Derbyshire

- Sarah Helliwell (chairman) Tel: 01433 670250
- Alison Bacon (secretary) Tel: 01773 810402

Derbyshire “School visit” workshop – 17 March 2008

A free, friendly and informal event for farmers ‘just thinking’ about hosting a school visit at their farm is being held between 12.30-3pm on Monday March 17th 2008 at Manor Farm, Dethick, nr Matlock, Derbys DE4 5GG. This is ideal if you are about to start hosting school visits (particularly for the Year of Food and Farming) or getting involved once again and need a refresher course. The event will cover the Year of Food and Farming; why people visit farms; paperwork essentials; practicalities at farm premises; dealing with the teachers; and where to get more help. There is even a free lunch. Booking is essential so please phone 01159 376812 for further information or email sally@feastnet.net

Celebration of Farming – 4th November 2007 Bakewell

The fourth "Celebration of Farming" service will be held in the store cattle auction ring at Bakewell livestock market on Sunday 4 November, starting at 2.30pm. All farmers and their families are invited. The guest speaker is Revd Dr Stuart Burgess, Rural Advocate and executive for the Commission for Rural Communities. Parking will be free. For more information contact Graham Hinds, Derbyshire’s Agricultural Chaplain on 07833 638562.

Farm Walk in Derbyshire

Derbyshire members are invited by NFU county vice chairman Nick Adams to his farm walk on Monday 11 June at 7.00pm. The walk is at Crystal Springs Farm’ Brailsford’ Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 3BG. Nick runs an organic mixed farm with cattle, sheep and cereals. The walk will be followed by a BBQ (bring your own drink). Proceeds to RABI. To book your place ring Nick Adams on 01335 360996.

Bakewell Market

The rural health team at Bakewell livestock market are holding their annual health MOT day on Monday morning the 21st May 2007. In addition to the regular service of the physiotherapist, practice nurse, chiropodist and agricultural chaplain, there will be other health related services available to give every one the opportunity for a "top and bottom engine" check over!

DERBYSHIRE FARMING SERVICE AT BAKEWELL- 5 November 2006
A “Celebration of Farming” service will be held in the store cattle auction ring at Bakewell Market on Sunday 5 November, starting at 2.30pm. All regular farmer traders and their families are invited. The programme will include contributions from across the age range.

WiRE East Midland Newsletter August 2006

Regional Food Hall August / September 2006

Emda has revealed that following detailed research Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens in Derbyshire has emerged as the preferred location for a proposed Regional Food Hall. It is envisaged that the venue will provide a permanent retail opportunity for regional producers selling fresh & speciality foods. Restoration of the Pavilion Gardens building would be an integral part of the plans, which would also feature a café serving food sourced from the Food Hall and regular demonstrations & events. The Food Hall will be serviced from a local distribution facility in Buxton that will deliver to the Hall and also to other shops, hotels, schools etc in the vicinity.

Following extensive research the preferred location to pilot the proposed East Midlands Regional Food Mall is the Pavilion Gardens at Buxton, Derbyshire. Dr Chris Brock, Sector Innovation Manager, of emda is hosting an information event in order to outline the research findings and the process that led to Buxton as the preferred choice. This meeting will provide you as a regional food and drink producer the opportunity to air your views, direct questions towards Chris and generally gain information about how the food mall will work and the ethos behind it.

The research that has been carried out showed support from producers. We need to be certain that there is producer support for the pilot at this location before the emda Board is asked to invest more public funds in the project.

Places for this event are free of charge. Please register by contacting Lorraine Baines (lorrainebaines@emd.org.uk Tel. 0115 947 1788)

WiRE East Midland Newsletter May/June 2006

Agricultural & Horticultural Waste Regulations - 11th April 2006
How to cope with the new rules which come into force on 15 May. Speakers from the Environment Agency and ADAS, followed by a question and answer session. Meetings will start at 7.30pm. NRoSO and BASIS points are available.

Wednesday 17 May
Bluebell Inn, Tissington, Derbyshire DE6 1NH

Please reply to Laura Harrison on 01572 824264 or laura.harrison@nfu.org.uk

Health MOTs for Derbyshire farmers - 26 September 2005
Members of the farming community are invited to come along for a 'Health MOT' at the Bakewell Agricultural and Business Centre on Monday 26 September between 10.00am and 1.30pm.
The MOTs, which are the first of their kind to be held in England and Wales, aim to give farmers and their families the chance to have full health checks by health professionals away from hospitals or general practice.
Visitors to the MOT day will be able to have their blood pressure checked, see the podiatrist, physiotherapist and occupational therapist, and have checks on their eyes and ears. In addition, visitors can receive general check-ups for lumps and bumps and discuss ways to help reduce the risk of heart disease. No appointment is required needed.
For more information please contact Frances Ashfield on 01629 821929 or email francesa@derbysrcc.org.uk

Derbyshire Local Access Forum (outside Peak District) 22nd July 2005
Derbyshire County Council are looking for farmers to join the county's local access forum. This forum is important because it will prepare the rights of way improvement plan for the county and we need to have the input of landowners and farmers into this process as well as the access user groups. Applications to join the forum must be with the County Council by 8 August. Application forms are available by phoning 0845 6058058 or on the website www.derbyshire.gov.uk. Farmers with an interest in access issues should apply immediately.

Cross Compliance Farm Walks
The NFU and cross compliance advisers, Momenta, has planned a series of cross compliance-themed farm walks across the region from late June. The farm walks aim to demonstrate the range of practical measures that meet cross compliance requirements under the Single Payment Scheme. Attendance is free and will be guided by a specialist cross compliance adviser.

Specialist advisers will cover:

• Soil management planning and protection
• Waterlogged soils
• Margin management and protection of hedgerows and watercourses
• Land not in agricultural production - particularly the annual fallowing of land
• Habitat and landscape management (including rights of way, control of weeds, SSSIs)
• Management of overgrazing and supplementary feeding
• Who is responsible for Cross Compliance and the consequences of non-compliance.

BASIS and NRoSO points will be available.

All farm walk sessions start promptly at 10.30am or 1.30pm

To register call the cross compliance helpline on 0845 345 1302.

Dates & Farm Location

• 12 July Hare Hill Farm Sudbury, Ashborne, Derbyshire
• 13 July Upper Booth Farm Buxton, Derbyshire
• 22 July Oaklands Farm Harthill Chesterfield
• 26 July Bircham Manor Farm Bakewell, Derbyshire
• 28 July Derby Hills Farm Ticknall, Derbyshire
• 28 July Lawn Farm Matlock, Derbyshire

For further information visit www.crosscompliance.org.uk

SCHOOLS MEET THE BUYER EVENT - 27TH JUNE 2005
This is an opportunity to meet with several council food buyers including those from Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council. Also in attendance will be Jeanette Orrey from East Bridgford School in Nottinghamshire who has written a book on school food and will talk about her experiences sourcing local food suppliers. The event includes lunch, is free and will provide an opportunity to showcase your products. This event is at 10.30am at Brackenhurst College, Southwell. To register please call Jo Stevenson on 0115 8758884

Come and hear Haddock - 8 March 2005
Richard Haddock, NFU Livestock Chairman will present his thoughts on the future of beef and sheep production post CAP reform and the state of the industry at farmer meetings on the 8th March. Richard will be at the Bakewell Livestock Market at 7.30pm. There will be plenty of time for you to ask questions.

Milk and the SPS - 29th November 2004
7.30pm at the Mackworth Hotel, on the A52 west of Derby.
Tom Hind, Chief Dairy Adviser will be giving the most up to date situation.
To book your place, please contact Brenda Goode, tel 01572 824250 or email EMAdmin@nfu.org.uk

LFA meeting - 17th November 2004
The Derbyshire and Staffordshire LFA Forum will meet on Wednesday 17 November at the Bull i' th' Thorn Inn, Ashbourne Road, Hurdlow at 7.30pm. It is the early stages of discussion with Defra and the EU Commission regarding restructuring of the Hill Farming Allowance (HFA). An open meeting has been arranged for producers in the Less Favoured Area of Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands to discuss measures that could be taken to lessen the impact of the CAP reform, including a redesigned HFA which will replace the current scheme that closes at the end of 2006. Farmers will be invited to put forward proposals, which would be developed by the NFU. To book your place ring NFU regional office, tel 01572 824250 or email Brenda.goode@nfu.org.uk

Help in Derbyshire on moorland appeals - 1st September 2004

Derbyshire farmers on the moorland line should note the NFU are holding a meeting on Wednesday 1st September 2004 at the Lafarge Cement Works Social Club in Hope Valley starting at 7.30pm. They will explain the appeals process and guide members on what they need to do if they are thinking about an appeal for any block of land on their holding. The NFU has also negotiated with the Rural Development Service to improve access to the moorland line maps.

Originally farmers wanting to view the maps had to go to Nottingham. The maps will now be available for viewing at the English Nature Offices, at the Deepdale Business Park, Ashford Road, Bakewell. Farmers must get an appointment by ringing the Nottingham RDS on 0115 9291191 (ask for Phyllis King or Nichola Wilkinson). The maps will be viewable at English Nature Bakewell on Tuesday 31st August; Monday 6th September; Monday 13th September; and Monday 20th September. The RDS Nottingham will continue to operate as a viewing venue, by appointment. You should note that RDS staff can only provide access to the internet site to view the maps. They will not be providing any background information or advice regarding whether a farmer should or should not submit a representation to RPA.

Green Gluing Seminar - 15th July new timber technology
Green gluing is the new technology of the timber processing industry. It enables lower value timber and waste to be processed so it has better utilization. A feasibility study on creating enterprises based on the technology is going to be explored at an event on 15th July between 10.00am and 3.00pm at the Pride Park Football Stadium, Derby. Contact Matthew Cornwell at the Building Research Establishment on 01923 664148 for booking details.

Preparing a new GB strategy on bovine tuberculosis - 28th April
The Government is currently reviewing their TB strategy and consulting the industry for your views on important questions for the future TB strategy. The NFU is holding an open meeting to provide you with up-to-date information on TB, one of the most difficult animal health problems that we currently face in Great Britain. The speaker is Jan Rowe from Gloucestershire, NFU National spokesperson for TB. The meeting will be held at 7.30pm for 8.00pm on Wednesday 28 April, Blue Bell Inn, Tissington, Derbyshire. Please contact Brenda Goode on 01572 824262 or by email ( Brenda.goode@nfu.org.uk ) to book your place.

Exciting news-

A pilot project is being started by Peak District Foods to deliver members' produce in and around the Peak District.

Ruth Dennett of Peak District Fine Foods is developing delivery rounds. If you would be interested in receiving more info and/or having wonderful, high quality, local produce delivered to your door please contact Ruth: 01332 780397 Mob: 077738 94259 dennet@pickburns.fsnet.co.uk

Good eating!

Sue Prince, Project Manager, Peak District Foods for Tourism, University of Derby
Beechenhill Farm Ilam Ashbourne Derbyshire DE6 2BD
Telephone: 01335 310274
Fax: 01335 310467
E-mail: beechenhill@btinternet.com
Web site: www.peakdistrictfoods.co.uk

CAP REFORM - Keep UP TO DATE!
NFU members can get up to date information on CAP at a meeting on

Tuesday 16 March, Concourse, ABC Bakewell: 8.00pm

Cross compliance will be covered at these meetings. This aspect of the reform will have a fundamental affect on farmers and their management. They will need to know what the rules are and how to comply in order to draw down the Single Farm Payment. Defra are consulting shortly.

Book your place, specifying venue and number attending with Brenda Goode at email Brenda.goode@nfu.org.uk or by fax to Brenda Goode on 01572 824251.

New waste regulations for farms
The long-awaited consultation on the inclusion of agricultural waste in the Waste Management Regulations is now promised for February 2004. The NFU has arranged a series of open meetings at which ADAS will give presentations and take questions on the proposals.
The Lincolnshire meeting will take place at Riseholme, Lincoln on 2 March 2004 at 7.30pm

Space will be limited so pre booking is essential. Contact Brenda Goode, tel: 01572 824262 or email Brenda.goode@nfu.org.uk with your name, address and contact telephone number. Farmhouse Breakfast Week

Derbyshire WFU worked with the junior members of Hope Valley Young Farmers Club to give the Hope Valley's Wake up a Shake up on Sunday, 24th January at Loxley Hall, Hope, Hope Valley, Derbyshire.

They served in excess of 100 breakfasts to churchgoers on Sunday morning from 8.30am at the Loxley Hall in Hope. People called in for a sausage, egg or bacon, sandwich with cereals, tea, coffee and fruit juice also available. Those who had already done a days work opted for the "YFC combi" containing sausage, egg and bacon. The hall was full to bursting by 10 am when those attending the annual Plough Sunday service arrived. As the cooks were frantically trying to keep up with demand, guests enjoyed the Farmhouse Breakfast displays and digested facts and figures and details of where the breakfast food could be purchased - all were sourced within the Hope Valley.

Samples of a fantastic range of sausages were handed round. The nettle and pork was particularly popular. Watsons Farm shop, Heatherhill Farm Meats, Bowyers of Hathersage, Castlegate Farm shop, Stoney Middleton and Chatsworth Farm shop all contributed to the event and allowed the Young Farmers to showcase the quantity and quality of traditional butchers shops that are found in the locality. A great time was had by all!

C/O BRITISH FARMING PHOTOGRAPHY
October 2003

Congratulations to Sarah Helliwell's daughter, Alice, who won the under 18s section of the c/o British Farming photographic competition with her photo of the construction of a dry stone wall.

Bakewell Show

10 August 2003

Members of Derbyshire WFU hosted another Cheeky Cheese Party at the Bakewell Show last week.

Branch update - 29 June 2003
There is lots going on in the Peak District at present regarding local foods, school milk, the GM debate and National Parks and of course recent meetings in Europe.

Bakewell Show is looming and Srah Helliwell is "doing" WFU and cheeky cheese. She is also involved with Peak District Food who are attending and doing cookery demonstrations.

Planned CAP Reform Meetings for farmers

The NFU have planned and booked venues for a series of road shows around the region in early July to discuss CAP reform. They are all evening meetings (Times to be confirmed), provisional details are as follows: Derbyshire - Tuesday 1 July, Conference Room, Ag Business Centre, Bakewell.

Programme 2003
Members in Derbyshire are few but effective. They do an excellent job of representing WFU's interests within the county. Unfotunately, their small numbers means that is no longer possible to support a full programme of activities in 2003. Anyone who is interested in supporting this group and getting an active programme up and running again, please contact Sarah by e-mail or telephone as above.

Programme for 2003:

6-7th August

Bakewell Show

Farmhouse Breakfast

Derbyshire fed the campers at Upper Booth Farm with a breakfast of local produce.

Coopers Cafe, Edale (at the start of the Pennine Way) supported Farmhouse Breakfast Week by serving Derbyshire Breakfasts to hikers and campers throughout the week.

All the Derbyshire & Peak District Youth Hostels supported the campaign and Edale Youth Hostel Association served Derbyshire Breakfasts to individual and groups of walkers.

News August 2002

Bakewell Show, 7/8th August 2002

The activity/education area was a hive of activity this year!

The main theme was the great British Breakfast with a colourful display and items of food, kindly loaned by Sheffield health authority library. The children had great fun putting the components of a healthy breakfast on paper plates. Adults were successfully fooled by children offering them very realistic oatcakes and eggs etc!

The school milk campaign linked well with the breakfast theme. There was tremendous support to get Derbyshire LEA to facilitate the provision of subsidised school milk for primary children. The interest was such that we ran out of materials and had to get an emergency delivery of extra. Both the WI and YFC assisted in this promotion. Representatives from the Liberal Democrats stand returned to us for further information. To support the school milk campaign Amelca joined the WFU and gave out samples of fresh Derbyshire milk. Derbyshire milk tied in well with the promotion of the Taste of Derbyshire Local Food directory. Approximately 1000 copies were distributed during the show and some very positive comments received.

Milk was also a significant contributor to the cheese tasting that contained such delights as "Little Hooligan" and "Garlic and Mushroom".

The children had great fun milking two cows and making cow bookmarks. Thanks go to Judy Dilks who cut out 300 cow book marks over the 2 days!!

We also conducted a survey on behalf of LEAF and the LEAF MARQUE quality assurance scheme.

The various promotions and activities linked together so well it could almost have been planned!

Overall great fun and very rewarding.

News May 2002

As branch chairman I represented Derbyshire WFU at the Heart of England Food and Drink Awards last Friday. We were invited to attend by the HETB who partially funded the Taste of Derbyshire & the Peak District project.

The ceremony was held in the magnificent setting of Bolsover Castle. The riding school looked splendid with red, white and blue flowers and table decorations. The four-course meal was preceded by canapés and drinks.

A Taste of Derbyshire & the Peak District was used by HETB to source the local produce for the meal. WFU received recognition on the menu and during the speeches. A very proud moment!

Following lunch the keynote speaker was Raymond Blanc. Very entertaining.

Sir William Lawrence, Chairman of Heart of England Tourist Board made the presentations to the winners. The variety and quality of food & drink in the Heart of England is stunning. I could easily spend the summer visiting all the finalists, a number of which we are pleased to say were from Derbyshire.

Following the Awards the East Midlands Food & Drink Fayre was officially opened by Lloyd Grossman.

WFU were represented at the Food & Drink Fayre on both Friday and Saturday. Jackie Evans & Julia Hawley gave out vast numbers of leaflets and much information to the visiting public. Margaret Borrill was also in attendance on Saturday judging the Bolsover cake competition.

It was certainly a successful event for WFU and for the organisers, the Countryside Agency and Derbyshire County Council.

News April 2002

Following the successful launch of A Taste of the Peak District & Derbyshire, the branch are deciding where to take the project next. A speaker from the Countryside Agency talked to their April branch meeting about the "Eat the View" Campaign. Many members expressed concern about the considerable amount of money that is being invested in a project with no actual "product". This money is supposed to be put supporting agriculture and rural areas in regeneration or development, but is not reaching the target. Far too much is going to administration and organising meetings!

Future activities include a visit to Leatherbritches Brewery followed by a meal and a speaker from The Catalyst Project. The branch will be celebrating Strawberry Day by having strawberry teas at Edale Country Day, where strawberry princesses will be handing out samples.

Branch chairman, Sarah Helliwell, will be attending the Heart of Britain Food & Drink Excellence Awards on 24th May 2002 to represent WFU's 'A Taste of Derbyshire'. She will also be speaking to the BPW High Peak group on 26th September 2002.

Programme 2002

25-27th March	WFU National Conference. "The Future……. Local Sourcing. Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
4th April	Branch meeting -Countryside Agency, Eat the View
2nd May	Branch meeting - Mary Anderson. The Catalyst Project
16th May	Visit to RSPB farm, Cambridge
6th June	Branch meeting - Visit to Leatherbritches Brewery & meal. Details to follow
13th June	Strawberry Day
16th June	Edale Country Day display & activities, promotion of Local Food
4th July	Branch meeting - Farm Visit and BBQ Upper Booth Farm Edale
1st - 4th July	Royal Show
7th/8th August	Bakewell Show. WFU education area.
26th August	Hope Show (TBC)
5th September	Branch meeting. Quiz night.
3rd October	Branch meeting. Speakers panel.
31st October	National AGM. Saddlers Hall, London
7th November	Branch meeting
December	Christmas Dinner

Activities 2001

A most enjoyable evening was had by all at our Christmas dinner in early December.

We are looking forward to an interesting and varied programme during 2002. The Local Food Project is set to be launched in March ready for the new tourist season. As part of the project we are incorporating "Roadshows" into our programme. These will obviously promote the project and WFU at shows and events in Derbyshire and the Peak District.

Current Food & Farming issues of concern in our area include:

-the cost of fodder & bedding for overwintered stock, the current cold spell is causing us to get through our stocks at an alarming rate.

- continuing imports of meat from dubious sources

- the Peakdistrict is one of the first areas of the country that has been "mapped" for the CROW act. This is causing considerable concern in upland areas. There are many, what we sincerely hope are, errors and further evidence of bueaurocrats having no concept of life on the ground. A further concern is that there will be frantic application of fertilizer this spring by some to "improve" land and thereby get it removed from the maps.

- continuing uncertainty in the milk industry

Members are responding to such issues at a local level through networking and letter writing.

www.wfu.org.uk