If you listened to Woman’s Hour last week you will have been left with the impression that each and every one of us, women in particular, are hooked on alcohol. The speakers of various ages, including the interviewer all admitted that they cannot function ‘normally’, without having first had a drink. What I found most disturbing, was that they consider this ‘normal’.
 
It is reported that Thames Valley Police plan to introduce the most lenient policy on illegal substances ever seen in this country. As reported in the Daily Mail, users found in possession of Class A drugs including heroin, cocaine and ecstasy, most likely dealers, will be sent on their way without so much as an official caution.
 
As Philip Flower a former Met Police Chief Superintendent said, the stupidity of this insidious policy goes much deeper than mere naivety, it actively erodes the police’s ability to exercise control on the streets.
 
The police know that drug dealers in London and elsewhere run sophisticated supply networks, and their operations bring vulnerable people into the UK who are ruthlessly ruled by fear to sell drugs on our streets.
 
Senior police officers who are responsible for downgrading drug possession and dealing, should see the abject misery and suffering that drugs bring to users, their families and communities. They should immediately reverse this policy.
 
Is it any wonder the NHS cannot cope? It is dealing with a huge increase in population due to immigration and high birth rates, an aging population with serious health issues, alcohol, drug and obesity related admissions, including juvenile type 2 diabetes. All take their toll on hospitals which should not be coping with self-inflicted ailments.
 
As the late Dr Jan de Winter said, “Prevention is better than cure”. Surely we should take responsibility for our own health and not expect the NHS to pick up the pieces when our bodies break under the strain of abuse from drugs alcohol, obesity and over indulgence.
 
It is not the NHS which is in crises, it is those of us who treat our bodies and minds with contempt without understanding the consequences. It is all very well offering a Health Service free to all at the point of delivery, perhaps now is the time to think about drawing up some red lines before the whole system implodes.
 
Sussex and Surrey Police have launched their Christmas crackdown on drink and drug-drivers with a message - 
 
"Jingle bells, here’s our cells, open every day;
If you drive with drink or drugs, you’ll soon be on your way."
 
Last year a total of 56 people died in road accidents in Sussex, 13 of which involved a drink-driver. Chief Insp Gooch who is leading the campaign said, “Drink and drug-driving destroys lives. It happens year on year, and sadly despite our repeated warnings, there will always be a minority of selfish and shameful individuals who still continue to put the lives of themselves and others at risk.”
 
Sussex and Surrey Police have committed officers to the campaign, and details of those convicted – including their names, age, address and occupation – will be published online.
 
Chief Insp Gooch added: “If you are planning to drive after ‘just a couple’, it is more than likely you will be over the limit. The only way to guarantee you are under the limit is to drink OR drive; never both.”
 
“Also be mindful of the amount of time it takes for substances to leave your body. Even if you’ve slept several hours, you could still be over the limit the next morning. A coffee and cold shower will not speed up the process.”
 
So, if you want to avoid: a minimum 12 month ban; an unlimited fine; a possible prison sentence; a criminal record; an increase in your car insurance; trouble travelling to the USA, or perhaps death or injury, don’t drink or drug-drive.

Wishing you all a Safe and Happy New Year.

At a time when reports of children being excluded from school, levels of mental health and crime amongst young people are rising, good news stories which tell of schemes to turn the lives of youngsters in danger of going down the slippery path, are hard to find.
 
The statistics show an increasing problem – 35 children are excluded from school every day; only 1% of these get five good GCSEs needed for employment; 1 in 2 have a mental health problem, and the majority will make up the prison population.
 
During their lifetime, an excluded child will cost the taxpayer at the very least £370,000.
 
Jamie’s Farm, is an education charity set up by an ex-teacher and his psychotherapist mother, whose fundamental belief is that children are good. Through a 5-day residential stay at one of their farms, children and their teachers are immersed in a powerful blend of Farming, Family and Therapy. The week and in-school follow-up, is proven to draw out new behaviours and attitudes with a lasting impact.
 
During 2018, 1,180 disadvantaged children benefitted from Jamie’s Farm. So far of those at risk of exclusion, 75% no longer were 6 months after visiting the Farm. For almost 10 years now, Jamie’s Farm has delivered its programme to 5,600 vulnerable children.

Demand from schools has seen the programme grow from their first farm near Bath, to Herefordshire (est. 2015) and Monmouth (est. 2018).

Last Thursday I visited the latest Jamie’s Farm which will be welcoming children aged 11 – 16, in April 2019. This farm not a stone’s throw from Plumpton Agricultural College, will serve schools and communities along the South Coast.

A more typical Sussex family farm with its cosy farmhouse and useful outbuildings you could not find. Allington Farm is the perfect place for troubled children to spend time learning about nature, farming, kindness, security and most importantly themselves.

This formerly mixed farm, which has now been put down entirely to grass with help from Mike Martin their neighbouring farmer, will be populated mainly with sheep and Aberdeen Angus cattle. They will be joined by ponies, pigs, ducks and chickens, amongst other livestock adding to the menagerie.  

The children attending the 5-day farm residential and in-school follow up programme, targets those who have been referred by their schools for poor behaviour, low self-esteem and a lack of engagement at school. Accompanied by their teachers, they come in groups of 10-12 and live on site with the Jamie’s Farm team.

In a single day a young person may feed and muck out the pigs before breakfast, chop some logs during the morning session, harvest vegetables and prepare dinner as their afternoon project, go on a 4 mile evening walk and then deliver a lamb after supper.

Jamie who addressed the gathering last week, assured us that if nothing else the children slept very well at night!
 
All of this is punctuated with therapeutic support one-to-one with a trained therapist, and in-group discussions built around positive praise.
 
Funding for the charity as a whole is mainly made up of grants from grant-making trusts and foundations; individual fundraising events; a significant legacy which enabled the purchase of two of the farms; and generating income from farm activity.
 
The aim is to make the farms as self-sufficient as possible, developing opportunities to raise money through the sale of produce, and letting the farm houses between visiting school groups. Schools make a contribution towards their visits but the charity actively fund raises to make up the shortfall, so that visits are affordable and costs are not prohibitive. They aim to reach as many vulnerable children as possible.
 
This  children’s charity, now in the heart of Sussex, is warmly welcomed by the farming community, and deserves support. www.jamiesfarm.org.uk
 
Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New year.

The Daily Mail’s campaign to encourage the public to volunteer their services at local hospitals, care homes and clinics has captured the Spirit of Christmas.
 
I have been curious to ask those who have already taken up the challenge, why now and not before. The majority have replied that they were unaware they could. The climate of Criminal Record Checks (CRB or DBC) has dissuaded many from participating or volunteering for anything including helping with their child’s school outings, in the playground, with Scouts and Brownies, or visiting the elderly.
 
The British are probably the best at volunteering in the world. As a nation we are kind, helpful, innovative and generally good at noticing where and when help is needed and getting stuck in. For reasons which have been well over played, in recent years this willingness to help has been thoroughly broken due to unreasonable precautionary rules and regulations.
 
Of course it is important to keep children, the elderly and the vulnerable safe, but the consequences of the excessive rules and regulations has lost an army of good people who just want to help. Let us hope this new initiative will bring some common sense back into the system.
 
Yes, no doubt the occasional odd ball with slip through the net and there will be an outcry when something goes wrong. But we must ensure that it will be taken as just that, and the good people are allowed to continue helping out.
 
They are the God send that those who are lonely and often feel isolated in hospitals and care homes, where professional staff are just too busy, have been praying for.
 
The Good Samaritans whom Justin Welby and the public so admire are indeed worthy, our society could not function without those who volunteer. They are all around us, and often go unnoticed but make a huge difference to all our lives.
 
The Daily Mail’s Campaign encouraging us to volunteer is high profile. The number of people telling anyone who cares to listen that ‘they are going to volunteer’ is indeed admirable. But let us not forget those who do so without fanfare, all the time and without being asked.
 
Last week I had the privilege to visit the Newhaven National Coastwatch Institute. Their HQ is located by the Newhaven Fort. This organisation whose volunteers help to keep the public, who frequent the shore line, beaches and coastal cliffs safe, and note every single vessel passing by, provide an invaluable service to the community both locally and nationally, and are manned 100% by volunteers.
 
They are an important link in the chain between the Coast Guard, police, RNLI and other emergency services. Without them the strain on public resources would be considerable.
 
Newhaven Coastwatch Institute, one of 54 National Coastwatch sites, has been in operation since 2004. The team of volunteers, which currently stand at 70, transformed the old watch tower which had fallen into disrepair and was about to be demolished by Lewes District Council. Using the skills amongst their numbers, they fixed the roof, installed new steps and stairs, replaced the windows and generally made the building habitable and functional.
 
They then raised funds to install the equipment needed to carry out their surveillance. They run a daily three hour rota which ensures there are two alert watchmen on site from 8am until dusk. Volunteers come from across Sussex, their backgrounds are very varied, thus bringing a range of valuable skills.
 
When asked whether their work is rewarded or acknowledged locally or nationally, they said knowing their work kept the local community safe was reward enough.
 
We must remember many of the institutions that we take for granted are supported by volunteers who work alongside the professionals, a vital link in the chain. Volunteering is integrated into British life, it is important and should be acknowledged as such.

The South of England Agricultural Society has been fortunate in having wonderfully supportive Presidents over the years. None more so than those I had the pleasure of welcoming to the showground, during my tenure as chairman from 1999 – 2004.
 
Last week Westminster united in celebrating the life of Baroness Trumpington, and the press and media did her proud. This remarkable lady who was President of SEAS in 2000, led an extraordinary life; and one which supported all things agricultural and country sports, including hunting, shooting and fishing.
 
The 2000 South of England Show was remarkable, not just by the larger than life, and very enthusiastic presence of Lady Trumpington, but also for the unique sight of 15 packs of Fox Hounds in the main ring!
I can still recall the spectacle of our President wading into the centre of the ring surrounded by over 400 hundred hounds, all wanting her attention and almost smothering her. The absolute joy on her face was a delight to see.
 
That Christmas her card was that epic picture of our President standing alone in the centre of a sea of hounds.
 
Much has been written following her death at the grand age of 96, all celebrating her colourful and exceptionally full life. A Bletchley Park Codebreaker, former Land Girl, and the oldest ever female minister in the Lords. She was formidable, gracious and great fun.
 
Since getting to know her all those years ago, we kept in touch and her first question has always been, “how are things going at the Society”.
 
Amongst my many memories of the Baroness; I will always maintain that she was the only female I know who can tell a truly dirty story, and get away with it!! She will be sorely missed.
 
There is currently a recruitment drive to encourage youngsters aged 10 – 26, to join the Young Farmers. Everyone is welcome and no connection or involvement with agriculture is necessary. If you would like to join a bunch of enthusiastic, fun loving, hardworking, outdoor enthusiasts, why not join your local Young Farmers Club. Contact via:www.sussexyoungfarmers.org.uk
 
The real decision for parliament when the vote is held on December 11th, is ‘Who Governs Britain’? Alongside this momentous decision is whether MPs should be cajoled into voting for a ‘deal’ which is in effect illegal.
 
As Sir Bill Cash reminds us in his timely column in The Sunday Telegraph, the European issue has always been about sovereignty.
 
He also noted the Prime Minister’s Withdrawal Agreement, which she is doggedly attempting to drive through Parliament, is incompatible with the Withdrawal Act 2018.
 
This Act converts all EU law into British Law and makes the European Communities Act 1972 null and void from March 29, 2019. However, Mrs May’s agreement leaves in place a version of the 1972 Act, in effect rubbishing the 2018 Act of Parliament.
 
The Prime Minister has already breached the requirements under the Ministerial Code, having not sought the law officer’s advice “in good time”, before the Government is committed to critical decisions involving legal consideration.
 
Consequently MPs voting in favour of the PM’s deal will in effect, be breaking the law, and the deal is also inconsistent with the referendum vote.
 
Last week a minister said to a journalist, “The Prime Minister gets strength from absorbing humiliation.” This alone is concerning, but coupled together with the opinion of a leading expert Graphologist who has  studied  Mrs May’s hand writing, and concluded that without doubt she is a Masochist, I would think that MPs and the public should consider this deeply worrying.
 
I wonder if the those MPs who are wavering about whether to follow the Prime Minister through the lobby on Tuesday 11th December, really know what they are letting themselves in for.