Members visiting our ring-side stand at the two-day June show had the chance to meet NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins and Director General Sophie Throup on day one.
Both addressed a packed marquee before mingling with members at an afternoon drinks reception to discuss a range of topics and issues, alongside Lincolnshire County Chair Henry Moreton, Holland (Lincs) County Chair Heather Oldfield, NFU Midlands Regional Director Rob Newbery, Lincolnshiire County Advisers Rhonda Thompson and Johanna Musson, Holland (Lincs) County Adviser Gabriella Gregory, county officeholders and group secretaries.
Politicians made a beeline for the NFU stand too, allowing a key lobbying opportunity for staff, officeholders and members. Shadow Defra Secretary of State Victoria Atkins MP, Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Robbie Moore MP, South Holland and The Deepings MP Sir John Hayes, Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh, Sleaford and North Hykeham MP Dr Caroline Johnson and Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire Andrea Jenkyns all spent time in the marquee.
NFU Sugar Board Chair Martin Emmett chaired a well attended sugar beet discussion and members had the chance to get expert advice from the NFU's Senior Adviser (Support Schemes) Richard Wordsworth, Horticulture Adviser Zoe Moore and bTB Adviser Mike Weavers on day one. On day two, Chief Livestock Adviser (Beef & Lamb) John Royle and Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahoney were on-hand to speak to visiting members.
At our drinks reception, NFU Grantham Branch was presented with the Neville Cup for its dedication and charitable work. Grantham Group Secretaries Alison Gemmell and Emily Jenkins have put on multiple successful events for their members and the branch is continuing to do an outstanding job with the Grantham Food Bank.
The branch has now raised more than £6,500 of member donations for this purpose and the members are entirely responsible for the foodbank receiving fresh produce free of charge:
- 150 litres of fresh milk per week
- 30 dozen fresh eggs per week
- 5 sacks of potatoes per week
- 20 kg of fresh cheese per month
- Carrots
- Sugar
Grantham Branch Chair, Ann Harrison, provides her own fresh milk and helps to coordinate this.
Andrew Ward MBE was presented with an award for his hard work and dedication in his six years in the role of council delegate. Andrew ensured Lincolnshire members' views were represented strongly at NFU Council. He also founded agricultural charity Forage Aid in 2013 and uses his You Tube Channel, Wardy’s Waffle to highlight farming issues.
NFU Energy held a drop-n clinic, with NFU members encouraged to bring along a recent utility bill for a free energy contract review.
Visitors enjoyed a ploughman's lunch brimming with local produce and a busy bar as a cloudy and breezy first day gave way to glorious sunshine on day two.