3February 2009 CUMBRIA FARMER FarmingNews
Blonde girl in the ring
Engineer Stewart's a real bread-winner
AN engineer from Southwaite is
planning to get creative with
dough after winning Cumbria
Farmer's breadmaker competition.
Stewart Hudson won a Panason-
ic SD253 breadmaker worth �100
after correctly answering that
Carrs' west Cumbria mill is in Sil-
loth.
Stewart also won a supply of
Carrs' Breadmaker flour.
The 59-year-old said: "Both my
wife and I are conscious of healthy
eating so making our bread is a
great way of knowing exactly what
goes into our food."
Currently converting a barn
near his house into two holiday
cottages, Stewart plans to supply
his visitors with a freshly-baked
loaf as part of a welcome tray.
Caroline Dale, marketing manag-
er for Carrs Breadmaker, said:
"I've given him a few tips, but
using a bread-making machine is
pretty straightforward and gives
you tremendous results."
B
londe and diminutive,
Lynne Grieve is used to
being surrounded by
huge beasts in the ring at
Borderway Mart in Carlisle.
But what she lacks in brawn, she
more than makes up for in brains
having recently come top of the
class after her first year on the
Livestock Auctioneers' Association
(LAA) foundation degree course.
Growing up on the family beef
and sheep farm in Hexham, Lynne
was rarely out of her father's shad-
ow following in his footsteps as he
worked � her career in agriculture
was never in doubt.
Now a member of Harrison and
Hetherington's field staff, she loves
nothing better than getting out
onto farms and meeting the occu-
pants.
She said: "I really like working
with farmers, but you have to
know what you're talking about or
they soon shoot you down.
"My job involves everything
from booking in cattle to visiting
farms and canvassing stock. I also
go in the ring bid-spotting to help
the auctioneers."
It will take another three years
to complete the course, giving
Lynne plenty of time to decide if
she wants to step up to the rostrum
herself.
During the foot and mouth crisis
in 2001, there was no escape from
the darkest days of farming. She
worked at the government's emer-
gency headquarters in Carlisle,
taking calls from distraught farm-
ers, often as their animals were
being slaughtered in the yard.
The job at Harrison and Hether-
ington came up after her contract
with MAFF ended.
Just like at work, the people on
the foundation course are mostly
male � in fact, she is the only
female in her year.
After completing a week-long
residential course at Newton Rigg
in January, the students work on
their own to finish several assign-
ments before exams in November.
Last month, the students
visited a slaughter house to
grade animals. They then saw the
whole process and the finished
product at the end of the day.
Being a field officer is anything
but a desk job and much of Lynne's
time is spent helping in the ring.
She said: "The lads keep an eye
on me; if a beast jumps, they push
me out of the way. I'm sure they
are getting bigger and I've been
scared once or twice."
The foundation course has
grown in popularity each year
since it launched at Newton Rigg
in 2006. There were nine students
in the first year while January's
fresher intake reached 20.
Students are based all over the
UK � one travels from Orkney for
the residential course and exams.
Among the modules studied are
finance and health and safety. The
students also learn about auction-
eering, livestock market opera-
Man with a plan: Stewart Hudson, pictured here with Carrs' Caroline Dale, plans to put his breadmaker to
good use in his new holiday cottages BEN RUSSELL
Anna Burdett meets Lynne Grieve, who recently came top of the class after her
first year on the Livestock Auctioneers' Association foundation degree course
Fieldwork: Lynne Grieve talking to farmer Harry Fisher out on Temon Farm, near Brampton; and, inset, Lynne receives her auctioneer's gavel from the LAA's Chris Dodds, left,
Dr Eunice Simmons of Newton Rigg Campus and Nick Utting
tions, valuation and dispute work.
Most students are sponsored by
their employers to complete the
course and, after three years, they
qualify to become an associate of
the LAA.
Chris Dodds, a course lecturer
and executive secretary of the
LAA, said: "I think it's vital that
young auctioneers are educated
about the responsibilities of run-
ning the business.
"In 30 years time, they might
well be the bosses of auction marts
up and down the country.
"Twenty years ago, an auction-
eer was only that; they need to have
a wider knowledge today. Running
an auction mart is the same as any
agricultural business, you're
always looking for a wider scope
from which to make your living."
Woodworking skills
FREE courses on woodworking skills such as
fencing and felling are on offer this month.
The Bassenthwaite Reflections project has
funded the courses as part of its efforts to protect
the lake and its surroundings.
Leader Martin Clark said: "In times of extreme
weather, tree planting and dealing with blown
timber is more important than ever. "
Call Andy or Luke at Grampus Heritage on 016973
21516 or email andy@grampusheritage.co.uk.
LOUISEPORTER
CUMBRIA
CONCRETE
PRODUCTS
Pre-stressed Concrete
Panels for Livestock
Housing and Crop Storage
For Competitive Prices
Contact:
Ken Hetherington
Tel: 01228 674561
Fax: 01228 674485
Farm Crisis
Network
7am-11pm every day
Helpline
number
0845
3679990
www.fcn.org.uk

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