CASP
NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 8: July/August 2013
Image: Wikimedia Commons
‘Sheep Husbandry’ Evening
We were able to handle most of the animals, and Izzie
aged three was able to bottle feed one of the lambs
(with a little help). The farm consists of sheep,
alpacas, rheas horses and poultry, some spectacular
breeds!! Also in residence two young tawny owls, one
buzzard, one wallaby, some very large rabbits and
oopps forgot the pigs!
Senara and David work very hard, which is very
obvious from the weed free garden, I forgot to mention
the vegetables in the polytunnel and the orchard.
CASP members were the guests of Senara and David
Collings on what turned out to be the best evening in
June, I presume they ordered the weather for our visit!
Hendra farm is in a beautiful setting on the outskirts of
Pelynt, a small number of us were given a guided tour of
this wonderful farm.
Contents:
Social evening at Hendra Farm
Chairman’s Chatterpiece/ Who’s Who in Casp
Lord De Mauley’s speech on bees!!
Vaccine for Schmallenberg virus available
Vermot’s Grooves grooves to stop cattle from slipping
The Royal Cornwall Show 2013
Cornish Poetry;
For sale/Wanted & Barter section
Issue 8: July/August 2013
After supper and our tour we all sat outside around
the Chiminea that David had very kindly lit and learnt
more about the farm whilst putting the world to rights
as well - of course!
It was a really lovely evening and we say a huge thank
you to David and Senara.
Chairmans Chatterpiece!
Welcome to the summer edition
of this CASP newsletter. It's
midsummer and everything in
the garden, polytunnel and
smallholding is now growing
fast, especially the weeds in the
veggie beds and docks in the hayfields, no matter how
hard we try to keep on top of them they always seem to
return with a vengence!! However, for our latest gettogether we visited a farm where you would have had
difficulty in finding any weeds where they were not
wanted, more details later in the newsletter. We will be
having a stand at Liskeard Show on 13th July and also at
Lanlivery Show in September, it would be lovely to meet
up with any of you there, so do come and say hello!
Lostwithiel market is going very well, we are hoping to
have more live music during the summer holidays and
would ask all our members to pass details of the market
on to any visitors either via the web site or just the market
dates and times.
At this point, I feel we should say a big thank you to Jo
Vosper who not only edits and compiles this newsletter
but also manages the web-site.
I am sure you would all agree she is doing a fantastic job.
Another special thank you goes to our lovely retiring
committee member, Georgina
Vokes, pictured on the right.
She has worked very hard
indeed from the formation of
CASP and also organising our
stands at Royal Cornwall
Show both this year and last.
Georgina and her family are
moving and have much to do,
we will be sorry to lose her but
hopefully she will find time to
come and see us at the market
from time to time.
Finally I would ask any of you who have suggestions for
meetings or events they would like to see CASP involved
in to let us know, (providing they are of course legal and
within the realms of possibility) we would love to hear
from you.
Do enjoy the summer, we look forward to seeing you at
one of the shows or markets.
Best wishes to all, Jeanette.
Issue 8: July/August 2013
WHO’s Who in CASP?
This Issue – Carol White
Carol has been a member of the smallholders group
for the last seven years. She has had an interest in
farming since very young, coming from a horse-racing
background in Galway. Carol moved to a dairy and
beef 45 acre smallholding in Herefordshire in the
1990’s and moved to Cornwall in 2002. Her main
interest now is her small flock of pedigree Jacob
Sheep, now supplying the Travelling Tuffeteer with
some wonderful fleeces, followed by belted
Galloways, Oxford Sandy and Black pigs.
Also she runs a varied mixture of chickens ducks
geese turkeys guinea fowl and peacocks, which she
ran a great discussion about at one of our social
events. All this has allowed her to realise her dream of
total self-sufficiency in meat. The surplus is sold to
help cover feeding costs along with eggs, in season
vegetables and homemade produce such as jams
pickles and chutney on the farm gate.
In her ‘spare time’ Carol is a fully qualified Energy
Assessor carrying out Energy Performance Certificates
and giving advice on energy saving methods.
Article adapted from Lord de Mauley speaking about
bee health at the Friends of the Earth conference on
28 June 2013. DEFRA
The focus in the media has been on neonicotinoid
pesticides and their potential impact on bees - the
picture is very much more complex. Changes in land
use, the type of crops grown, alien species, climate
change - these all have an impact.
‘Pollinators play a vital role in the security of our food
supply and the quality of our natural environment. The
work of the National Bee Unit in providing expert
advice and guidance to bee keepers is recognised
internationally.
We are working with the Scottish Government, the
research councils and others on the Insect Pollinators
Initiative.
Through Biodiversity 2020, our response to the Nagoya
Biodiversity Protocol, We are committed to increase the
overall extent of particular habitats by at least 200,000
hectares.
We have provided funding for twelve new Nature
Improvement Areas Under Environmental Stewardship,
we promote, and pay for, the sowing of nectar flower
mixeshat were once a feature of more traditional
agricultural systems.
We also fund the addition of wildflowers to buffer strips
and field corners, and legume-rich and herb-rich swards
which directly benefit pollinators.
Issue 8: July/August 2013
Today, I am a National Pollinator Strategy, which will
bring together all the pollinator-friendly initiatives
already underway and provide an umbrella for new
action.
. We plan to publish the report on ‘Pollinator Health
and Value’ and other documents online next week.
A series of workshops starting in September will offer
an opportunity to national experts from government
and non-government organisations for a frank and
open debate on the most recent scientific progress
made on pollination and the policies that affect
pollinators. I hope many of you will play a strong part
in these opportunities.
. As part of the review, I have already asked Defra’s
Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Ian Boyd, to
convene a group of independent experts to look at the
evidence on the state of our pollinators
Vaccine for Schmallenberg virus 'available this
summer'
By Helen Briggs. BBC News
A vaccine to protect sheep and cattle from
Schmallenberg virus, spread by midges, has been
approved by government vets
The virus, which emerged in the Netherlands and
Germany in 2011, can lead to sheep and cattle having
stillborn or deformed offspring.
Alick Simmons, deputy chief veterinary officer at the
Department or Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Defra) said in a statement:"It is welcome news for
British farmers to have the choice to vaccinate their
animals.
"The vaccine will give extra assurance against this
disease on top of the natural immunity we expect
sheep and cattle to develop after initial exposure."
NFU livestock board chairman and sheep farmer,
Charles Sercombe, lost 40% of his early lambing flock
to the virus. He said the vaccine would give added
reassurance to farmers who were concerned about
losing lambs to the disease.
"Everybody in farming who wants to use it will
welcome it as soon as possible," he told BBC News.
"Some flocks need it in the next few weeks to fit in
with their breeding programmes."
The disease has spread to every county in England and
Wales, and was recently reported in Scotland.
Reports from farmers suggest that at least 1,700 farms
throughout the UK have now tested positive for the
SBV virus.
UK farmers will be the first in the EU with access to
the vaccine, according to Defra.
Phil Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep
Association, said farmers should speak to their vet
about the timing of vaccination.
Schmallenberg virus (SBV) causes fever, diarrhoea
and loss of milk production in adult cattle.
The first SBV vaccine, developed by the animal health
company Merck MSD, is expected to be available to
UK farmers in the summer. “
It is welcome news for British farmers to have the
choice to vaccinate their animals. ”
The vaccine is of most use before sheep and cattle
become pregnant, as exposure to the virus during
pregnancy can cause birth defects in the unborn
animal.
Issue 8: July/August 2013
"The decision about whether to vaccinate or not will be
down to each individual farmer, their business model,
infection history, lambing pattern and location," he
said.
Deep concrete grooves prevent injury to
dairy cows
South West Farmer - Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Lionel said: “With slippery concrete floors, the risk of
cows falling can be considerable, which has a negative
effect on the herd, including reduced milk production
and increased stress for animals and farmer alike.”
Vermot’s grooves are well cut, using a unique sawing
technique with floating cutters rotating at a high speed
of 1,500 rpm.“During the course of the 20 years that
we have been in business, we have established that
grooves 10mm to 13mm deep, and 18mm wide, spaced
55 mm apart, will guarantee effectiveness for many
Geoff and Lionel with the concrete groove maker
A new type of deep concrete grooving is proving to
be a hit with British dairy farmers - Vermot
Grooving’s efficient, cost-effective and unique
grooving and surfacing machine cuts deep, long-lasting
grooves to stop dairy cows from slipping and falling on
smooth concrete.
Developed by the French father and son dairy farming
team of Denis and Lionel Vermot, Vermot Grooving
has already cut concrete grooves on more than 10,000
dairy farms on the Continent and is now working in the
UK. The business started in France in 1989 and
launched its services this side of the English Channel
last year. It has notched up a number of successes.
These include Geoff Spence, the Farmers Weekly
Dairy Farmer of the Year 2007, who has had 2,500m
sq of smooth concrete grooved.
“Vermot did a fantastic job for us,” said the
Northallerton farmer. “Before we did the grooving, we
had one cow go down about every 10 days, and we
could lose two or three cows a year. So we only have
to stop a couple of fatal fallers for the grooving to pay
for itself.
Issue 8: July/August 2013
years, sustaining a high level of animal comfort,”
added Lionel. The company also ensures that grooves
are run in the right direction to give the best possible
result in terms of efficiency and ease of scraping.
The Bennetts of Tockenham near Swindon, have also
had excellent results - they decided to use Vermot to
groove 3,500 m sq of concrete in all areas of the farm,
including the cow sheds, the walkways, the calving
sheds and the collecting yard at a cost of £12,000, but
Peter says ‘it has been well worth it’.
“Cows cost about £2,000 each, but if you lose the cow
you not only lose the animal, you lose its production as
well, which means between £3,000 and £3,500 with
each accident,” said Peter.
“The cows are so much surer on their feet, and one
thing we noticed straightaway was that the number of
bulling cows increased immediately because they were
no longer frightened to stand up,” added Peter.“We
used to have about six or so downer cows a year,
sometimes a spate of fallers, but so far we haven’t had
a single incident.”
Participants paid £1 to enter a draw that raised £213
for The Last Chance Hotel
CASP was once again in the Farmer’s Pavilion
marquee which we shared with our friends from
Trading Standards. Unlike last year, the weather was
absolutely wonderful bringing the crowds in their
droves to the show.
We were very privileged to have both Radio Cornwall
interviewing various stallholders and Princess Anne
and her entourage visit the various stands. Seven of
our producers from Lostwithiel market were in the
food and Farming marquee promoting their products to
the ever present crowds.
Cornish Preserves - Jeanette and Helen
Duchy Smoked Fish Ltd - John Ketch
Deli-Delights - Wendy Wilkinson
The Travelling Tuffeteer - Jo Vosper
Ways with Willow - Sian Hill
Chorley Original Sauces - Bob Chorley
Moor View Alpaca's - Emma Collinson
The CASP information stand was busy meeting lots of
old friends and new, people interested in the
smallholding side as well as the market. Carol and
Georgina had made a superb job of the stand with
meters of bunting, yards of hessian and tubs of plants
that were auctioned off at the end of the show for
charity.
The Travelling Tuffeteer is pictured here being
interviewed by Tiffany Truscott of Radio Cornwall.
The photo features a large peg loom that was set up for
members of the public to participate in making a 5’
bench tuffet in local Jacob’s wool.
Issue 8: July/August 2013
Alan from the Last Chance Hotel collecting the monies raised and
showing off the tuffet that ended up with a lucky winner in
Beaworthy
Ways with Willow had a very successful show
promoting there venture to purchase a 20 acre site in
South East Cornwall, complete with a fantastic wildlife
pond, to expand and grow our community interest
company, develop a charity and create a sustainable
facility for all members of our community through the
preservation of our craft heritage. Pictured here is Sian
Hill explaining her ideas to none other than Princess
Anne!
Continued on the next page…………..
Early Morning by Penny Lally
Warm sun, wet grass, butterflies on blackberries
Busy morning bees
Crowing cockerels, distant crying calves
Wisps of early mist snaking, serpent-like
Through the valley trees
Contented cattle chewing cud and basking in golden
light.
Cool shadowy lane
Sparkling dew drops with million rainbows
A faithful dog beside.
Clear, clean autumn air sharp in your nostrils
Footprints track in the dewy grass, foxy smells,
Rabbits scuttling to ground.
Soaring seagulls, swooping swallows chattering.
Silver, silent aircraft overhead
Grazing sheep, cool and happy
Horses flicking flies with swishing tails
-Inquisitive, beautiful, shining.
The silence is deafening - no wind<
just busy beasts all shapes and sizes pleased
To be alive on such a day<
WHO WILL SPOIL IT....
Man-machines-telephones-traffic
Deadlines- stress-worry
Unaware what is always there, peaceful, free Birds and beasts, unflustered Unimpressed with
material things.
Mother Earth, caring, providing, solid AMAZING.
We must of course congratulate Helen Jervis for the
many prizes she (well at least her goats) won in the
different classes in the show.
However in spite of the wonderful weather and bigger
than average crowds the recession is still in evidence
and some of the producers might agree that takings
were perhaps not as might be expected from the
volume of visitors although interest was high.
It was a great show, good fun meeting so many people
interested in CASP.
Many thanks to everyone involved for all their hard
work.
CASP Committee Members
Jeanette Simmonds Chairperson - 01579321775
Carol White
Vice Chairperson
Sue Malcolm
Treasurer
Janice Rose
Minute Secretary
Helen Jervis
Outside Events
Fay Clayton
Advertising
Carol White
Membership Secretary
Issue 8: July/August 2013
Come Barter with me! Do you have a skill you can
offer in exchange for something you need? We would
recommend that barter hours should equate to around
£7.00 per hour, a fair rate we think, although money
never actually exchanges hands. No Current Barter
Opportunities - Any suggestions anyone?
For Sale:
Pedigree Jacobs shearlings for sale. Contact: Carol
07717722221
Heras fencing panels, good condition, including clips
and feet. Each panel 3m long. Good for pens etc;
£15.00 each. Can deliver Bodmin/St Austell area
Contact: John 07912178857 or 01726 850287
To let: Holiday chalet on St Martins; Isles of Scilly.
Sleeps 5. From £320/wk. Contact: Janice 01579
320268
Wanted:
Do you have any surplus insulation sheets/rolls? No
quantity too small, for outdoor shed.
Also wanted two true black fleeces
Tel: 07828555095
Looking for a young female Peahen for a lonely male
Contact: 07717722221
Market dates Fortnightly
Friday 5th , 19th July
Friday 2nd , 19th, 30th August
FUTURE EVENTS:
Next social - Lanhydrock hall for the Sunday 22nd
Sept – 1.30 – 5.00pm
Harvest Festival - details to follow!!.
Knit and Natter group - Jeanette and Erica run the
group on a Monday from 4pm - 6pm everyone is welcome ;
St.Pinnock hall. If you would like to join us and need
directions the please call 01579321775
Courses of Interest run by the
Rural Business School Events
Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st July 2013
BWMB Beginner/ Improver
Shearing: Venue: Alfordon, Okehampton, Devon.
Beginner/improver training at all levels to increase
commercial skills at shearing. 9am – 5pm. Cost: £90 if
eligible, £180 if not eligible. For more information or to book
your place, please call Alison Gould on 01392 477944
Wednesday 14th August 2013 - AM or PM
Gundog
Handler
Training
–
Taster
Sessions: Venue: Tretinney Farm, St Endellion,
Cornwall. PL29 3TS. , This taster session offers an
opportunity to learn from an experienced professional what
is involved in training a gundog, explaining the difference
in animal/bird retrieval and dummy retrieval with an
opportunity to begin training with your dog on the day.
Either 10.30am – 12.30am or 1.30pm – 3.30pm: Cost: £9 if
eligible, £23 if not eligible. For more information or to book
your place, please contact the Rural Business School on 0845
4587485 or rbs@duchy.ac.uk
We hope that you have enjoyed this newsletter and
welcome articles and suggestions for future
newsletters. Please feel free to submit any relevant
articles, short stories, photographs etc for
consideration. Do remember to advertise in the ‘Come
Barter with Me’ and the ‘For Sale/Wanted’ sections.
To contact the editor:
e.mail: Jo Vosper at caspincornwall@hotmail.com
or post to The Editor: Overcoombe Farm; St Pinnock;
Liskeard; PL14 4NA
Tuesday 3rd September 2013
Adding Value to Wool – Small Scale Home
Processing & Spinning: Venue: WI Hall, Chasewater,
Cornwall, TR4 8PZ. This one day event is aimed at those
who wish to add value to their fibre (wool, alpaca or other
fibre) by home processing, carding & spinning their own
wool on a small scale basis. 10am-4pm. Cost: £30.75 if
eligible, £61.50 if not eligible.For more information or
to book your place, please contact the Rural Business School on
0845 4587485 or rbs@duchy.ac.uk
Issue 8: July/August 2013