm businesses and families.
This is the second project of its kind embarked on by farming charity ARC-Addington Fund. In 2005, the charity successfully completed its first affordable housing development in Cornwall. The Trevorva project created five affordable homes from three redundant barns targeted at retired tenant farmers.
Five years on, the project has housed two families who have exited farming and have found alternative employment, and three young families who have the ability to create an income from agriculture in the area but would otherwise not be able to afford to live there. Statistically the initial occupation of the five homes had an positive influence on twenty five farming and farming related businesses. Two young families have already moved on having managed to get onto the housing ladder.
The Fund continues to encounter tenant farmers in their mid-forties and early fifties needing to move on from their farms. They have worked hard and not led profligate lifestyles, but the problem of under-capitalisation means the business is no longer sustainable. Yet these families have so much to offer; they want to work, are capable of running a business and they have acquired new skills out of necessity. In the past five years Addington has encountered families who have set up a diverse range of businesses; horse rug washing and repairs, specialist farm electrician, gardener, photographer and taxi driver. However, the charity has only been able to assist with the residential aspect.
After eighteen months of work, the Fund is in a position to purchase the Ruthvoes farm site from Cornwall County Council, where planning permission to create four work/live units has already been obtained. A very large barn will be converted into four affordable homes. A further small barn will become a workshop alongside the construction of three purpose built workshops. There is also sufficient land to create a land-based business on the site. A biomass boiler will provide heat for the whole site and solar panels will be installed on the roof of the new build workshop complex.
To date the only form of advertising has been the planning notice on the entrance to the site. Enquiries from three farming families about the time scale have already been received. There were no objections raised to the Funds planning application and the development will have a very positive impact by bringing four working families into a community which is becoming very influenced by second-home owners.
The financial viability of this project is dependent on funding from the Regional Development Agency. SWARDA have now confirmed that they will contribute €500,000 (£422,000) towards the cost of developing the workshop element of the scheme.
The total cost of the project will be in the region of £1.2 million, which Addington will need to secure before building work on the project can commence. The estimated date for completion could be 2013, providing sufficient funding has been secured.
For more details about the project please contact
Ian Bell, Fund Director tel: 01926 620135 or email
For general & marketing enquiries please contact
Laura Dickinson, Development, Events and Marketing Manager, tel: 01926 620135 email:
About ARC-Addington Fund
ARC-Addington Fund was set up as the Churches’ response to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), when it distributed grants totalling £10.3 million to over 22,000 applicants. Now in its 10th year, the Fund continues to support viable farming families experiencing financial hardship due to circumstances affecting the business which are completely out of their control. The Fund’s Trustee’s Discretionary Fund distributes grants of up to £2,000. In recent years the charity set up a fodder bank in the disastrous floods of 2007, and assisted the many businesses affected by the demise of Dairy Farmers of Britain. It has also helped where animal disease restrictions have a negative effect on the business and in times of personal tragedy.
The Charity also run a Strategic Rural Housing Scheme, providing homes for families needing to exit or retire from the industry with no other option available to them. To date the Scheme has supported 209 families, and currently owns 41 houses nationally.
Sir Don Curry launched the Strategic Rural Housing Scheme in 2002. It addresses the situation where farmers have to leave the business and, in doing so, lose their home. In many cases there is no suitable housing available locally. For most the days of the final farm sale financing the purchase of a house in the village have long gone. Affordable rented housing can be difficult to find, particularly in rural areas.
In developing this housing initiative the Fund has moved from a grant giving activity that could have ceased overnight, to the long-term responsibility of properties and, even more crucially, people. It is therefore essential the Fund is sustainable. Rental income from properties is sufficient to cover the basic administration of the Fund and the costs of the property portfolio. This allows all donations to be invested in further properties, adding to the asset base of the charity. When a property is no longer required, it will be sold and the money available for another purchase. Thus every donation received will have a real and lasting effect.
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Gloucestershire Gives Generously
Mar 09, 2011 - 09:48 AM
Hungry visitors tuck in to a hearty breakfast in aid of Addington
Gloucestershire’s inaugural Farmhouse Breakfast in aid of Addington Fund has raised a staggering £1966.00 for the farming charity.
In the region of 90 full English breakfasts, both using and promoting locally produced food, were cooked and served up at Norton Village Hall on the 22nd February.
Organised in association with the local Farm Womens Club, we are grateful to our sponsors AMC and CLA as well as Abbotswood Farm Eggs, Gold Top Milk and Butter and the Middle Farmily from Mussle End Farm for supplying the bacon and sausage.
Currently marking its 10th anniversary, the Addington Fund supports hard-hit farming families and communities. In the 2001/2002 FMD outbreak the Fund distributed grants totalling £129,216 in Gloucestershire alone.
Fund director Ian Bell OBE said: “In addition; 10 years on, the fund has assisted viable Gloucestershire farming families experiencing financial difficulties completely out of their control with a further £85, 322 in grants. Most of the help in Gloucestershire was during the devastating flooding of 2007, where we set up a fodder bank helping farmers with feed shortages.
“The fund also delivers a Strategic Rural Housing Scheme, assisting families needing to retire or exit the industry with dignity.
The financial input we receive from events such as the Gloucestershire Farm House Breakfast is invaluable.”
For more details about how Addington helps please visit the ‘how we help’ section of the website.
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The Prince’s Countryside Fund donate £10,000
Mar 09, 2011 - 09:40 AM
HRH meets with Ian Bell and selected Prince’s Countryside Fund partners to discuss fodder shortages.
His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, visited Cockermouth Auction Mart last week. During the day His Royal Highness met some of the Hill Farming Apprentices, and their host farmers, benefiting from funding through The Prince’s Countryside Fund. The next round of funding from The Prince’s Countryside Fund was announced and includes a donation of £10,000 to the Addington Fund.
Fund Director Ian Bell, also had the opportunity raise concerns about the availability of fodder, particularly for upland livestock farms, following the unusually long spell of cold weather before Christmas.
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2011 Cornwall Farm Business Awards Hailed a Success
Mar 07, 2011 - 03:47 PM
The second Cornwall Farm Business Awards took place at the Royal Cornwall Showground on Friday 25th February 2011, with 180 guests enjoying a celebration of Cornwall’s finest agricultural producers.
Launched in 2010, the Awards celebrate the important role of farmers and food suppliers, and their contribution to the economy of Cornwall. Each category recognises individual excellence within Cornwall’s farming and food industry and highlights the need to support Cornish farmers and food producers.
Organised by the Addington Fund, the event aims to promote the work of the charity which supports farming families through its Strategic Rural Housing Scheme and Trustees Discretionary Fund.
Members of the public, farmers and trade had the opportunity to identify the most innovate and forward thinking farmers and growers from their area, in a range of categories.
The 2011 winners are:
Best Commercial Farmer- Sponsored by Hodgsons - won by Richard Thomas
Best Woman in Farming - Sponsored by World Wide Financial Planning – won by Catherine Mead
Best Farm Processor - Sponsored by Cornwall Agricultural Council – won by Bob Lindo
Best Supplier to the Food Industry- Sponsored by Kivells - won by Philp Pryor
Cornwall’s Future Farm Business Leader -Sponsored by National Farmers Union - Won jointly by Julian Ellis and Nicola Chegwidden
Cornwall’s Best Dairy Farmer - Sponsored by AMC - Won by Stephen Bone
Victor Ludorum - Sponsored by Cornish Mutual - Won by Stephen Bone
The organisers are indebted to primary sponsor Coodes Solicitors, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) as well as media partners, Western Morning News and BBC Radio Cornwall for their support.
For more information on the awards or the work of the Addington Fund please visit the about us section of the website
Western Morning News http://www.thisiswesternmorningnews.co.uk/
Coodes Solicitors http://coodes.co.uk/
CLA Link http://www.cla.org.uk/
BBC Radio Cornwall http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/cornwall/hi/tv_and_radio/
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Sugar Beet Available Nationally
Feb 04, 2011 - 09:11 AM
We have been told of a large quantity of frost damaged sugar beet which is still in the ground in Suffolk and Lincolnshire which is available free to farmers for stock feed with nationwide delivery. The costs of transport from Suffolk will need to be covered, but the producer can arrange haulage for you. For more details please contact James Harvey, Tannington Transport on 01728 628223
Addington is aware that feeding frost damaged sugar beet can cause problems and would suggest that you take advice from your vet or animal feed nutritionist before feeding this product. If you are experiencing hardship we may be able to contribute towards the haulage costs and if this is the case, please contact the office on 01926 620135 or refer to the ‘How we can help’ section of the website.
See an article from Farmers Weekly here:
http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2011/02/04/125371/Quality-warning-over-using-sugar-beet-as-feed.htm
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Warwickshire Shakes up its Wake up!
Feb 01, 2011 - 10:01 AM
Hungry visitors at the Jersey Pavilion ‘shake up their wake up’
The Jersey Cattle Sociey Pavilion became the venue for another succesful ‘Big Breakfast’ event as part of Farmhouse Breakfast Week last week. Organised to raise funds and awareness for the two farming charities RABI and Addington, the event was fantastically supported by guests and sponsors alike.
The team from Fern http://fern-uk.com/ took charge inthe kitchen, serving up 140 breakfasts and 80 takeaway rolls to the offices at Stoneleigh Park raising a fantastic £1489.53 which will be divided equally between the charities.
We would like to thank everyone who supported us including our suppliers Becks Butchers Kenilworth, SH Mills Butchers Hockley Heath, Elliotts Butchers Northampton, A & K Russell Butchers Wellesbourne, DA Hobbins Eggs, Packington Pork, Hilltop Farm Shop, WS Global, Gold Top Milk, Sainsburys Leamington, NFU, Brethertons Solicitors, Farm Stay UK and Farmers Fayre.
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Yorkshire Big Breakfast Nets £3,350
Feb 01, 2011 - 09:23 AM
Yorkshire’s annual Farmhouse Big Breakfast charity fund-raiser this year realised £3,350.
A total of 213 breakfasts, both using and promoting locally produced food, were cooked and served up over six sittings at the three-day event, held at St George’s Court B&B, Old Home Farm, High Grantley, Ripon. (Jan 25-27)
Hosted by owners Will and Lindsey Hitchen, it was organised and staged by the Harrogate and Nidderdale Group of Farm Stay UK, the country’s largest network of farm-based accommodation providers.
Over the years, Yorkshire Farmhouse Big Breakfast has raised thousands of pounds for charity. This year’s proceeds are being split between the ARC-Addington Fund’s Strategic Rural Housing Scheme and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, the ARC-Addington Fund supports hard-hit farming families and communities. In North Yorkshire alone, the charity has distributed 1,400 grants totalling over £680,000.
The majority was handed out both during and after the first foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2001/2002, with further grants awarded in 2007 following the floods and second foot and mouth outbreak.
Fund director Ian Bell OBE said: “In addition, since 2008, almost £6,000 has been distributed to help North Yorkshire farmers and their families experiencing financial difficulties completely out of their control.
“We have also purchased seven properties in the area for families needing to retire or exit their farms, who have had no other options available to them. We urge other farming families across the region who may be experiencing similar problems to get in touch with us, as we may well be able to help and support them.
“The financial input we receive from events such as Yorkshire Big Breakfast is invaluable.”
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance provides a life-saving rapid response service to over five million people across the county, flying seven days a week, 365 days a year. It needs to raise £7,200 a day to keep both its ambulances in the air and maintained.
“The generosity we receive is the lifeblood of the charity – without it we would not be able to provide the service we are so proud of,” said Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s North Yorkshire development officer Tony Doveston.
Main sponsor of the 2011 Big Breakfast was Brian Elsworth, of EuraAudit UK, Ripon. Others sponsors, supporters and food donators included Bleikers Smokehouse, Glasshouses, Harrogate, Harrogate Spa Water, High Callis Organic Farm, Bishop Wilton, York, Chippindale Foods, Harrogate, Paynes Farm Dairies, Boroughbridge, Anna’s Happy Trotters, Howden, Selby, and Longley Farm Yoghurts, Holmfirth.
ENDS
Pic caption 1 Grub up! Lindsey Hitchen, of St George’s Court B&B, High Grantley, prepares to serve the first of over 200 Yorkshire charity Big Breakfasts. She is joined by, from left, Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s North Yorkshire development officer Tony Doveston; Jean Kennelly, a helper who travelled all the way from Cheshire; Christine Ryder, Scaife Hall Farm B&B, Blubberhouses; Rachael Gate, another Cheshire helper, who runs outside catering business Country Kitchen; Maggie Johnson, Mallard Grange B&B, Aldfield; Alison Hickey, Moor End Farm B&B, Littlethorpe; Dave Jones, Barclays’ North of England agricultural manager; ARC-Addington Fund director Ian Bell; and Rosemary Hyslop, Yorkshire Director Farm Stay, who runs Layhead Farm Cottages, Rathmell, Settle.
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A new home for ARC Addington Fund
Jan 18, 2011 - 01:43 PM
Addington and Britannia Squab move in to the new offices
As of Monday 29th November 2010 ARC Addington has a new home. Our new address is 9 Barford Exchange, Wellesbourne, Barford, Warwickshire CV35 8AQ and our new phone number is 01926 620135
We will be writing to everyone formally to let them know of the move once we have cleared our lovely new offices of cardboard boxes!
We would like to thank Britannia Squab movers for all of their help in the move - if you know anyone who is moving in the not so distant future we would certainly recommend them - visit their wesbite at http://www.britannia-movers.co.uk/ or see the attached newsletter for more details
» A new home for ARC Addington Fund download
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Stowmarket draws to a halt to celebrate Plough Sunday
Jan 17, 2011 - 04:21 PM
Fund Director Ian Bell with the team at East Anglian Life at the Plough Sunday event in Stowmarket
The Museum of East Anglian Life and ARC Addington Fund joined forces yesterday to put on a Plough Sunday Service, which included a procession of vintage and modern agricultural machinery through Stowmarket town centre.
Plough Sunday, coming on the first Sunday after the Epiphany was traditionally the Sunday set-aside especially to bless the plough before ploughing got off in earnest in preparation for the sowing of spring crops. Today it is a service of prayer, dedication and blessing for those involved in and concerned for Agriculture.
The service which took place on Sunday 16th January at St Peter and St Mary’s Church raised a fantastic £500.00 for ARC-Addington Fund.
To view the photo gallery please click on this link http://bbc.in/egjUlx
Click on this link to listen to Fund Director Ian Bell being interviewed on BBC Radio Suffolk about the event (Fast forward the clip to 1hr.36min) http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00czwt6/Rob_Dunger_16_01_2011/
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Countdown begins to 2011 Yorkshire Big Breakfast
Dec 09, 2010 - 10:21 AM
A hearty breakfast will be served between 25th-27th January at St Georges B & B in Ripon
Organisers of Yorkshire’s Charity Farmhouse Big Breakfast are again preparing for their annual three-day fund-raiser in the New Year.
The 2011 event will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, January 25, 26 and 27, at St George’s Court B&B, Old Home Farm, High Grantley, Ripon, to be hosted by Will and Lindsey Hitchen.
Organisation is again in the hands of Yorkshire members – notably the ladies - of Farm Stay UK, Britain’s biggest network of farm-based accommodation providers.
Over the years, they have served up hundreds of Big Breakfasts and raised thousands of pounds for charity, primarily of late on behalf of the ARC-Addington Fund’s Strategic Rural Housing Scheme, which provides housing for farmers and their families who have to leave their farms for a variety of reasons.
The 2011 proceeds will be split between the ARC-Addington Fund and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Hearty Yorkshire farmhouse breakfasts – the food is sourced as locally as possible in support of local suppliers – will served over two sittings on all three days between 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm.
Tickets are priced at £15 and are available from Lindsey Hitchen on 01765 620618, e-mail
A number of sponsors for the Big Breakfast feast are already in place, among them regular supporters Barclays Bank, Bleikers Smokehouse at Glasshouses, Harrogate, and accountant Brian Elsworth, of EuroAudit in Ripon. Others sponsors and food donators are welcome, with Lindsey Hitchen again the contact.
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Christmas Campaign - Don’t lose sleep, find help
Nov 19, 2010 - 03:03 PM
What’s your biggest worry? Debt? Animal disease? Housing? Bad health? Whatever the problem, you can guarantee you’re not the first farmer to lose sleep over it. For the latest article in the Farmers Weekly Farmer to Farmer Christmas campaign series, we’ve identified the main problems reported to Farming Help charities in 2010 and outlined some of the help available
View the full article here: http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2010/11/19/124451/Christmas-Campaign-Don39t-lose-sleep-find-help.htm
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Childrens Pedal Tractors For Sale!
Nov 10, 2010 - 10:02 AM
Thinking about what to get your little ones for Christmas? We have a number of Same Deutz Fahr pedal tractors for sale priced only £60 including P & P!
These tough little tractors are ideal for ages 2 1/2 to 5 years and come complete with a detachable trailer and loader. Even better all proceeds go to ARC Addington Fund, supporting Britain’s farming families.
To order online please click on this link http://www.arc-addingtonfund.org.uk/shop/ or telephone the office on 01926 620135.
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Farmers Weekly Support Farmers at Home and Away
Nov 05, 2010 - 11:42 AM
Farmers Weekly has teamed up with two leading agricultural charities to launch its groundbreaking ‘Farmer to Farmer’ Christmas charity campaign.
Starting in this week’s issue (5 Nov) and running until the New Year, Farmers Weekly will be raising awareness of two respected charitable organisations – one that supports rural families in the UK, and one which works with some of the poorest farming families in Africa. Readers will be invited to make donation to the campaign, choosing whether their money goes to causes at home or abroad.
The “home” charitable organisation is Farming Help, which provides a broad range of financial help, advice, housing and pastoral care for individuals and families in the farming community. Farming Help is a collaboration between the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), Farm Crisis Network and ARC-Addington Fund.
Representing “abroad” is Send a Cow - a charity that was established by a group of British dairy farmers back in the eighties, and is now leading the way in small-scale, sustainable agricultural development across Africa. They help some of the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people farm their way out of extreme poverty by providing livestock, seeds, support and training.
“There’s a strong bond between farmers in this country, as well as those around the world,” explains Farmlife and Community Editor Tim Relf. “Their individual circumstances might vary hugely but they share an ethic of hard work, a job that involves battling the elements and a passion for providing that most essential of essentials – food.
“Farmers are also a generous lot and have a proud tradition of helping each other, which is why FW has teamed up with some of the countryside’s leading charities to launch this ‘Farmer to Farmer’ campaign.”
In the UK, a range of factors - including pressure on prices and TB – have had a devastating impact on many rural households. At the same time, developing countries are facing their own unique set of challenges as they struggle to grow crops and livestock - from climate change and disease, to the legacy of years of conflict.
“The run-up to Christmas is a great time to think about others,” adds Tim, “and the arrival of single farm payment cheques in the not-too-distant future might mean farmers can find a little money for this campaign.”
To find out more about FW’s Farmer to Farmer campaign visit http://www.fwi.co.uk/farmertofarmer
To donate click here http://www.justgiving.com/Farmer-to-Farmer-Christmas-Campaign
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2011 Cornwall Farm Business Awards Launched
Oct 11, 2010 - 03:54 PM
Following the success of the inaugural Western Morning News Cornwall Farm Business Awards in 2010, the date for the 2011 awards has been set for Friday 25th February 2011.
The Awards celebrate the important role of farmers and food suppliers, and their contribution to the economy of Cornwall. Each category will recognise individual excellence within Cornwall’s farming and food industry and highlight the need to support Cornish farmers and food producers.
Organised by ARC Addington Fund, the event aims to promote the work of the charity which supports farming families through its Strategic Rural Housing Scheme and Trustees Discretionary Fund.
Members of the public, farmers and trade will have an opportunity to identify the most innovate and forward thinking farmers and growers from their area, in a range of categories.
Best Commercial Farmer - Sponsored by Hodgsons
Best Woman in Farming - Sponsored by World Wide Financial Planning
Best Farm Processor - Sponsored by Cornwall Agricultural Council
Best Supplier to the Food Industry - Sponsored by Cornish Pasty Association
Cornwall’s Future Farm Business Leader - Sponsored by National Farmers Union
Cornwall’s King and Queen of Milk - Sponsored by Mole Valley Farmers
Cornwall’s Farming Champion - Sponsored by Cornish Mutual
Western Morning News readers will have their own opportunity to vote for their favourite Cornish food product.
The organisers are indebted to primary sponsor Coodes Solicitors, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) as well as media partners, Western Morning News and BBC Radio Cornwall for their support.
The awards ceremony will take place at the Pavilion Centre, Royal Cornwall Showground on Friday 25th February 2011. For more details, or to book a table please contact ARC Addington Fund on 01926 620135.
Western Morning News http://www.thisiswesternmorningnews.co.uk/
Coodes Solicitors http://coodes.co.uk/
CLA http://www.cla.org.uk/
BBC Radio Cornwall http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/cornwall/hi/tv_and_radio/
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Trustee Wins Prestigious Farm Manager of the Year Award
Oct 08, 2010 - 02:08 PM
Al Brooks celebrates with Jane King, editor of the Farmers Weekly; award sponsors Claas and host Liza Tarbuck.
We are very pleased to announce that Alastair Brooks, trustee of ARC Addington Fund, is the proud winner of the 2010 Farm Manager of the Year in the prestigious Farmers Weekly Awards.
The judges explain why Alastair was deserving of the award:
Generally, traditional farming estates don’t like to experience radical change. So it takes a special kind of individual to lead it. And that’s just what Alastair Brooks has achieved in just four years at Waddesdon Farms.
As the first manager farming Waddesdon inhand for many years, Alastair is under no illusions about what’s expected of him. “If I can’t make it work here, then we would probably go back to being run by a large farm management company.” That would be enough to remind most farm managers that, despite the challenges that farming throws in your way, they’ve got to remain good enough to meet them head on. But “good enough” isn’t really the benchmark expected by Lord Rothschild at his private estate in Buckinghamshire. And while not an agricultural enthusiast himself, “The Boss” expects his farms to perform to the same high standards he demands
elsewhere, says Alastair.
And Alastair has proved he is more than equal to the task. His talent is to maintain a grasp of detail without losing sight of the bigger vision.“Historically, this had been run as a traditional, mixed-farming estate. Until recently there were 600 dairy cows in three units and all were sold on the same day. The estate I came to was going through an immense amount of change. “There was a big soil compaction problem when I came here, but by changing the cultivations strategy we’ve begun to rectify it.” His cropping policy has shifted to concentrate on milling wheats, with oilseed rape, beans and spring linseed as breaks. Alastair’s grasp of detail in this business means he can put a figure on almost any input or output from the top of his head. “I can drill right down into our accounts, to every machine and every field.”
Alastair’s style is to “deal hard, but fair”. “I trade something, one way or another, every day. But a deal is only a deal when both parties are happy. There is always another day.” Even so, he’s unfazed by negotiation and drives a hard bargain.
Alastair’s attitude is: “You’re either in it or you’re not”, and there’s no doubt about the strength of his commitment to Waddesdon. It’s a passion he shares with his team of six. “I have a fantastic team here and my farm fitter is a man who, if you gave him a housebrick, would somehow make it run.” Alastair trained at the Royal Agricultural College and has worked in management roles in Wiltshire and Warwickshire. But it’s clear he considers Waddesdon the culmination of his career.
For more details about the awards please visit http://www.fwi.co.uk/awards-website/awards-home/
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Farming Photography Exhibition returns to Ely
Sep 30, 2010 - 02:42 PM
Farming: An Urban Perspective on display at Ely last year
Photography Exhibition, Farming: An Urban Perspective, will return to the beautiful Ely Cathedral next week. The photography exhibition, which features images taken by London based fashion photographer Kevin Foord, will run from 4th to the 16th October in the Cathedral’s West Precinct.
The exhibition features commentary by popular Yorkshire farmer turned author Richard Benson, describing the stories behind the images. 24 photographs of farming and common countryside scenes make up the display, depicting how urban dweller Foord views rural Britain. Many of the images show scenes people living in the countryside will take for granted, but we hope it creates pause for thought and answers some of the questions such as why, when and how? For those who are interested it even includes a picture of Madonna’s front gate.
This is the second time the exhibition has featured at the famous Cathedral, and we would like to thank SallyAnne Ford from Ely for her assistance in coordinating the display and to James Littlewood for all of his help.
For more details about Ely cathedral including directions and opening times please visit their website http://www.elycathedral.org/ please note the West Precinct is available for visitors to enter free of charge.
To purchase a copy of Richard Benson’s ‘The Farm’ of which all proceeds are donated to ARC Addington Fund, please visit the ‘How you can help’ section of our website.
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Charollais Tup Raises £680 for Addington
Sep 30, 2010 - 02:41 PM
We are extremely grateful to John Maxwell for donating the sale of one of his Charollais flock to raise funds for Addington.
The tup, which went up for auction at Ashford Market last Friday sold for a fantastic £680. The money raised will be used to help Kent’s farming families experiencing financial difficulty and also helping those needing to exit or retire from the industry.
We would also like to thank Mark Cleverdon from Hobbs Parker for his help in promoting Mr Maxwell’s animal and for waiving the commission fee.
The Fund are continually looking for unique ways to promote the charity and raise funds, and if you have any ideas which you would like to share with us, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
For more details about Ashford Market and Hobbs Parker please visit their website: http://www.hobbsparker.co.uk/CF/Bulletin.cfm?BulletinId=30
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Making Time for Breakfast at Westmorland County Show
Sep 27, 2010 - 03:13 PM
L to R - Ian Bell, Fund Director with Ann and Andrew Newbold of Killington Marquees and Laura Dickinson, the Fund’s Marketing and Events Manager
The Wedding Marquee at the recent Westmorland County Show became the venue for a hearty breakfast in aid of ARC Addington Fund. Eighty breakfasts were served in the beautifully decorated marquee, courtesy of Killington Marquees.
Owners, Andrew and Ann Newbold are tremendous supporters of the Fund, and we are indebted to them for all the help they give us throughout the year.
For more information about Killington Marquees please visit their website http://www.killingtonmarquees.co.uk/
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Congratulations Tom!
Sep 23, 2010 - 02:39 PM
Tom Bradley with Fund Director Ian Bell at Tom’s recent birthday celebrations.
Everyone at the Fund was very pleased to hear that at a recent Jersey Cattle Society AGM, ARC Addington Fund’s Trustee Tom Bradley was unanimously voted into the post of President Elect.
A renowned Jersey breeder in Warwickshire, Tom adds the prestigious title to his many roles within the agricultural sector, including Chairman of Mid Warwickshire branch of the NFU.
We are extremely grateful for all the work that Tom puts into the Fund, and we recently celebrated his contribution, as well as his 80th birthday at a wonderful lunch hosted by Fund Chairman Sheila Cole.
For more information on the Jersey Cattle Society please visit http://www.ukjerseys.com/index.html
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Fund Director Shortlisted for Farming Champion Award
Sep 23, 2010 - 02:01 PM
Farming Champion nominee Ian Bell
We are extremely pleased to announce that Ian Bell, Fund Director of the ARC Addington Fund, has been shortlisted into the final six in the Farming Champion category at this year’s Farmers Weekly Awards. The award, which is sponsored by the NFU, recognises potential champion’s devotion to farming, going beyond the remit of their day job to achieve goals and objectives on behalf of the wider industry.
Ian has been integral to the Fund since it’s inception in FMD 2001, overseeing the distribution of £10.3 million to over 22,000 farming families experiencing financial difficulty, and finding homes for over 200 farming families. Ian continues to go above and beyond his call of duty as Fund Director and is regularly called upon to speak to press and public on behalf of the farming industry in tough times.
One of Ian’s nominators said: “Mr Bell is not only totally dedicated to the work of the Fund but also the farming industry. He has never failed to treat every person with kindness and sympathy. His dedication to the farming industry is outstanding”
The Farmers Weekly Awards have become a symbol of the innovation and commitment of British farmers. Now in their sixth year, the Awards have recognised nearly 250 finalists and winners for their achievements, innovation and hard work.
Farmers Weekly together with its industry sponsors, which span the whole of the food chain, want British farmers to get the recognition they deserve. These awards aim to showcase the best farmers in the country. And by telling their stories can spread best practice, inspire others and influence the public about the role that farmers play in today’s society.
The winner of Farming Champion will be announced at the awards ceremony taking place at Grosvenor House Hotel, London on the on Thursday 7th October.
For more details of the Awards please visit: http://www.fwi.co.uk/awards-website/awards-home/
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No ‘Chuggers’ at the Addington Fund
Aug 27, 2010 - 02:10 PM
Over the last twenty four hours the media have carried several stories about ‘chuggers’. These are the people who approach you in the street on behalf of a charity and ask you to sign up to a standing order to make regular payments to their particular charity.
The media has revealed that some well known high street charities are paying up to £136 for every new donor the ‘chuggers’ sign up, yet over 40% of standing orders are cancelled after one payment.
ARC-Addington Fund does not use any such fund-raising tactics. Furthermore, please be assured that every penny of every donation we receive will reach the families for whom it is intended.
We do not use any donation to cover any running costs whatsoever.
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Addington Fund to Benefit from the Prince’s Countryside Fund
Aug 06, 2010 - 02:33 PM
Guests at The Prince’s Countryside Fund Ceremony. Pictured left to right: Ian Bell, ARC Addington Fund; John Longden, Pub is the Hub; Paul Burrows, RABI; Will Rawling, The Farmers Network; Caroline Spelman MP; Paul Harper, The Farmers Network; HRH The Prince of Wales; Alan Stevenson, RSABI; Diane Spark, Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Service (UTASS); Dr Jonathan Nainby-Luxmoore, UTASS; Rev. Sarah Brown, Farm Crisis Network; Mark Price, Waitrose. Photo courtesy of Alastair Fyfe.
The Prince’s Countryside Fund is the brainchild of The Prince of Wales who has a long-held commitment to supporting Britain’s hard pressed rural areas. The Fund is raising money from a wide range of businesses who have responded to The Prince’s call to action to help improve the long-term viability of the British countryside and its rural communities. The intention is to inspire other businesses and the general public to get involved and recognise the importance of the countryside to the nation’s well-being and the wider British economy.
“The vision and commitment of The Prince of Wales has brought together in common cause this extraordinary alliance of food businesses. The Fund will be a lifeline for Britain’s most vulnerable farmers and communities, helping them to secure a sustainable future for themselves. I hope that other companies will be inspired to contribute to the Fund so that more and more can be done to improve the long-term viability of hard-pressed rural areas,“ said Mark Price, Managing Director of Waitrose and Chairman of The Prince’s Countryside Fund trustee board.
The funding raised will be channelled into providing grants to projects, large and small, that are delivering the three core objectives of The Prince’s Countryside Fund. These objectives focus on improving the sustainability of British farming and rural communities, targeting the areas of greatest need; reconnecting consumers with countryside issues; and supporting farming crisis charities through a dedicated emergency funding stream.
All the companies that have partnered with Business in the Community to launch this Fund, which has a starting pot of £1m, have a special connection to the British countryside through the products they make or sell. They will feature The Prince’s Countryside Fund’s logo on selected packaging from next month and help communicate the importance of the countryside to consumers. In addition, from the autumn, The Post Office will make it possible for consumers to donate over the counter to The Prince’s Countryside Fund at their 12,000 branches.
Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community, said: “We are delighted to have helped develop this initiative and now to be running it. We have attracted remarkable support from the British food industry from companies who care about how they do business and want to be a positive force for change.”
Ian Bell, ARC-Addington Fund Director comments “The ability to be able to draw down funds to deal with an emergency situation, means we can act faster and be more effective. In almost all the circumstances we encounter livestock are involved, providing feed stuffs becomes a priority and we must be able to act quickly. His Royal Highness has had major impact on the ARC-Addington Fund since its inception in 2001 to deal with outbreak of FMD. This is just another example of the tremendous support he gives the charity.
For more details on the Prince’s Countryside Fund, including details of the companies supporting the scheme please visit http://www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk
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Generous Support from NFU Mutual
Jul 26, 2010 - 01:36 PM
NFU Charitable Trust present Farming Help with a cheque for £75,000. Pictured right to left Mr Richard Percy, Vice Chairman NFU Mutual; Revd Sarah Brown, Executive Director FCN; Georgina Lamb and Sally Conner, Field Offiers for RABI; Ian Bell, Director ARC Addington Fund.
The successful Great Yorkshire Show became the location for the 2010 Farming Help breakfast, kindly hosted by Mr Richard Percy, Vice Chairman of the NFU Mutual. Mr Percy used the opportunity to present Farming Help with a fantastic cheque for £75,000 donated by NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, which will be split equally between ARC Addington Fund, FCN and RABI.
We would like to thank NFU Mutual and the Charitable Trust for their continued generous support which enables the Farming Help charities to maintain delivery of help, both emotionally and financially, to farmers and their families experiencing difficult times.
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Gloucestershire NFU Countryside Day
Jul 16, 2010 - 02:35 PM
Ian Bell, Fund Director presents at the Gloucestershire NFU Countryside Day
Hosted by Nick Bomford at Guiting Power, the Gloucesershire NFU Countryside Day brought together representatives from the police, fire service, animal health, trading standards, wilfdlife trusts, Natural England and several other organisations, to see a working farm that embraces a very wide range of environmental schemes, and to talk about the present day economics of agriculture.
The Gloucesetershire Constabulary used the event to launch a new initiative to takle rural and enviromental crime.
Ian Bell used the occasion to raise awreness of ‘Farming Help’ and stressed that anyone contacting the helpline would be treated in a very confidential and considerate manner.
Our thanks to John Tingey, Chairman of Gloucestershire NFU for his kind invitation to attend a very rewarding day.
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Trustee Short-listed for Prestigious Award
Jul 05, 2010 - 09:34 AM
Alastair Brooks, Farm Manager of the Waddesdon Estate
ARC-Addington Fund Trustee, Alastair Brooks, has made the final three in the Farmers Weekly Awards Farm Manager of the Year category. Mr Brooks, who manages farming operations on the Waddesdon estate crops 450ha of arable with 280ha of grassland, as well as a further 160ha which is contract-farmed. He leads a team of six and has conducted a complete reorganisation of the business.
The winner will be announced at The Farmers Weekly Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London on Thursday 7th October 2010.
For more details on the awards please visit: http://www.fwi.co.uk/awards-website/awards-home/
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All Roads Lead to Ragley Hall Game Fair
Jul 01, 2010 - 01:16 PM
This year’s CLA Game Fair is to be held at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire. Strutt & Parker are again very kindly hosting the ARC-Addington Fund for this major three day event. Located on stand P1363, adjacent to the Game Fair theatre, we will be delighted to see you at any time throughout the show.
On the Sunday morning, Rev Dr Gordon Gatward, a Trustee of the ARC-Addington Fund, will lead the Game Fair Service, assisted by the Rector of Alcester. You are very welcome to join us for the service at 8.30am, after which we will retire to the Strutt & Parker stand for breakfast!
We are extremely grateful for the support of Strutt & Parker. For the second year running they have organised a Game Fair Raffle to raise funds for the ARC-Addington Fund. Tickets are available at £1 each before the event and on the first day up until the draw is made at 6.30pm. Please call the office on 024 7669 0587 if you wish to purchase some tickets.
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Warwickshire Farmers Celebrate Milestone Anniversary
Jun 22, 2010 - 11:41 AM
NFU Branch Chairman and ARC Addington Fund Trustee Tom Bradley, with Caroline Spelman MP Defra Minister
More than 250 Warwickshire farmers and growers toasted 100 years of the county’s central NFU branch at a special centenary dinner. Lord Henry Plumb and his wife Lady Marjorie were in the members’ pavilion, at Stoneleigh Park, on Saturday (June 19) alongside Defra Minister Caroline Spelman to mark the landmark birthday with NFU members. More than £4,500 was raised for farming charity ARC Addington at the event, in Stareton Hall, following an auction and guests enjoyed a variety of regional food and drink to celebrate the occasion.
A century after its formation the Central Warwickshire NFU branch is still going strong and the industry has endured thanks to the work of the NFU and the resilience and hard work of county farmers and growers producing great produce to exceptionally high standards. Tom Bradley, branch chairman, who has been an NFU member for more than 60 years said he was honoured to be in the post for such a special occasion and able to celebrate it with other farmers and growers.
Mr Bradley, who farms at Hatton, said: “We had a tremendous turnout and I am very proud it has come around as it is a once in a lifetime event. “I’m pleased so many farmers were able to take the chance and celebrate it. “We have seen many advances over the decades including improved technology and advances in agriculture but we need to ensure the industry remains strong for the next 100 years. “Now we need to see the new Government come out and support farming and help turn it into a profitable industry as we can not rely on subsidies as the profitable part of farming. “If the Government helps to put the profit back this will help to stop food shortages because farmers will produce more and we will also be able to draw more young people into the industry. “One change will reap many significant achievements and encouraging young people to enter farming is vital as they are the next 100 years.”
Some of the descendants of the branch’s founding fathers were at the dinner and there was a display of Warwickshire farming memorabilia, NFU branch pictures and other agricultural items on show.
Defra Minister Caroline Spelman, Meriden MP, spoke during the dinner after she was introduced by Lord Plumb. She said: “Defra’s number one priority is to represent British food and farming and it is quite right that this should be our number one priority. “When our business plan is published you will see that there.”
Mrs Spelman said farming had faired better in the current economic climate than many others and she said this was testament to the industry’s strength. She said: “The coalition is keen to ensure that all food procured in the public sector is produced to assured British standards and we could save £400 million a year if all of the NHS Trusts did just that. “That is something we should be actively promoting across the NHS, it makes sense and is a great opportunity for British agriculture. “I think it is important to promote what we produce and the high standards to which you produce it. “We also aim to save farmers money by lifting the burden of red tape and will have the review but this needs to be industry led.”
Mrs Spelman also spoke about other issues including CAP reform, the Campaign for the Farmed Environment and plans for rural broadband.
Roger Campion, NFU Central Warwickshire group secretary, thanked Lord and Lady Plumb, the Secretary of State and farmers for supporting the event. He said: “This is a great celebration of Warwickshire farming and I am delighted you were able to come along. “It is my pleasure and privilege to thank the speakers and thank the members for their support of the branch’s 100th anniversary.”
Regional produce provided for the meal included turkey from Adlington Ltd, at Balsall Common; pork from Elvidge Farms Ltd, at Gilmorton, near Lutterworth; vegetables from DE and DM Drinkwater & Sons, at Chipping Camden and strawberries from Haygrove Ltd, at Redbank, Ledbury.
The highest bid during the auction was £850 for a visit to the Palace of Westminster with Lord Plumb.
Mr Bradley said he wanted to thank everyone who donated auction lots, all those who dug so generously for the charity and everyone else who contributed to the successful event.
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ARC-Addington Fund Heads to Worcestershire to Celebrate the Best of British Farming
Jun 07, 2010 - 10:27 AM
Farming charities, ARC-Addington Fund and Farm Crisis Network are organising a series of events in the Worcestershire region aimed at raising funds and awareness of their work.
A photographic exhibition, entitled ‘Food and Farming-An Urban Perspective’, is being staged in the Churches Pavilion for the duration of the Three Counties Show, Malvern 18th -20th June. Since the ARC Addington Fund was established as the churches’ response to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in 2001, they have enjoyed the support of many urban dwellers and urban churches. The exhibition looks at farming and the countryside through the lens of London based Kevin Foord, more used to snapping models on the catwalk. Each image is accompanied by text from farmer’s son turned journalist Richard Benson, author of ‘The Farm- the story of a farming family’.
The 9th July sees Debbie and James Bakewell of Charlton Farm, Hartlebury, open their doors to stage a Charity Barn Dance with the theme ‘Best of British Farming’. Rhythm and Blues band ‘Rhythm Zoo’ will provide the entertainment, with hog roast and refreshments provided by local farmers. The event will have a licensed bar and all proceeds will be used within Worcestershire for farmers and their families encountering difficult times. Tickets are available from the ARC Addington Fund office priced £10/adult and £5 per child.
The ARC-Addington Fund supports viable farming families as they encounter circumstances outside of their control, and providing appropriate housing for those needing to exit or retire from agriculture. In the last twelve months the charity have supported families affected by the collapse of Dairy Farmers of Britain, the flooding in and around Cockermouth and in several cases a unique set of circumstances that have beset a single family. Since Sir Don Curry launched our Strategic Rural Housing Scheme at Royal Smithfield in November 2002 the Fund has on average provided a home for a farming family every 57 days.
For more information please contact:
Laura Dickinson
Marketing and Events Manager
ARC Addington Fund
T: 02476 690587 M: 07702 815868 E:
http://www.arc-addingtonfund.org.uk
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Guernsey Heifer wins top spot for ARC Addington Fund
May 24, 2010 - 12:45 PM
Aber Showtime Dancer 5, affectionally known as ‘Claudia’ helping to promoting the work of ARC Addington Fund at Devon County Show.
The new girl in the show ring at this year’s Devon County Show is Claudia! A gorgeous long legged brunette, officially known as Aber Showtime Dancer 5.
Claudia is a 12 month old Guernsey heifer which has been generously donated buy Mr John Berry of Gloucestershire, former President of the English Guernsey Cattle Society, to the farming charity ARC-Addington Fund.
On her very first outing to Devon County Show, she took first place in her class. Claudia is cared for by Brian and Sheila Adams at their farm in Langport, Somerset. Brian and Shelia will show Claudia this year as a maiden heifer and next year in the in calf classes, before being auctioned to raise funds for the charity.
The ARC-Addington Fund exists to support farming families. The Trustees’ Discretionary Fund aims to help families enduring circumstances completely out of their control and the Strategic Rural Housing Scheme provides appropriate housing for farming people exiting the industry or wishing to retire.
“One of the best ways to support the agricultural industry is to be part of it” said Ian Bell, Director of the Addington Fund. “We will have a presence in the Guernsey Cattle lines at the major livestock shows in the South West for the next two seasons.”
Our thanks go to our sponsors including Mole Valley Farmers for supplying feed.
Claudia will be in the ring at Bath and West Show, Royal Cornwall Show and the SW Dairy Show, so please do come along to meet her and talk to the ARC Addington Fund team.
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Yorkshire Big Breakfast proceeds assist hard-hit farming families
Apr 12, 2010 - 10:23 AM
Pictured at the 2010 Yorkshire Charity Big Farmhouse Breakfast cheque presentation are, from left, Steven Crabtree, of Bolton Abbey, chairman of REAL Food and Farming, ARC-Addington Fund director Ian Bell, Christine Clarkson, of Bondcroft Farm B&B, Embsay, Dave Jones, Barclays’ North of England agricultural manager, and host Christine Ryder.
Organisers of Yorkshire’s annual Charity Farmhouse Big Breakfast have handed over a total of £4,462 to the ARC-Addington Fund, a national aid organisation that helps maintain the economic and social fabric of UK farming communities.
The 2010 event was staged over three days in January at Scaife Hall Farm, Blubberhouses, hosted by on-farm accommodation providers Chris and Christine Ryder.
It was organised and run jointly by REAL Food and Farming, which promotes and supports the Yorkshire Dales uplands and the communities and businesses that depend on them, and local members of Farm Stay UK, Britain’s biggest network of farm-based accommodation providers.
A total of 164 farmhouse big breakfasts were served up, with Barclays Bank stepping in as main sponsor, coupled with support from local and regional suppliers and individuals.
The money raised goes towards ARC-Addington Fund’s Strategic Rural Housing Scheme, which provides housing for farmers and their families who have to leave their farms for a variety of reasons.
Fund director Ian Bell OBE said: “In the last 12 months, we have invested £1.2 million in Yorkshire alone in support of farming families – for example, people finding it difficult to cope following a fatal accident at one end of the spectrum, through to assisting retiring farm tenants who require help through our shared equity scheme.
“Fund-raising of this nature is absolutely fundamental to our needs us and we want to spread the message to other farming families across the UK who may be facing similar problems that we are here to help them through their difficulties.”
Meanwhile, Yorkshire Charity Big Breakfast organisers report that a venue has already been agreed for the 2011 fund-raiser – St George’s Court B&B, Old Home Farm, High Grantley, Ripon, to be hosted by Will and Lindsey Hitchen.
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Warwickshire Farmhouse Breakfast 2010
Jan 29, 2010 - 12:45 PM
Once again ARC-Addington and RABI teamed up to cook over 200 breakfasts at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on the Monday of British Breakfast week. The event was fantastically supported and both charities would like to thank the hard working volunteers who cooked and served the breakfasts, the Jersey Cattle Society for use of their Pavilion, everyone who ordered breakfasts or take away baps, the generous suppliers for donating the excellent food and Barclays for match funding the event. £2476 was raised which will be split between the two farming charities.
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Make a Will with Wright Hassall Solicitors and Support Addington
Jan 20, 2010 - 11:43 AM
Leamington Spa solicitors, Wright Hassall are proud to support Addington Fund in their work and are pleased to confirm that they will make a donation of 10% of any fee received for the making of a will from any clients introduced by ARC Addington Fund. They recognise the vital work carried out by charities, schools, community projects, sports clubs, religious organisations and the arts and the positive effect they have on the local community.
If you would like to make your Will or to request a pack about making your will, please contact Sarah Spencer or Trudi Miller at Wright Hassall on 01926 884646 or 01926 884689 or email
or
.
For more information or to download our Express Wills pack, please visit http://www.wrighthassall.co.uk/services/wtt_home.aspx
Types of Will Writing Services
Express Will Service
This service is designed for individuals or couples who want a straightforward will. Simply fill in a questionnaire and return it to us and we will draft your will and send it to you for signing. We will also keep your will for you free of charge and provide you with a copy for your records.
Costs: single will £50 plus VAT (£58.75) and for a pair of wills £75 plus VAT (£88.13).
Standard Will Drafting Service
This service is for clients who prefer to meet with a solicitor to discuss your requirements and the issues, take details and produce a draft will for approval. Any amendments can then be made and a meeting arranged to sign the original. We will also keep your will for you free of charge and provide you with a copy for your records.
Costs: single will £135 plus VAT (£158.63) and for a pair of wills £180 plus VAT (£211.50)
Estate and Tax Planning Will Service
This service is appropriate for clients who want to review their affairs and look at ways of protecting their estate from Inheritance Tax, preserving assets from long term care fees assessment, bankruptcy, creating trusts for the benefit of children with learning difficulties, death in service and pension death benefit planning. This involves meeting with a solicitor to discuss the issues and advice on how to structure your affairs and draft your will to protect your assets and beneficiaries.
Costs will vary depending on the level of work required and complexity of the will. Estimates are available on request.
To ensure that the donation is made, please quote ARC Addington Fund.
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Warwickshire County NFU invests in ARC-Addington Fund
Jan 13, 2010 - 01:53 PM
During the Warwickshire County NFU AGM, the Chairman, Paul Rice, and James Walton, County Treasurer, presented Fund Director Ian Bell with a cheque for £8,000. Instead of letting this money sit in a building society account, the funds will be invested in a property purchased by through the ARC-Addington Fund Strategic Rural Housing Scheme, to provide a home for a farming family. In return the County Branch will receive a proportion of the rental income and enjoy a share in any capital apprecition of the property concerned
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Cornwall NFU invests £250,000
Nov 30, 2009 - 03:00 PM
The presence of NFU President Peter Kendal ensured a huge turn out for the Annual County Meeting at The Royal Cornwall Showground on November 23rd. During the meeting, Robert Knowles, Chairman of the Agriculture House Committee, announced that following the sale of Ag House, £250,000 of the receipts would be invested with the ARC-Addington Fund, to provide more housing for farming families in Cornwall.
Earlier this year the Jersey Cattle Society increased their loan to the Fund to £542,000, fully funding three dwellings. Warwickshire NFU has also agreed a loan of £8,000.
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Highgrove
Jun 02, 2009 - 11:28 AM
On May 11th HRH The Prince of Wales welcomed the ARC-Addington Fund and Gloucestershire Farming Friends to Highgrove, where they were treated to a tour of the garden, lunch and a farm tour. The occasion was to thank those who helped with the work of the Fund through the difficult times of 2007.
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