Somerset YFC

COURSES AND EVENTS THAT MAY INTEREST YOUNG FARMERS

WESTERN SOMERSET WOODLAND PROJECT

• Project history of Western Somerset Woodland Project

- Started in March 2011 as a two year funded project

- Aims to restore, enhance and protect woodland habitats through the promotion of

sustainable management

- Work with schools & communities to help more people enjoy woodlands

- To strengthen local supply chains and improve connections between woodland owners

and businesses

- To work with woodland owners, woodland businesses and local communities

• As part of the Western Somerset Woodland Project it is setting up a Contractors Directory to help

improve the local economy and strengthen supply chains;

- The directory is for all woodland businesses, suppliers, contractors, products and services

- It will be a valuable, up to date source of information covering a large area

- Western Somerset covers from Burnham on sea, south parallel to the M5 to south of

Wellington, west to Brushford, Challacombe and along the coast from Oare. It

incorporates Exmoor National Park

- There will be ample signposting and awareness raising of the Directory through the

Western Somerset Woodland Project and FWAG

- The Directory will have its own website linked to FWAG, the aim is to develop a local

woodland association that will also support the Contractor Directory

- The aim is to have the directory up and running by the beginning of March available

online. It will be downloadable.

• Benefits of membership

- Becoming a member will be ensuring that the economic benefits of managing

woodlands are accrued locally

- It will improve networking between owners and businesses and it will support the sharing

of good practice

- The directory will be available for anyone to access online, so will have a wide

readership within Western Somerset and beyond

- The Woodland Project is supporting local woodland management organisations by

signposting woodland owners to their services & promote partnership working

- An up-to-date Directory does not exist within Western Somerset currently

- It provides good, all year round marketing and affordable advertising

- The project will be working closely with neighbouring projects on the Blackdown Hills and

can refer woodland owners to members

- It will help to maximise business locally

- Develops a stronger network of contractors and woodland owners

- There are around 800 woodlands in Western Somerset, therefore lots of woodland that

either have or may require some form of sustainable woodland management

- The Directory will make it easier for woodland owners to find the right organisation,

service, person for the job required within the local area

- Benefit of being online will be the opportunity to amend information

- Annual membership fee is £25.00 per member or organisation / per year

- Payment can be made by cheque or invoices can be raised

- Annually a reminder will be sent to enquire if members would like to re-new their

membership for the directory and be able to update any information

• How to become a member;

- Complete an application Form, not all information on the form will be used in the

directory. Only sections one and two for business information and services will be used.

The other sections are for the Woodland Project / FWAG only as they have to verify

members are legitimate organisations for legal reasons.

- Submit and return the application to the FWAG SW office (address below) along with a

cheque made payable to FWAG SW or request for an invoice to be raised

Contact details

FWAG SW

Environment Department

County Hall

Taunton

TA1 4DY

Tel: 01823 355427

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

WOMEN’S FOOD AND FARMING UNION PROVIDES FOOD FOR THOUGHT

'FOOD for thought 2012' is the theme of the Women’s Food and Farming Union National Conference being held in Devon in April. Organised by the Devon Branch of the WFU, the event will be held at Bicton College commencing with dinner on April 11^th followed by Conference on 12^th and 13^th April, 2012.   Various conference packages are available. The speakers who have already agreed to attend include University of Exeter Professor and Director of the Centre for Rural Policy Research Michael Winter, who will talk about food security.   Richard Ashworth MEP who will address the question of CAP reform.  Devon farmer Richard Haddock will urge the need for fair trade for UK farmers. Caroline Drummond, Chief Executive of LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) will look at how we feed an expanding global population whilst considering the environment, celebrated Devon cheese-maker Mary Quicke will speak about the Slow Food Movement. Bicton Principal David Henley will talk about inspiring young people, and a young farmer about their vision of the future.  Dr Christianne Glossop, Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, and Dr Marina Morgan microbiologist, will look at issues surrounding animal and human health, John Lee, OBE Chairman of the Devon County Agricultural Association, will chair questions. Rosemary Berry, Chairman of Devon WFU, said: "Devon WFU is extremely honoured to host this year's national conference and delighted that so many distinguished speakers and guests have already pledged their support for the event, including our National Patron, Baroness Byford and President Helen Bower. "The event is open to non-members as well as WFU members and we look forward to welcoming as many people as possible.” “WFU has campaigned to promote of British food and farming for more than 30 years but never has there been a more important time for as many people as possible to understand the issues that affect the industry's future.”

For more information contact Rosemary Berry  Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone: 01884 32320

FARMWATCH MESSAGE

A white Transit sytle flat bed van was disturbed at a Farm in Winford, North Somerset where the driver claimed he was looking for scrap metal. When challenged the vehicle made off at speed towards Regil. The first part of the registration is believed to be WWX or similar. If you should see this vehicle please call the Police on 101. If you are witnessing a crime in progress please call 999. Thank you.

TELESALES  OPPORTUNITIES WITH DAIRY DAUGHTERS

Dairy Daughters, a distributor for World Wide Sires, USA, is expanding its telesales team in Taunton to meet the growing needs of customers and market demand for World class genetics at no nonsense affordable prices.  Dairy Daughters, part of the Cogent group, specialize in the supply of Holstein and Beef semen to UK Dairy Farmers.

The successful applicant will have excellent communication skills, a strong work ethic with preferred previous experience in a sales environment. The applicant needs to be computer literate, possess good organisational skills and have an interest in Dairy Farming. If you are looking for a new and interesting challenge and the opportunity to work with the most exciting and innovative company in the industry, please forward your cv to:  Alison Lovell, Sales Manager, Dairy Daughters, 1 Scott House, Cook Way, Taunton, TA2 6BG or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Closing date for applications is 31^st January 2012.

CMA MEETING

Somerset CMA (The Farm Management Group) meeting:  Monday 20 February 2012, Lester Bowker will be speaking on “The Challenges of Change”.  Lester runs a 750 head outdoor pig herd, 250 ewes, 150 dairy cows, beef, and grows cider apples.  He has a Christmas shop and a light industrial estate.  He started with 50 sows and no tractor, and developed the business to its current multi-enterprise set-up. 

He will talk about the changes he has made and the changes which have been inflicted on him, the mistakes he has made, and what he has learned, to enable him to cope with the next set of changes.

The meeting will be held at Junction 24 Sedgemoor Auction Centre, starting at 8pm.  There is a meal there, beforehand, at 7.15pm at a cost of £6.  No need to book: just turn up. Non members welcome

 For further details contact Richard West:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or  01278 438472.      

NEW COURSES IN CONJUNCTION WITH BRIDGWATER COLLEGE

Eve Clist from Rodway Farm, Bridgwater College has provided information on some up coming courses and booking forms. For more information please visit the Somerset YFC and look at the Weekly Update (External Events and Courses) HERE.

HIP FLASK FAVOURITES RECIPE BOOK

Hip Flask Favourites recipe book. All proceeds of sale will be donated to Springer Rescue for Scotland. Cost £3.50 per copy (includes P&P within the UK). Please make cheque payable to S.Cooke, together with your name and address, to Sue Cook, Allesborough Farm, Allesborough Hill, Pershore, Worcs WR10 2AB. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if further information is required.

BRIDGWATER PANTOMIME SOCIETY

From Friday 20^th January to Saturday 28^th January 2012 Bridgwater Pantomime Society will be performing Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Town Hall, Bridgwater. More information and a booking form are attached below.