The network is in the early stages of establishment, but draws on the experiences of the staff and farmers who have been working for the Cumbria Farmer Network since it was formed in October 2005.

The Network philosophy is that local farmers benefit by working together, especially when facing changes in input prices, regulations, environment and the market place, which affects changes to management practices. They believe that collaborating best satisfies some solutions to problems and opportunities and their members have a responsibility to develop their own solutions in this respect. The Yorkshire Dales Farmer Network will use local farmers as coordinators with professional support for farmers who want to collaborate.

Their aims are to

* maintain and develop a viable farming community
* maximise rural income via food production and other activities
* support, inform and educate
* raise the profile of farming

The entertainment will kick off at around 10:30 with young and talented chef, Craig Allen from Coniston Hall hotel, followed by Bruce Elsworth from The Angel at Hetton. At lunchtime we will be joined by Stephanie Moon from Rudding Park who will be followed by Richard Upton from The Bull at Broughton. John Rudden from the Grassington House Hotel will close what promises to be a fantastic day of culinary delights.

We’re really happy to welcome back Andrew Wood who will be again baking with the children, this is always very popular and Andrew loves to involve his young audience on a practical level, making and baking and learning about ingredients.

NISCU Craven began in 1993. They work together with and get alongside schools to present the Christian faith in a fun and exciting way.
Since September 2003, Primary schools have also benefited from Bible Explorer. An Ofsted approved interactive teaching resource for year 5 & 6 pupils. Over a five week period of one hour lessons it aims to teach the storyline of the Bible. The children receive handouts and learning materials in conjunction with the course.
Peter Thomas joined NISCU as a part time worker in January 2003 and will be joining us in the marquee. He works in both secondary and primary schools in the south part of the Craven area. Before joining NISCU Peter was a full time minister. He has kept this up by combining both jobs and now works part time for NISCU and part time as a minister for a Congregational Church.
At the show Peter and his colleague Emily will be story telling, running drama workshops and craft activities.
In the children’s area there will also be an area where Mothers can feed and change their babies, and enjoy refreshments.

There will be lots of smaller animals for visitors to become better acquainted with including guinea pigs and rabbits and staff on hand to explain more and give advice on how to get on well with our furry freinds.

The farm park is part of a 600 acre working farm situated in Bolton Abbey, one of the most picturesque parts of the Yorkshire Dales uplands.

Home to Sheep, Cattle, Pigs, Goats, Hens, Donkeys, Ponies, Rabbits and Guinea Pigs the park is an ideal place for children of all ages to get close to a variety of animals. They even have a giant Tortoise with a very unusual name!

Visitors to the park can take a stroll around the outdoor paddocks, or sit and relax around the pond with a picnic, scramble around on the outdoor playground or have fun on the huge outdoor pedal go-kart track. Or there’s a trip on the Tractor & Trailer with Farmer Chris who’ll explain what’s happening on the farm and experience some of the farm’s wildlife.

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The wire framed lanterns – which lift into the air with a lighted candle inside them – have become a popular addition to wedding festivities but the CLA says people need to understand the threat they pose to livestock and to standing crops.

The problem is that the paper lanterns burn out leaving the wire frames to fall to earth. Sales of the lanterns are reported to have reached 100,000 last year and the CLA says this represents an immense potential for damage.

“At this time of year we are approaching silage and hay making time – if the wire frames from these lanterns get into livestock feed it would pose a threat to animals and could cause them serious injury or death,” said CLA Regional Director, Dorothy Fairburn.

Miss Fairburn also said the fire risk to standing crops of corn and to hay and straw barns was also very worrying.

“Chinese lanterns may be romantic and may look very pretty, but people who propose to celebrate their marriage by sending them off into the sky should understand the potential fire and animal health threat they are releasing. We think this is a genuine health and safety issue.

Biodegradable frames have been suggested as an alternative to wire – but whatever manufacturers do they cannot eliminate the fire risk and that, in itself, surely poses sufficient threat to justify banning the use of these lanterns,” she added.

The Prince of Wales, a long time supporter of upland hill farmers, has long been concerned about the low prices farmers have been receiving for their fleeces. In February 2009 His Royal Highness convened a meeting at Clarence House of representatives of wool producers, the fashion, retail and carpet industries, textile designers and the fire service to see how the problem could be addressed.

Wool grower organisations from the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand and others, including Marks and Spencer, will launch a consumer facing campaign in the Autumn that will communicate the advantages of wool to the general public.

‘The Wool Project’ Chairman and Director, Pastoral Alliance (NSA) John Thorley said,

Wool is a sustainable, natural product – the production of which involves far lower carbon emissions than man-made fibres. It is perfect for domestic use as a natural insulator and is naturally fire retardant. We are delighted that The Prince of Wales has helped bring us all together to communicate its many benefits to the public, and help improve the market for sheep farmers across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

There were fears that there would be huge reductions in the UK’s sheep flocks as the price hit a low of 10p per fleece at a time when the price of sheep at market was also devastatingly low. Prices have bounced back now, with some fleeces fetching £5 per fleece.

The UK is the seventh largest wool producer in the world. Prince Charles got behind the industry earlier this year launching the Wool Project which encourages thinking up new uses for it.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society was ahead of the game and for its new building housing the regional agricultural centre, farm shop and restaurant, installed wool as wall insulation.

Aimed at preserving the county’s ancient craft of dry stone walling, the biennial competition recognises and rewards the people behind the miles of distinctive walls that define Yorkshire’s famous landscapes.

Held in association with the Yorkshire Dry Stone Walling Guild, the competition is believed to be unique in Britain as it judges new or rebuilt walls in the countryside and is not a contest between wallers building temporary short stretches.

CLA Yorkshire regional director, Dorothy Fairburn, said: “This is a great opportunity to promote and reward the skills and achievements of those who work to preserve Yorkshire’s distinctive dry stone walls and ensure the continuation of the craft.”

Marks are awarded for use of local style, impact on the landscape, tidiness and difficulty of terrain. The winner receives the perpetual challenge trophy – a stunning engraved glass walling stone.

The current title holder is 27 year-old Steven Marsden from Long Preston, Skipton, who impressed judges in 2008 with an outstanding 225 metres (246 yards) of new wall adjacent to the bridleway at Stainforth, near Settle.

The competition is open to all wallers who live and work in Yorkshire and is free to enter. Further details and an entry form is available on the Yorkshire pages of the CLA website – www.cla.org.uk – or by calling the CLA on 01347 823803.

The 2010 event was staged over three days in January at Scaife Hall Farm, Blubberhouses, hosted by on-farm accommodation providers Chris and Christine Ryder.

It was organised and run jointly by REAL Food and Farming and local members of Farm Stay UK, Britain’s biggest network of farm-based accommodation providers.

A total of 164 farmhouse big breakfasts were served up, with Barclays Bank stepping in as main sponsor, coupled with support from local and regional suppliers and individuals.

The money raised goes towards ARC-Addington Fund’s Strategic Rural Housing Scheme, which provides housing for farmers and their families who have to leave their farms for a variety of reasons.

Fund director Ian Bell OBE said:

In the last 12 months, we have invested £1.2 million in Yorkshire alone in support of farming families – for example, people finding it difficult to cope following a fatal accident at one end of the spectrum, through to assisting retiring farm tenants who require help through our shared equity scheme.

Fund-raising of this nature is absolutely fundamental to our needs us and we want to spread the message to other farming families across the UK who may be facing similar problems that we are here to help them through their difficulties.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire Charity Big Breakfast organisers report that a venue has already been agreed for the 2011 fund-raiser – St George’s Court B&B, Old Home Farm, High Grantley, Ripon, to be hosted by Will and Lindsey Hitchen.

Pictured at the 2010 Yorkshire Charity Big Farmhouse Breakfast cheque presentation are, from left, Steven Crabtree, of Bolton Abbey, chairman of REAL Food and Farming, ARC-Addington Fund director Ian Bell, Christine Clarkson, of Bondcroft Farm B&B, Embsay, Dave Jones, Barclays’ North of England agricultural manager, and host Christine Ryder.

Husband-and-wife farmers and on-farm accommodation providers Chris and Christine Ryder threw open their doors at Scaife Hall Farm, Blubberhouses, for the 2010 feast, which raised £4200 for the ARC-Addington Fund.

The national charity helps maintain the economic and social fabric of UK farming communities, notably through its Strategic Rural Housing Scheme, which provides housing for farmer and their families who have to leave their farm and cannot find anywhere suitable to live.

ARC-Addington Fund director Ian Bell OBE said:

“Fund-raising is vital to us and the resounding success of the Yorkshire Big Breakfast event is very appropriate, as we have been particularly active of late in re-housing a number of families across the county who have been forced to come out of farming or have retired.

“We’d like to hear from other families who may be facing similar problems. Many farmers are not keen to talk to us and are prepared to ‘struggle on regardless.’ What we want to them know is that potential help could well be available. We’re only a phone call away.”

The 2010 Big Breakfast was organised and run jointly by REAL Food and Farming and local members of Farm Stay UK, Britain’s biggest network of farm-based accommodation providers.

It again shone the spotlight on the value and importance of using quality local produce, as well as the starting the day with a healthy, nutritious breakfast.

Barclays Bank was main sponsor, with support also received from other local and regional suppliers and individuals – John & Rachel Gate, Hearts & Flowers, Bellerby’s Dairy, Mackenzies Smokehouse, Crimple Valley Fresh, Arthur Haigh Butchers, Threaplands Farm Bakery, Bolton Abbey Foods, Craven Bacon Supplies, Coffee Care Northern, Paxtons Farm Meats, Bracken Hill Fine Foods, Harrogate & Nidderdale Farm Stay Group, Shortridge Laundry, Bolton Abbey Estates, Stephenson & Son, Ripon Farm Services, Denise Eagland & Daphne Wilson.

A venue is already in place for the 2011 Charity Big Breakfast – St George’s Court B&B, Old Home Farm, High Grantley, Ripon, to be hosted by Will and Lindsey Hitchen.