The Autumn meetings started in November with a talk from Club Member Mark Ward of Command Pest Control who managed admirably without the IT facilities he had planned. Although learning that a pair of rats could produce up to 200 offspring in a 12 month period was certainly a sobering thought!
December saw Nigel Merriam from 4Xtra Hands take the floor he soon explained why finding and keeping good staff was difficult and suggested ideas as to how to make the situation more agreeable to both parties.
In January the Club was treated to an inspirational talk by Jim Chapman MBE on ” How not to loose half a stone in half a second” Jim had lost an arm in a PTO accident some years earlier and had gone on to become a Nuffield Scholar and Ambassador to the NFU on Health and Safety matters.
February was a busy month with the usual Club meeting being addressed by Andy Morling from the National Food Crime Unit. This was a most interesting talk on food standards.
At the end of February 17 Members headed for the Puglia region of South Eastern Italy to look at Spinach production, Mozzarella cheese making from Bison milk,wine production and asparagus seedlings being grown under glass. As is usual on such trips eating and drinking featured high on the list of activities, particularly on the second day when two 5 course meals were consumed within 8 hours. Tim Fitzsimmons of Emmetts Italia worked very hard on our behalf and had organised a great intinary for which the Club is most grateful.
In March at the AGM Steve Knight presented a fascinating insight into the trade relationships between the US and the UK, and left us reassured that trade between the two countries would continue following Brexit without a shadow of doubt.
In May a full compliment of Members attended the Non Farm visit to the Waste recycling and Energy facilities run by Viridor and Suez on behalf of Suffolk County Council. (More details under the Non Farm visit post)
Early June saw the Club Annual Farm Walk and Bar B Que by Kind Permission of the directors of Frederick Hiam Ltd, Brick Kiln Farm, Brandon. (More details under the Farm Walk post)