Napoleon Bonaparte said, “To be effective, an army relies on good and plentiful food”. From this came the often quoted saying, ‘An army marches on its stomach.’
I believe it should be assumed, that a healthy, independent nation is one which produces at least 80 per cent of its food, and where possible 100 per cent of its water. Both essential for keeping the population fit and healthy and knowing they have a reliable safe source of nourishment.
If the Prime Minister and her team wish our country to be strong, independent, and productive, and lead the world in innovation, they should recognise one of our most vital industries is agriculture. Currently just 60 per cent of our food is home grown.
While on the subject of quotes, George Washington said, “Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all”. In other words, ‘United we stand, divided we fall’.
Those plotting to oust Mrs May should take heed. Their actions will leave an open door for Jeremy Corbyn to walk straight into 10 Downing Street. What a disaster that would be for farming, the environment, manufacturing, the economy, business, and workers in both the public and private sectors.
Let us hope that discipline prevails, and that arrogance, stupidity, poor judgement and a lack of understanding of how they are viewed by the British public, will not lead them towards self-destruction.
If they believe they can knife Mrs May in the back without serious repercussions, they are greatly mistaken. Such a move will not only trigger a General Election, it will also divide the party, possibly irrevocably.
I have been very foolish. I had assumed that those of us who live, work and bring our children up in the country, with many friends and acquaintances connected to farming, local businesses, country sports and equestrian pursuits, would ensure they were enveloped within an environment free from extremist’s pressure and radicalisation.
How wrong I was to assume that living in a rural community our youngsters are immune to outside influences. Last week we saw the teenage son of a middle-class, Welsh, white British Christian farming family accused of plotting a London Bridge-style suicide attack.
This 17 year old school boy, who was about to take his A levels, was groomed and radicalised on social media in less than a week, by Islamist State propaganda.
He was brainwashed into preparing to lethally attack innocent people, and die in the process. So much for my theory that growing up in the countryside is safer that the city.
My chum Michael who runs a marquee company, has an enviable reputation for providing high quality marquees, and arranging all the other essentials such as electrics, loos and generators.
Michael, a true gentleman is always relaxed and composed. He takes life in his stride, and has ample patience with stressed out brides who at the last minute change their minds regarding the colour of the lining and swags, or type of lighting for the dance area. However, last Friday I could see something was up – Michael was stressed.
The cause of his concern was that he had three marquees going up in different locations, and yet again some of his team had failed to show up.
For the past couple of summers, he explained he has struggled to employ reliable seasonal workers. They start well as they learn new skills, and are fairly dependable, but once they get some money in their pockets they disappear for days on end.
Why? Because they are away on drug taking binges which take days to recover from. They then resurface when they need more money to fund their debilitating habit. This is a growing problem, Michael is not the only employer dealing with this increasing home grown disease.
What is the world coming to when our workforce are either radicalised or high on drugs? I rather suspect the two are intrinsically connected.
I believe it should be assumed, that a healthy, independent nation is one which produces at least 80 per cent of its food, and where possible 100 per cent of its water. Both essential for keeping the population fit and healthy and knowing they have a reliable safe source of nourishment.
If the Prime Minister and her team wish our country to be strong, independent, and productive, and lead the world in innovation, they should recognise one of our most vital industries is agriculture. Currently just 60 per cent of our food is home grown.
While on the subject of quotes, George Washington said, “Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all”. In other words, ‘United we stand, divided we fall’.
Those plotting to oust Mrs May should take heed. Their actions will leave an open door for Jeremy Corbyn to walk straight into 10 Downing Street. What a disaster that would be for farming, the environment, manufacturing, the economy, business, and workers in both the public and private sectors.
Let us hope that discipline prevails, and that arrogance, stupidity, poor judgement and a lack of understanding of how they are viewed by the British public, will not lead them towards self-destruction.
If they believe they can knife Mrs May in the back without serious repercussions, they are greatly mistaken. Such a move will not only trigger a General Election, it will also divide the party, possibly irrevocably.
I have been very foolish. I had assumed that those of us who live, work and bring our children up in the country, with many friends and acquaintances connected to farming, local businesses, country sports and equestrian pursuits, would ensure they were enveloped within an environment free from extremist’s pressure and radicalisation.
How wrong I was to assume that living in a rural community our youngsters are immune to outside influences. Last week we saw the teenage son of a middle-class, Welsh, white British Christian farming family accused of plotting a London Bridge-style suicide attack.
This 17 year old school boy, who was about to take his A levels, was groomed and radicalised on social media in less than a week, by Islamist State propaganda.
He was brainwashed into preparing to lethally attack innocent people, and die in the process. So much for my theory that growing up in the countryside is safer that the city.
My chum Michael who runs a marquee company, has an enviable reputation for providing high quality marquees, and arranging all the other essentials such as electrics, loos and generators.
Michael, a true gentleman is always relaxed and composed. He takes life in his stride, and has ample patience with stressed out brides who at the last minute change their minds regarding the colour of the lining and swags, or type of lighting for the dance area. However, last Friday I could see something was up – Michael was stressed.
The cause of his concern was that he had three marquees going up in different locations, and yet again some of his team had failed to show up.
For the past couple of summers, he explained he has struggled to employ reliable seasonal workers. They start well as they learn new skills, and are fairly dependable, but once they get some money in their pockets they disappear for days on end.
Why? Because they are away on drug taking binges which take days to recover from. They then resurface when they need more money to fund their debilitating habit. This is a growing problem, Michael is not the only employer dealing with this increasing home grown disease.
What is the world coming to when our workforce are either radicalised or high on drugs? I rather suspect the two are intrinsically connected.
RSS Feed