I WAS brought up on the family farm and have been a farmer since leaving school.

In 2001 when we were taken out with foot and mouth, I had time to reflect and consider what I was doing with my life. As the former Somerset and England Cricketer said: “Life is not a rehearsal. You only have one shot.”

So I decided to look for jobs outside of farming, and eventually was asked if I wanted to be a part time Pastor of a Church. I started a distance learning course and part of that entailed doing a community placement. I chose FCN and shadowed Brian Warren, who was at that time the coordinator for Devon. It opened my eyes to the problems and issues and needs that exist.

I joined the Farming Community Network over sixteen years ago as a volunteer, fulfilling numerous roles within the charity.

Farming continues to be challenging with so many things out of our control, such as the weather, animal diseases, and market prices, and the bureaucracy that is imposed.

It remains important to do well the things we can control.

When life happens and we are tired, overwhelmed, anxious, grieving, and in pain - whether physically or mentally – it is good to talk things through. FCN has a confidential helpline [03000 111 999] and e-helpline [help@fcn.org.uk] which is open every day from 7am- 11pm.

Our website has a section called Farmwell which has links to different sites dealing with Business Resilience and Personal Resilience.

Dates for the diary

  • Exeter Market Health Hub has Flu and Covid jabs on October 25, November 8 and November 29
  • Exeter Market Christmas Carol Service - December 17

I have met some great people within FCN and it has been a privilege to get alongside farmers, to listen to their stories and look at ways of easing the pressures, to find perspective and to find a way through.