Scotland - Pauline Twemlow

Vice-Chairman: Liz Welsh
Secretary: Lucy Tile
Treasurer: Ann Paterson
CEC Representative: Debbie MacBean
Livestock Representative:Debbie Macbean
Crops representative: Liz Miller
Dairy representative: Alison Allman

There is only one WFU branch for the whole of Scotland and distances between members range up to 220 miles. This causes logistical problems for get-togethers, but WFU still manages to fly the flag at a variety of events.

*Border Union Show*
WFU teamed up the RHET Scottish Borders on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th July to offer a variety of British cheese samples to the Border Union Show visitors. The Orkney cheddar cheese was the firm favourite, but the other varieties were eagerly sampled with the Somerset Brie being judged as excellent. On the stand we emphasised the link between the cows producing the milk, and cheese being the end product by having a range of dairy related items on the stand. We had Scotland the life sized model cow with a dairymaid ready to milk her, an assortment of milking and cheese making equipment and a cheese competition for the children.

Royal Highland Show 2008

** Potatoes in Practice**
11 August, Invergowrie, Dundee; this BPC sponsored event will focus on seed storage and soil management. This FREE event will be the most important gathering for the potato industry in Scotland in 2005.
There will be an opportunity for farmers, advisers and others to view the government and industry-supported research at a single site.
For further information see www.potato.org.uk/pip

AGM
Our AGM was held on 20th February following a tour of the new Scottish Parliament building. Partners and friends took the opportunity to view the building at first hand.

Several members are currently involved with their region's Royal Highland Education Trust Countryside Initiatives. RHET aims to create the opportunity for each child in Scotland to learn about the countryside and to ensure a wider understanding of the environmental, economic and social realities of the countryside in Scotland.

The WFU in Scotland will once again have a stand in the Education Building at the Royal Highland Show and we welcome new and old members to visit us during the Show.

During the recent WFU national conference in Cornwall Hannah Lloyd, aged 6 months, became the youngest member of the WFU at the launch of the under 30s membership package. Hannah joins her mother Ros and grandmother Pauline as members of the WFU.

The Royal Highland Show 24th to 27th June 2004

WFU was at the education stand at the Royal Highland Showstand on Avenue Q and demonstrating the Perfect Picnic. They also showed the Children's Healthy Lunch Box during the 4 days and are had an adult picnic/BBQ on the Thursday to which any WFU Members at the show were welcome to attend.

Members borrowed the Cast of the vegetable man from Norfolk and dressed him with healthy vegetables. He drank a glass of milk rather than a glass of whisky!

The Campaign for Free School Meals - Scottish Bill launched
Free School Meals Bill Launch was on Thursday 18th March. The Bill would give the Scottish Executive the power to introduce free lunches for all schoolchildren or to target the measure at particular age groups (e.g. primary pupils); those in a particular geographic area (e.g. Glasgow); those in receipt of particular benefits or even just in pilot schools. The Bill would also ensure high nutritional standards for school meals, free milk and water (as in Glasgow) and introduce new restrictions on the fast food multi-nationals promoting and selling their products to our children whilst they attend school. Come along and hear the case! Contact Lucy Gillie: lgillie@scotconsumer.org.uk

World Rural Women's Day Conference
'Who are the Rural Women of Today'
A very successful World Rural Woman's Day Conference was held at the Newton Hotel, Nairn on 15th/16th October

Veteran parliamentarian Winnie Ewing spoke about her career as an MP, MEP and MSP at the Dinner the night before the Conference.

On the day of the Conference over 70 delegates listened to a range of speakers giving their views on the subject of 'Who are the Rural Women of Today'

The following morning WFU members travelled to the summit of the Cairngorm and enjoyed fantastic views of Scotland in Autumn. W

e hope everyone who attended the Conference had an enjoyable and informative time and we look forward to many members returning to Scotland in the near future.

A big thank you goes out to all who attended the Conference. The Newton Hotel was in a lovely location and Scotland showed itself off at it's best. I am sure those of you who attended will agree that long journey was well worth it with lots beautiful scenery to enjoy whether you travelled by car, train or plane.

We are very grateful for all who helped make the conference a winner. So thanks to the members (especially Debbie), the speakers, the Hotel, the local producers and the weather.

The lovely hamper of Scottish produce was won by a member in Warwickshire and thanks to Alison who is delivering the non-perishable contents to the winner.

AGM
The opportunity was taken to hold our branch AGM at the close of the Conference.

A newsletter will be sent out to all Scotland members shortly and meantime please get your thinking caps on for ideas Farmhouse Breakfast Week 2004.

www.wfu.org.uk