This week, Addington trustee Christine Ryder was part of a cheque presentation from the recent Yorkshire Breakfast. A grand total of £8,748.34 was donated to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Addington Fund. A fantastic effort from all those who helped Lindsey and all those who came and supported the event. Thank you so much to everyone who supported this breakfast in any way.
Addington Fund plan fund raising farmhouse breakfast in Warwickshire
The Addington Fund is planning a fund raising breakfast on Wednesday 21st February 2018 at the Ashwin Suite, Stratford Livestock Market at Stratford Agricultural Park.
The breakfast is part of a series organised by the Addington Fund, a farming charity set up during the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in 2001 to support livestock farmers across the country.
Sheila Cole, Chair of the Addington Fund trustees said, “These breakfast events help us to raise funds and increase awareness of the work we do and it’s also a really good social occasion with everyone who takes part having a really good time.”
Breakfast will be served from 10.00 hrs. There is no charge for the meal but guests are asked to make a donation which will be shared equally between the Addington Fund and the RABI.
Since 2002 the main focus of the Addington Fund has been to provide appropriate housing to tenant farmers needing to leave their farms and in doing so lose their home.
Search under way for Devon Farm Business Awards winners 2018
The search is on for excellence in Devon agriculture as the fifth Devon Farm Business Awards were launched this week (Monday, February 5, 2018).
The awards highlight the excellence and dynamism of farming in Devon at a time of great uncertainty within the agricultural sector and are organised by the Addington Fund, the Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA) and leading regional solicitors Stephens Scown.
Sheila Cole, Chairman of Trustees of the Addington Fund said: “The Devon Farm Business Awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that is great about Devon’s farmers. The Addington Fund is deeply committed to helping the farming community in Devon. Farmers are not great at singing their own praises, but these awards are a real chance for the county’s farmers to receive the recognition they so richly deserve. The trustees are very grateful for the ongoing support of Stephens Scown, Devon County Agricultural Association and all the sponsors, which has contributed greatly to the success of the Awards.”
Phil Reed, partner and head of rural services at Stephens Scown said: “Farmers are notoriously reluctant to shout about their success, but that is exactly what we need to do. The Devon Farm Business Awards is our way of saying thank you and celebrating success. Please take the time to put yourself forward, or nominate another farmer who is doing great things. We need to give the sector the recognition it deserves for the enormous contribution it makes to all of our lives.”
Mrs Mary Quicke MBE, Chairman of the DCAA, said: “The Devon Farm Business Awards provide so many inspiring examples of how family farming businesses are rising to the many challenges of today’s world. And that has never been more important, given the many uncertainties that still surround the Brexit process and its implications for farming. What we can be sure of, however, is that the best farming businesses, in terms not only of production efficiency, but also customer focus and environmental awareness, will survive and prosper whatever the future holds.
“By turning the spotlight on those businesses, and highlighting the lessons they provide, the awards have a key role in equipping us for that future. Not just the DCAA, but the industry as a whole in Devon and beyond, owes a great debt of gratitude to our sponsors for making the awards possible, with all the benefits they bring.”
Farmers and growers in Devon are invited to apply for one of the following categories:
Best Commercial Farmer
Best Dairy Farmer
The CAAV John Neason Diversification Award
Devon’s Best Young Farmer
Best Woman in Farming
Farming Champion
Lifetime Achievement Award
Devon’s Farmer of the Year will be awarded from the category winners.
Entries close on March 16, 2018, with the winners being announced at a gala dinner to be held on the eve of the Devon County Show, on Wednesday, May 16 at the showground at Westpoint, Exeter.
Information about the awards, the various categories and how to enter can be found at www.addingtonfund.org.uk/events
St George’s Court Charity Farmhouse Big Breakfast nets close on £7K
Bring on the Big Breakfasts! Pictured at St George’s Court are, standing from left, Julie Houseman, of The Old Calf Shed B&B, Prospect House Farm, Lindley, Otley, Liz Gudgeon, Crown Cottage Farm B&B, Embsay, Skipton, and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s North Yorkshire Community Fundraiser Olivia Mulligan and volunteer Alan Broadfoot.
Seated, from left, are Christine Ryder, of Scaife Hall Farm B&B, Blubberhouses, also a trustee of the Addington Fund, host Lindsey Hitchen, Ian Robson, Barclays’ regional agricultural manager and the bank’s regional agricultural director John Pinches.
Over 200 Farmhouse Big Breakfasts were served up for charity at the latest fundraiser staged by Yorkshire members of Farm Stay UK.
The 2018 hosts were Lindsey and Will Hitchen, of St George’s Court B&B, based at Old Home Farm, High Grantley, near Ripon, and the three-day event raised almost £7,000 for national farming charity, Addington Fund, and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
This also included the proceeds of a standalone two-course hot supper for another 60 guests, where entertainment was provided by local singer, guitarist; writer, journalist, TV presenter and producer Chris Berry.
It was the second Big Breakfast bonanza staged by the couple. The first in 2011 netted over £3,000 for the same two charities, with the latest event boosting the St George’s Court kitty to around £10,000.
Multiple sponsors stepped forward to support the event, both financially and with product donations. Keynote sponsors were Ripon accountants Eura Audit, Barclays Bank’s agricultural division, who again sent two of their senior personnel every day to work with the ladies, and Craven Cattle Marts in Skipton.
Over the years, other regional members of Farm Stay UK, the country’s largest network of farm-based accommodation providers, have laid on charity Big Breakfasts, which have netted many thousands of pounds, primarily for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Addington Fund, which offers a vital lifeline and safety net to farmers in desperate need of housing or emergency funds.
“Once again, both sponsors and Big Breakfasters gave us fantastic support. We cannot thank them enough,” said Mrs Hitchen.
Further info: Robin Moule, Moule Media, 01756 794027, email robin@moulemedia.com Or contact Lindsey Hitchen on 01765 620618, mobile 07725 780362, or email info@stgeorgescourt.co.uk
Addington Fund/RABI Cornish Farmhouse Breakfast at Grigg’s Restaurant, Cornwall.
A successful breakfast event held at Grigg’s Restaurant, Lower Sticker, St Austell has raised funds for farming charities Addington Fund and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.
Sheila Cole, Chairman of the Addington Fund Trustees said, “Grigg’s Restaurant kindly host the breakfast every year and we are really grateful to Michael Grigg and all his staff for their support. As usual it was an excellent breakfast with all the volunteers working so hard to make it all happen. Thank you to everyone who came and enjoyed the delicious Cornish breakfast, and to our sponsors; Barclays, Gold Top, Coodes, Folk2Folk and Colin Carter Eggs
Addington Fund breakfast a huge success in Devon
A breakfast event held at Ashcombe Village Club which serviced over 75 meals has raised funds for Addington Fund and Ashcome Village Club.
The breakfasts are part of a series of events which are held across the country as part of Farmhouse Breakfast Week.
Sheila Cole, Chairman of the Addington Fund Trustees said, “These breakfast events help us to raise funds and increase awareness of the work of our charity. . They are also a really good social occasion.”
“The Village Club has been the venue for the breakfast for a number of years and has always been a very successful and happy occasion with an excellent breakfast. This year was no exception and the volunteers who worked so hard at the organisation seemed to make everything appear so easy. Our thanks go in particular to Ralph Rayner and Sharon Gay for promoting and hosting the event, to our sponsors Barclays, Gold Top, Stephens Scown and Folk2Folk, and especially everyone who came to enjoy the breakfast on the day” Sheila added.
Addington Fund is recruiting for a new Chief Executive Officer
A unique opportunity to take charge and drive forward Addington Fund
THE POSITION
- Reporting into the Trustees, the CEO will lead the organisation and develop as well as implement robust long-term strategies to ensure the continued delivery of its core objectives.
- Ensure sound financial and administrative stewardship of the organisation as well as spearheading its growth and fundraising efforts.
- Promote and drive awareness of the charity and continue to work in close collaboration with other key rural charities, agri-businesses and the wider farming community.
- Evolve the team’s capability, enhancing skills and performance. Deliver best in practice people management, ensuring the charity’s status as an employer of choice.
THE CANDIDATE
- Charismatic, energetic and persuasive leader with entrepreneurial and creative mind-set. Decisive and strategically adept with exacting service standards.
- Strong track record in delivering commercial, social and ideally environmental value.
- Possesses strong network across a broad range of key stakeholders with excellent communication skills.
- Empathy with rural businesses and their wider communities, as well as the charity’s overarching aims.
This post is advertised with Hanover Fox International and interested parties must apply with their CV directly to them. Please do not contact Addington directly about this position.
New Date for Cornwall Farm Business Awards
We are pleased to announce a revised date for the 2018 Cornwall Farm Business Awards and apologise to our sponsors and supporters for the confusion caused by the delay of this news, and would like to thank you for bearing with us.
The Awards have been rescheduled for Thursday 26 April 2018 and will recognise the individuals, families and companies for their ability and contribution to Cornish agriculture.
Please head to the CFBA section on our Events page for more details
RECRUITMENT OF NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE
The Trustees of the Addington Fund are seeking to recruit a new Chief Executive to lead the organisation forward and build on the success that has been achieved over the past 17 years.
Mr. Ian Bell has led the Addington Fund since 2001 and has now decided to move on. Mr. Bell has made a tremendous contribution to the Addington Fund which the Trustees fully acknowledge.
The structure of the organisation has been under review for some time to make sure that the administration of the Charities’ major portfolio for housing continues to grow and that there is support for all fund raising events.
“Since the charity was launched in the aftermath of foot and mouth disease it has gone from strength to strength providing homes and support for a wide range of farming families, from retiring tenant farmers to the younger generation who seek to enter the agricultural industry. The Charity has also given support during flooding disasters etc and will continue to give that support when necessary” says Mrs. Sheila Cole, Chairman of Trustees of the Addington Fund “We are grateful for all the support of former staff and volunteers. We hope that through appointing a new Chief Executive we can build on this success and take one of the essential rural charities forward.”
The search for a new CEO is being handled by Hanover Fox International.
One day this will all be…well whose?
The Addington Fund has been delighted to participate in seminars organised by the CLA SW team looking at a different angle of succession planning. Seminars in Gloucestershire and Devon have concentrated on farming businesses with no successors. Professionals from the world of land management, tax and law gave views on the various avenues available, recognising the sensitivity of all the issues around succession.
At a recent strategy meeting, the Trustees of the Addington Fund focused on supporting the next generation of farmers by continuing to provide housing to older tenant farmers wishing to retire and by doing so creating new opportunities and developing a portfolio of farmland through legacies to be able to offer farm tenancies. If you would like to discuss making a legacy to the Addington Fund please contact us.
Where is the Food in Farming?
Left to right
Hugh Fell, Fiona Fell, Felicity Hails, Agricultural Relationship Director for Lloyds Banking in Northumberland and Co Durham, Geoff Hall, Area Agricultural Director for Lloyds Banking in North East and Yorkshire, Ian Bell
Hugh and Fiona Fell led a thought provoking breakfast at Carnaby’s, Louis and Amelia Fell’s new restaurant at Brownieside, Northumberland. Amelia produced an unconventional breakfast and guests had to work out what was in each item. Louis did make it a little easier at one point as we had some delicious bacon from his rare breed British Saddleback pigs! Having established the ingredients for breakfast and identified the provenance Hugh and Fiona challenged our guests; are you farmers or food producers. It was a wonderful opportunity to raise the awareness of the Addington Fund. Lloyds Banking Group very generously covered the cost of breakfast and we are grateful for the support of Geoff Hall, Area Agricultural Director for the North East and Yorkshire and his colleague Felicity Hails who made time to be with us. Thank you Hugh, Fiona, Louis and Amelia for all your help and all our guests for their company and generosity.
A Disney Harvest Supper!
Ian Bell with members of Blandford YFC
Our final Harvest Supper for 2017 with members of Blandford Young Farmers Club was certainly unique. Members very generously invited all the people who had helped the club during the last twelve months and County Office Holders for a three course meal, served by the Seven Dwarfs-only there were about twenty of them and most over 6’ 3’’! It was a fantastic evening where we heard all about the club’s activities during the year and their achievements at County and National level.
Throughout the year the club members have been raising money for the Addington Fund from their various events including a very ambitious Vintage and Steam Rally on the hottest day of the summer. During the supper George and Katie presented a cheque to Ian Bell for £372.14. Thank you all for your hard work and for such an entertaining evening.
