A huge psychological change confronts us all. Milk Link is now a major milk processor. We are now running a much larger, more diverse, integrated dairy business - the UK's fourth largest and we all have to recognise this will be very different to running
Richard Williamson is Farms Director for Velcourt Group plc, which manages 150,000 acres of arable and grassland, together with almost 5000 dairy cattle, on behalf of private and institutional investors in the UK and Europe. The company also has management
"I know we are in the middle of summer but already we are thinking about the Great British Breakfast" next year. The organisers of the event, the Home Grown Cereals Authority (a body funded by levies on the UK cereals and oilseed industry), are now planning
There were many NADIS reports of orf in lambs in the South West during May and June. Orf is a common, highly contagious, production-limiting disease of sheep caused by a parapox virus. Characteristic proliferative, bleeding, scab-covered lesions are most
These have been hectic times. Firstly, the European Parliament's inquiry into foot and mouth conducted a fact-finding tour of the South West and Wales. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who gave evidence to the committee. Though
The influence of Porcine Dermatitis and Nephropathy Syndrome (PDNS) and Post Weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) is an on-going problem in the national pig herd. These syndromes were first reported in Canada in 1992. Since then, they have become
WHEN PE teacher Dennis Aston was told polio had cost him the full use of his legs, his dogged refusal to give in earned him a reputation for being bloody-minded. Some 50 years later, his dedication and perseverance in the world of sailing have won him
A 17-YEAR-OLD man mountain from Ilminster will step into the ring with profressional wrestlers this summer as he takes part in a 30-date national tour. Stace Smith, of Station Road, stands 6ft 5ins tall and weighs 15 stone. A student of carpentry and
QUESTIONS about police cover in Ilminster have been answered by the head of local police, Sgt Rob Smith. A resident contacted the News with concerns over the number of officers in the town. She was worried that Ilminster's dedicated beat officer was classified
A CHIEF Inspector of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary has paid tribute to a policeman from Broadway who died tragically last month. Chief Inspector Mike Veale, now of Bristol but formerly of the Somerton sector, praised the work of Sgt Nigel Glass who
Offers in excess of £585,000 are being invited for Alsia Farm at St Buryan, near Penzance, by the agricultural and equestrian department of Miller & Son. Set in grounds of approximately eight acres and enjoying extensive rural views, the property
FORTY-ONE people died in agricultural accidents during the past year - the joint lowest figure since records began - according to a report released by the Health and Safety executive (HSE). However, farming deaths in the South West went up from four in
Owners of recorded dairy herds of any breed in Devon are invited to enter this year's Devon Dairy Herds Competition run by the Devon County Show. The show has taken over running the competition from National Milk Records who will continue to support it
'REACH For The Sky' is the buzz phrase for Exeter Chiefs as they embark on a fresh assault on gaining promotion from National Division One. It has no connection with the famous Kenneth More film about the life of World War Two pilot Douglas Bader, who
CHARD Town play their final pre-season friendly this Saturday, when they take on Carlsberg South Western League side Liskeard at Zembard Lane (kick off 3pm). The game will be the final opportunity for manager Steve Ritchie to look at his side in action
THERE's little doubt that Plymouth 2002, the summer-long maritime festival is proving a huge success - bringing both hundreds of people, and cash, into the city. The August 3-4 weekend's major event was the Classic Boat Rally, based at the Plymouth Yacht
THE so-called 'friendly' action returned to the Cornish Pilot Gig regatta circuit with events at Teignmouth and Port Isaac. The Teignmouth regatta attracted ten gigs, including the River Teign Rowing Club's three. It was a scorching day for the event,
AT least 17 people were stranded in Tatworth on Monday after a bus operator suspended services through the village. One man stood at a bus stop for more than one and a half hours before being told First Bus would be by-passing the village during work
PLYMOUTH Argyle's supporters saluted a new goal-scoring hero in the bustling, all-action form of Nathan Lowndes, as they drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest in Home Park's last pre-season friendly. The former Livingston striker, who is rated highly north
TRIBUTES have been paid to a Chard man who died after falling from scaffolding at Air Control Industries, Chard, last week. Police and the Health and Safety Executive are still investigating the incident which killed Roger Stanley Arscott, 60, of King
SOCCER's new season kicks off on Saturday, August 10 - and this Sunday's Indy will be the biggest ever; a true Scorcher! Our ever-popular Scorcher pull-out-and-keep preview of the National and Local soccer season will have no fewer than 52 pages. It will
CHARD Pre-school is celebrating gaining £360,000 funding towards new purpose-build accommodation at Jocelyn Park. The £600,000 project is on course for completion by next spring despite a cash shortfall of £60,000-£80,000. Jeannette O'Dwyer, of the pre-school
A CHARD man has been left high and dry by supermarket red tape which stops him buying an early-morning alcohol-free tipple. Tesco in Chard told security guard Jim Mortimer he cannot buy Kaliber before 8am. One-time alcoholic Mr Mortimer, 60, of Halcombe
DEVELOPERS have started demolition work on part of a housing estate in Chard after three homes were found to be in breach of planning permission. Redrow Homes had not agreed internal floor levels with planning officers before they started work at Mitchell
THOUSANDS of dog-loving protesters lined the streets of Dorchester on Saturday, August 3, in a bid to highlight the dangers of a hunting ban. More than 1,000 people marched through the town centre warning proposed legislation to outlaw hunting could have
A TELEVISION journalist from Wiltshire has mounted a sailing first by embarking on a charity fund-raising voyage around Ireland. Digby Fox, series producer of Watersports World, and Tim Swinburn are trapezing off two tiny 16ft singlehanded catamarans,
Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the safety of Jack Spong who disappeared last Wednesday evening from the Mexico Towans area near Hayle on his 22nd birthday. Packet readers and anyone living or holidaying in the area are being asked if they
EXETER City's penultimate pre-season warm-up ended in a 1-0 defeat at the hands of West Country rivals Yeovil at St James' Park. A last-minute goal from Adam Lockwood was enough to grab victory for the Conference side. Exeter's new striker Don Goodman
Farmer Michael Hart from St Ewe in Cornwall flew to the United States after receiving an invitation to talk to farmers there. Michael, who is the chairman of the Small and Family Farms Alliance, addressed fellow farmers at the National Family Farms Coalition
There was more good news for the region's dairy farmers this month with the announcement South West dairy co-operative Milk Link have invested a massive £30m to acquire significant processing capacity from Express Dairies. The move, following the recent
For the first time in its 107-year history the Devon County Show is holding its competitive sheep shearing classes next month on a local farm even though the show was held back in May. At that time, the show was forced to exclude sheep because of DEFRA
Luck held and so did the weather for the 13th Cotswold Show & Country Fair, in Cirencester Park, for what organisers are hailing a resounding success. Thousands of people from all over the country descended on the picturesque parkland setting to enjoy
The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group's official launch of the Fal and Cober Projects took place with a farm walk at Restronguet Barton, Mylor Bridge, Cornwall, hosted by farming brothers, Matthew and Paul Dale. Attended by around 20 farmers, the walk
THE first sheepdog trial on the beautiful Roseland peninsula, in Cornwall, proved a fine draw to competitors from all over the South West. Around 65 entrants, from as far a field as Bristol and Gloucestershire, took part. The holiday weather and conditions
An overwhelming majority of British sheep farmers oppose a ban on hunting with dogs, according to a major new survey commissioned by the Countryside Alliance. The research was carried out during June and July and forms a key part of the Alliance's evidence
WESTCOUNTRY MEP Neil Parish has pledged to ensure that harrowing accounts of the effects of foot and mouth will be recorded in an official report from the European Parliament's inquiry and demands that important lessons be learned for the future. Neil
South West farmers are being urged to oppose pay rises contained in a provisional wages order which would lead to a minimum hourly rate of more than £4.90. The NFU say they should take advantage of a confirmation period which runs to August 23 to lobby
ILTON returned to winning ways following their defeat at the hands of local rivals Barrington last week, with a three-wicket victory away to Evercreech in Division One of the Shrubbery Hotel Somerset League. The win keeps them top of the table, on course
TALENTED young Ilminster cricketer Sam Spurway was faced with a busy schedule this week playing in four big matches for Somerset and West of England sides. On Monday and Tuesday he was due to play for Somerset Under-16s against Kent and Bath, today (Wednesday
ILMINSTER'S promotion race with Westland Sports looks like going right down to the wire, after both sides won on Saturday to leave them neck and neck at the top of the West of England Premier League's Bristol and Somserset Division. With just one side
Different country - same problems. Declining farm incomes, a collapse of rural communities, massive disconnection between consumers and producers, loss of biodiversity, and one thing above all - the market power of the big players. In England we tend
I RECENTLY heard the following tale from a farmer. Around four years ago, twin calves were born, one male and one female. Both were ear tagged, both entered in the movement book. The bull calf was duly registered, but the heifer calf forgotten. As soon
Here we are in August and I'm glad to say the pressures of last month's weather and whether we could ever get any sileage/haylage done are over. What a bonus - the quality is good and the amount of crop is unbelievable. As you read this, hopefully our
WORK on a new factory for Ilminster firm Gooch and Housego is on line for an October start thanks to local councils' work behind the scenes. Company chairman Archie Gooch was full of praise for South Somerset District Council and Ilminster Town Council
Set in a delightful location near the village of Wadeford only about 114 miles from Chard in South West Somerset is an unspoilt traditional farm being brought to the market by the Stags Honiton office. Woolhayes Farm between Wadeford and Clayhanger is
Ballington Manor Farm at Wylye has been chosen as one of six farms to compete in the final of the 2002 Farmcare FWAG Silver Lapwing Award. "Ballington Manor Farm is a wonderful example of how well-managed and profitable farms actually encourage wildlife
A 20:20 50 degree herringbone parlour installed in July 1999 is fitting in well with the management approach on a Devon dairy unit - and helping the business achieve a margin of around 18 pence per litre over all purchased feeds. A great deal of planning
SOCCER's new season kicks off on Saturday, August 10 - and this Sunday's Indy will be the biggest ever; a true Scorcher! Our ever-popular Scorcher pull-out-and-keep preview of the National and Local soccer season will have no fewer than 52 pages. It will
PLYMOUTH Argyle's supporters saluted a new goal-scoring hero in the bustling, all-action form of Nathan Lowndes, as they drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest in Home Park's last pre-season friendly. The former Livingston striker, who is rated highly north
CHARD 750 maintained third place in Division Four SW of the Shrubbery Hotel 2nd XI League following their winning draw at home to Brent Knoll. Chard were invited to bat on a Holyrood pitch which unusually had variable bounce but they got off to a fine
CHARD put in another much improved performance on Saturday, despite going down by 15 runs at home to Wembdon in the Somserset Division of the West of England Premier League. Skipper Andy Bond was pleased with the way his side went about chasing an imposing
ON Tuesday, August 6, one of the region's best-loved comediennes made her small screen debut - at the age of 86. Whilst most people of her age enjoy a peaceful retirement, Lilla Miller is still going strong as her storytelling alter ego Mrs Rosewarne,
SHE is the woman who has everything - a glamorous job, a body to die for and an adoring family - and yet Melinda Messenger is as down to earth as they come. Perhaps this grounded nature is why she was chosen to front a three-part environmental series,
A HIGHLY contagious stomach bug which causes projectile vomiting has forced Truro's main hospital to close the doors of one of its wards. The Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske closed the ward last week after two patients were confirmed to have the Norwalk-like
BRISTOL City found the goals touch at last with a 5-0 victory at Hereford with Jamaican World Cup star Ian Goodison scoring one of the goals on his debut. City boss Danny Wilson said: 'Five-nil was a bit flattering, but it was pleasing to convert the
RAY Graydon is looking forward to getting Bristol Rovers' League campaign under way after a summer of thrills and spills since taking charge of the Pirates. With only a trip to Dr Martens League outfit Mangotsfield United remaining before the Division
SOCCER's new season kicks off on Saturday, August 10 - and this Sunday's Indy will be the biggest ever; a trueScorcher! Our ever-popular Scorcher pull-out-and-keep preview of the National and Local soccer season will have no fewer than 52 pages. It will
The results of the 2002 Devon Hedge Competition have just been released and Ross Gray, the winner of the Whole Farm Hedge Management class, was presented with his prize by Peter Chamberlain, chairman of the Devon Hedge Group. The annual hedge competition
NINE under 18-year- olds travelled to Uppsala, north of Stockholm for the annual 4H Swedish national youth camp. The nine were chosen to represent Devon Young Farmers, having each been through tough interviews at Devon county office. They were selected
The first Liskeard Show was held on July 24, 1883, in fields at Barras Cross. It was run by the Liskeard District Agricultural Association, which was formed in the same year. The 2002 show is the 99th, because shows were not held during the two World
South West MEP Caroline Jackson has condemned new proposals for the labelling of genetically modified food and feed as "unworkable and likely to prove as a cheats' charter." Dr Jackson said: "MEPs have voted for proposals to label 'containing GM material
