Taste the harvest
800 children from 26 primary schools, 40 farmers, 9 Royal navy cooks with a full field kitchen, 7 vicars, 6 chefs (including one with a Michelin star) and 50 other helpers descended on a farm at Staple Fitzpaine near Taunton in late September for an event called Taste the Harvest. The 2-day event was organised by host farmers Mark and Julie Pope with Rural Officer Rob Walrond.
Each school class was guided around the event by a local farmer and had the opportunity to:
• Learn all about growing wheat – from the days of ploughing with two horses, to the modern day tractor equivalent of 150 horses as well as all the modern machinery
• Plant their own plot of wheat seeds which will be harvested next summer and milled, with the flour being returned to the schools for cooking projects
• Learn about wildlife on the farm • Work with top local chefs to peel and prepare vegetables, dig potatoes or make bread
• Sit down and enjoy a three course meal of local produce that they had helped to prepare
• Learn about and taste local food produced in Somerset
• Enjoy a time of lively harvest worship
Rob, Mark and Julie were very grateful to all the volunteers that gave up their time to help. Rob added, “ It was great that the children had the chance to learn about the whole story from the plough to the plate. We have already had very positive feedback from the schools and are looking forward to maintaining contact through to the harvest and beyond.”
Rob Walrond, Somerset
Shearing and fleecing
During May, the churches in Wakefield Diocese showed their commitment to farming and rural communities by holding a fleecing service at Cawthorne Parish Church, near Barnsley, West Yorkshire.
A local farmer, Philip Armitage, provided three sheep, which were sheared by Bruce Roberts. The fleeces were given to children from the local junior school. They then presented them to the Bishop, who blessed the fleeces and placed them on the altar. The Bishop of Wakefield, the Right Rev’d Stephen Platten was also presented with a shepherd’s
crook which had been specially made by a local craftsman. The service involved the local farming community and Young Farmers.
Rev’d Jean Daykin, who lead the service said “our aim was to draw people together in worship and thanksgiving to recognise our heritage of sheep farming and the wool industry. The service also showed the wonder of creation and humanity working alongside each other in harmony.”
Our active involvement in this occasion served not only to deepen our awareness of the joys and challenges farmers face at a
time of rapid change, but to bring across the importance of taking time to celebrate and give thanks for all that is good in farming and rural communities. We look forward to repeating this event in two years time.
Hugh Baker and Dennis Handley Rural officers for Wakefield Diocese
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk
5
rural ministry round up
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32