As we reflect upon the year, it is always heartening to see the Farmers Weekly celebrating the champions of our industry with its annual Farming Awards. These are presented to individuals across all sectors, including dairy, beef, sheep, arable, students, young farmers, contractors, advisers, diversification, farm workers and life time achievers.

The process of finding the winners is rigorous, and those who are nominated and shortlisted, definitely deserve this recognition. They are ambassadors of the industry, and most are well known in their area, and are obviously greatly admired and successful.

I wonder though if there should be another category, for the unsung heroes. The farmer who toils day in and day out tending livestock, growing crops, and keeping their corner of the countryside tended, and cared for. There are many farmers of all ages, who fall below the radar, often in isolation and with little or no help.

They produce perfect crops, and livestock which have been nurtured with tender care from the day they were born. They are in time presented at market or the slaughterhouse with little fanfare, and are snapped up by local farm shops and family butchers, who recognise the high quality of welfare, and importantly taste, which is so often lacking from more commercial livestock farms.

If it were not for the dogged determination of these often long established farming families, which benefit from generations of experience, and not a little bloody mindedness, required to weather and embrace every storm and difficulty they encounter, these small traditional farms, which survive largely unnoticed, could long ago have been taken over by large conglomerates or developers.
 
Perhaps next year the Farmers Weekly could introduce a new category. We all know some very worthy candidates.
 
The Woman’s Hour 70th anniversary list of influential woman has caused some controversy. It is not about who was on the list so much as who was left off. Whatever one’s politics Margaret Thatcher was rightly on the list, but what about Her Majesty the Queen, who this year became our longest reigning Monarch? Mother Theresa, and Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League of Democracy, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, and many other international awards? And what about Malala Yousafzai, the young schoolgirl shot by the Taliban for campaigning for the rights of girls to go to school.

It seems extraordinary that Beyonce, ‘Bridget Jones’, and some of the others should take precedence over such admirable, genuine heroines, whose sense of duty is undisputed.
 
It will be interesting to see the New Year honours list. Hopefully there will be no additions to the already over bloated ranks in the House of Lords, which the departing David Cameron added to in a final gesture of defiance.

It is always heart-warming to note when individuals from within ones community are recognised appropriately for the notable contribution they make. Similar to the unsung farming heroes, there are many who quietly help others, making their neighbours lives better either privately, or as representatives on local councils, and charitable committees. 

2016 has been momentous, both here and in the USA. The 24th June was indeed UK Independence Day, as Nigel Farage so eloquently said. All being well, in time we shall regain control and sovereignty of our great nation and our borders. 

The opportunities and benefits ahead are boundless. However, as with anything truly worthwhile achievement, time and true grit are the tools required to succeed. 

The UK’s future is global, and so are our true trading allies. We must not allow those wishing to sabotage the legal democratic electoral procedure to interfere, as a nation we must show a united front.
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The history books will question if British Bulldog Nigel Farage is not included in the New Year Honours, considering his historic achievement. It will be interesting to see if Mrs May can bring herself to swallow her pride, and acknowledge his unique triumph, and his friendship with President elect Trump.
 
I wish you a very Happy and prosperous New Year.

We don’t have a bull, but if we did, should I or my neighbour who does, think twice before putting up a sign on the gate saying ‘Beware the Bull’?

By all accounts by labelling beasts with dangly bits which are not udders, whose job it is to sire future progeny on the farm, as males, we could possibly be accused by the PC brigade of making unreasonable and offensive assumptions.

The story last week which raised the issue of school children no longer being addressed as boys and girls, in case one may not be sure into which category they fall, is surely absurd.

I dare say the people behind this ridiculous proposal think it is a good idea, but quite frankly they should consider the harm they are doing before making such a suggestion. Life is hard enough for the young, why make the world more complicated and distorted?

There are children who appear to be ‘confused’ regarding their gender, but I do not believe it is right, or healthy to mess with the heads of all children, by making growing up more difficult than it is already.

Parents and families should be left to nurture the vagaries of their offspring. As has always been the case, sensitivity about personal issues should be high on the agenda of teachers into whose care they are placed. But, interference from schools and authorities, which consider re-labelling children as anything but boys and girls, is an utter nonsense.

As for my neighbour’s bull, just in case his feelings are in danger of being hurt, I will make a point of interviewing him personally before the New Year!
 
As beautiful Christmas cards cascade onto our doormats, it is quite clear that the traditional robin has won the popularity stakes.

The national survey taken earlier this year concluded that the robin is the nation’s favourite bird. Not only are these little creatures appealing with their bright red breasts, they are also one of the most sociable of our garden birds. It is rare to venture out into the garden and not find a little robin eager to keep one company. For such a small bird they have huge charisma, and make one smile as they hop about keeping one company and a beady eye on one’s progress.
 
It is interesting that it appears to be the most successful and intelligent businessmen, and the most popular, wise and thoughtful politicians who are actively supporting Brexit. The advantages of de-coupling the UK from the EU and Single Currency are so blatantly obvious, one has to question the motives of those who are doing their best to throw spanners into the workings of the legitimate process of leaving.
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A majority of the public are rightfully becoming exasperated by the misinformation and scare stories being put about, by those who are determined that the UK should remain attached to the apron strings of this outdated, bureaucratic, undemocratic bunch of bullies. Mrs May and her ministers must hold their heads high and kick on, for they hold all the cards and have nothing to lose.
 
The Better Together Wivelsfield Christmas Day Lunch is more popular than ever. This year ninety people will sit down in the Village Hall for lunch, which will be prepared and served by a wonderful bunch of volunteers. The turkeys are donated by local farm shops and family run butchers, and most of the accompanying food is donated and cooked by kind people who wish to support this most enjoyable event.

Christmas day can be one of the loneliest of the year, particularly if you live alone, or just feel isolated by circumstances. The joy and happiness that such community spirited gatherings create amongst both guests and the many helpers, is a pleasure to behold. As two young seasoned helpers said to me recently, “the Better Together Christmas Day Lunch is what Christmas is all about. Christmas would not be the same if we could not be part of this special occasion.”
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I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

The Farmers Weekly is right to warn those of us who are waiting patiently for our Single Farm Payments, to beware of fraudsters who are known to take advantage where ever they see an opportunity.

These payments which should arrive in December, compensate farmers for years of poor advice from successive governments, world market prices, and the heavy cost of adhering to the bureaucratic nonsense and red tape, including ‘climate change’ and environmental policies, which are lining the pockets of a different type of fraudster.

Basic agricultural products have rarely commanded a lower income for the farming industry. Grain and milk currently suffer the worst, but others are also struggling. These are times when the industry should be supported, not hit at every corner with additional costs.

The income from the Common Agricultural Policy, through the Single Farm Payment system, is in many instances, only just keeping the wolf from the door. It is therefore essential that farmers receive the payments now.

Increasingly farmers have, as encouraged to do by successive governments, ministers and memorably by Sir Don Curry in 2001, (now Lord Curry), diversified buildings into alternative uses such as offices, farm shops, tea rooms and residential properties. We now face the introduction of the Private Rented Sector Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards regulations. These require all privately rented properties to achieve Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) level E, before they can be let to a new tenant as from 1 April 2018.

The cost to have these buildings rated is not insignificant. And, the major work required to bring offices, most of which are old farm buildings, without cavity walls, and roofs which are clearly ‘agricultural’, up to level E will incur exceptionally high capital costs.

Financial penalties for non-compliance set out in the regulation are based on the rateable value with a minimum fine of £5,000 and up to a maximum of £150,000, for continued non-compliance.

Not only do we face these unnecessary costs with commercial buildings, we also have to upgrade all residential tenanted properties, many of which are old and also without cavity walls, and few have double glazing.

When reorganising aid for the agricultural industry, future support should consider aiming some towards such capital improvements, particularly as most of these buildings are in fact perfectly habitable as they are.

However, at a time when data shows that world temperatures have cooled, and any spikes are the result of natural causes, and not man made, a whole industry has been created by profiteering scaremongers, which is being financed with the blessing of the government, by hard working farmers and small businesses. Many of which are doing their best to remain independent, pay our taxes, employ locals, and maintain the countryside and produce sustainable British food.

As  illustrated in The Mail on Sunday very graphically, the recent report which is based on Nasa satellite measurements, and now backed up by the authoritative Met Office ‘Hadcrut4’ surface, which is compiled from 3,000 weather stations located around the world, shows that recent spikes were caused by El Nino – Not by man.

The vote to leave the EU means that food security must be the main driver for British farmers and growers. As we are released from the Common Agricultural Policy, as NFU President Meurig Raymond recently said, “The UK can now set its own agenda, with the farming and food industry leading the way”.

What is essential, is that food production is the priority, and although important the environmental work, which most farmers undertake anyway, should take a back seat. The essential civil engineering work to rivers and flood plains should be undertaken by the reintroduction of the River Authority. Since its demise the state of our rivers and streams is a scandal, and the cause of much of the devastating floods.
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The world will be our oyster, as the UK will soon become the single largest export market for the EU. The government needs to take full advantage of this new marketplace open to us, and negotiate an increased degree of international trade.

There is much talk amongst farmers who rely heavily upon imported man power, as they look to the future post Brexit.

Farms with labour intensive crops, which require picking and processing, rely heavily upon migrant workers, mostly from the Eastern bloc. They have for decades come to the UK to pick fruit and vegetables; some seasonally and others have settled here permanently.
 
It is noteworthy that farmers value these workers very highly. Mainly because they are willing to work hard, and learn the skills required. They are reliable and loyal, and appreciate the good wages they receive. (Some earn as much as £700/week).

Most bosses take good care of their work force, giving them clean and comfortable accommodation, and show concern for their welfare.

In nearby towns and villages there are unemployed locals who are content to live on welfare. They would not consider this good honest work, because they consider such employment beneath them!

Even if they do give it a try, as we have in the past with apple pickers, they do not have the work ethics, they lack stamina and any sense of responsibility. They will not put in the hours, or learn new skills, and are on the whole averse to taking orders.

There is a large sector of the British workforce which is unemployable. If this were not the case, the need to rely upon immigrant labour would be unnecessary. However, modern technology is moving fast and as seen on Country File, the robots are coming and quite soon Man Power will be replaced by automata.

In my next life I am definitely coming back as a dog. Not any old mutt, but a well pampered pet. My ‘slave’ will have an AGA, a wood burner and take care of me as if I were one of the family!

And of course included in the package would be private health care with a reputable local vet, so when sick or injured I get immediate and efficient attention.

Having experienced the vagaries, inefficiency and chaos of the NHS last week, it is clear is that Jo Public really does get a raw deal compared to pampered pooches.

One cannot fault the individuals who work within the health service, they do their best under difficult circumstances. However, as I and others can see, having spent far too much time waiting for hours, none too patiently, in A & E, they cannot cope with the quantity of patients, as they do not have enough doctors, nurses and technicians. God help the system when there is a major incident.

Until recently it had not occurred to me how Sussex Hospitals Trusts get vital blood, platelets, patient notes, human infant milk or samples transferred between London and local hospitals after hours. One would assume they used costly couriers, or press gang police cars or ambulances for an emergency deliveries. That was until I met SERV Sussex volunteers.

‘Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers’, is a registered local charity, which was set up in 1981. These remarkable volunteers supply a FREE, rapid and reliable means of transporting these products to local hospitals between the hours of 7pm and 6am, seven nights a week, including weekends and national holidays.
SERV Sussex responds to in excess of 700 calls in the county, saving the local hospitals an estimated £100,000 annually. Thus allowing re-deployment of much-needed funds for improved patient care and other essential facilities within the local NHS Trusts.

The volunteer bike riders and drivers work on a rota, and wait to respond to urgent calls relayed via their county controller, who works from home. They generally use their own machines and pay for the petrol themselves. The riders and officers of the charity are all unpaid volunteers.

They do their own fund raising and will often support other organisations such as the police, with escorts and other services. They are a remarkable bunch of people who come from all walks of life, and are dedicated to supporting their community.