Woad grower saves Norfok's NFU's bacon

LIE OF THE LAND ONLINE

NOT SCRAP: Woad grower Ian Howard has saved two important and possibly overlooked metal sculptures from the former headquarters of Norfolk National Farmers' Union in Norwich. There are plans to give the signs a new lease of life to mark the 90th anniversary of the county branch. When the NFU sold Agriculture House in Ber Street in the mid 1990s, two metal signs were left over the entrance - a plough and another panel representing ears of wheat. The site of the building, which was originally owned by Bonds (now John Lewis) cost a total of £14,995 when it opened in the early 1951. Mid-Norfolk farmer Mr Howard, of Beetley, near Dereham, who was then also a member of the executive committee, subsequently rescued the metalwork from the scrap bin. He housed them in his small museum but since then the displays of his woad material and clothing have demanded more space in his showroom, which is open Thursday to Saturdays, 10am to 4pm. It is located off the Dereham to Fakenham Road, off Rawhall Lane.

GRAND ENTRANCE: College principal David Lawrence is looking for an appropriate home for the NFU's metal signs and hopes to identify a suitable location. While he has big plans for a new and grand formal entrance, which will avoid having to drive down “College Road,” the NFU signs need a more fitting location as they are relatively small. Easton gave a home to the solid oak table, which used to grace the executive room at Agriculture House, and also the office holders' chairs. Actually, these tall wooden chairs are incredibly uncomfortable, which must explain why no office holder ever nodded off. At the Norfolk NFU's meeting, which takes place at Easton on Monday, November 30, the county chairman Christine Hill is expected formally to present the signs to the college.

FITTING LOCATION: It is a fitting location for a new carol service - the exhibition building at the Norfolk showground. When it was built, it was originally designed to house sheep exhibitors but has since been modified to serve as an exhibition complex. The Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association has decided to hold a Stewards' Carol Service with nine lessons and carols on Wednesday, December 9, 7pm. After many years of entertaining stewards with an informal evening, including a light supper and entertainments, now the hard-working volunteer army will be invited to sing for their mince pies and a glass of mulled wine. And the Norfolk initiative, YANA (You Are Not Alone), to promote mental health awareness among the farming community will also benefit from the service.

PIGS RETURN: After a break of more than seven years, pigs will be back at Newark next month. Auctioneer Keith Miller, who started his selling career at Banbury in the late 1980s, plans to revive the sale at the Christmas Show on Wednesday, December 9. There will be classes for porkers, cutters and baconers, which will be judged by Richard Charett, of Woodhead Brothers. There are plans to re-start the sale on a fortnightly basis. The last pigs were sold at Newark, then held on Mondays, in February 2001 but the foot-and-mouth outbreak halted further sales. Entries cost £5. Contact Newark on 01636 676741 or Mr Miller on 0780 1032847.

ON THE MEND: Outdoor pig producer Jimmy Butler, who is making a good recovery after having a hip replaced just four weeks ago, is preparing to tackle a new marketing challenge. He has been elected to the National Pig Association's producer promotional group and is one of four members from the east of England on the committee. Mr Butler, who launched the highly-successful Blythburgh Free Range Pork brand, and supplies shops, restaurants and wholesalers across a growing swathe of the country, will join fellow producers, including Jim Burling, formerly of Bowes of Norfolk, Chris Fogden, of the Euston estate, near Thetford, and Howard Revell, of BQP, part of the Tulip Group.

LIVESTOCK SUPPERS: Supporters of East Anglia's native rare cattle breed, the Red Poll, will be enjoying a social evening with kindred spirits later this month. On Tuesday, November 17, members and guests will meet at the Scole Inn, near Diss, 7.30pm for 8pm. Already, field officer Diana Flack said that about 40 tickets have been sold to members from Norfolk and Suffolk. For details, ring Diana on 07831 165705. And on a similar theme, livestock producers can find out about the latest progress by the industry-funded EXBLEX at the Norfolk showground earlier the same evening. To attend these free meeting, call EBLEX on 01480 482981 or email diane.northrop@eblex.org.uk It starts at 5.45pm on Tuesday, November 17.

HERITAGE HOG ROASTS: Hog roast specialist Richard and Debbie Lilwall have been invited to attend a three-day heritage fair at Norwich Cathedral, which starts on Friday, December 11 and runs until Sunday, December 13. After the success of last year's event, the organisers decided to tempt visitors with a tasty locally-reared and roasted snack, so the husband-and-wife team from Jordans Green Farm, near Bawdeswell, got the call. They will be serving each day from about 10am and through into the afternoon.

TRACTOR CHALLENGE: After almost five years of working on the latest redesign of the John Deere 345RT tracked tractor, regional territory manager Rob Stanton finally got to ride on the 345hp giant. “I've not had a go at it myself and it is the first time that I've seen it working in the field,” said Mr Stanton. As he waited patiently with your diarist, a succession of farmers and contractors, including a large contingent from Sir John White's Salle estate near Reepham, turned up to watch the monster machine in action. Mr Stanton hoped that Carl Pitelen, who is chief demonstrator and driver for Norwich-based agricultural engineers, would let him into the cab. However, his chance of actually driving the tractor, which weighs a cool 16 tonnes, came to naught because Carl wouldn't relinquish the extremely comfortable-looking leather armchair. The farm manager, Tim Dixon, of the Crown Point estate, looked impressed but his young son was certainly to get aboard and fortunately the roomy cab, with second seat was more than up for this task.

SCHOLAR's TALK: Nuffield scholar Sarah Long, who gave an impressive summary of her study tour to Australia and south America, will be talking to members of Norfolk Livestock Clubs on Wednesday, November 11,7.30pm at Easton College. A central theme of her research was that the major beef producing countries have just a handful of breeds, which are then produced and marketed in a coherent strategy. Sarah, daughter of award-winning Mid-Norfolk calf rearer, Roger Long, suggested that there are at least 85 different breeds and crosses in Britain. Maybe, there should be some degree of concentration to press the message on consistent quality. But then her mother, Yvonne, has a handful of pedigree Belted Galloways. All members will be welcome, said the secretary David Morton, secretary to the Sheep Club on 01603 731306.

PLOUGH SUPPER: One of the highlights of the ploughing scene in south Norfolk, the Carleton Rode Ploughing Match dinner takes place on Saturday, November 14 at the village hall. A dinner of turkey and ham and plenty of home-cooked apple pies starts proceedings and tickets cost £7.50 from Mrs Pat Graham on 01953 860294. After the presentation of prizes by the president, Don Graham, there is a talk about reed cutting in Norfolk Broadland by Wally Mason. The organisers need to know to cope with the catering by the middle of the week.