Rural Ramblings

Blogger at Last

2011-11-21T17:25:00.000Z

At last I have managed to enter my blog site. For some reason Yahoo decided to change my address and I have been unable to gain access to the blog for 10 months. I cant believe how much has happened.

I will compose a full blog tomorrow with all the Vale training news. Until then please meet our new member of the office team

This is Pip my new desk top

She is my son Ed's 6 month old Parsons Jack Russell, but she spends her days answering the phone and running courses

Happy New Year

2011-01-06T16:36:00.009Z

A very Happy New Year to all our friends and customers.

This will be my 25th year of running Vale Training, and how things have changed. During my first year of delivering course, we ran 12 sessions for a client base of 15. Last year we ran over 350 training days, training around 1000 people and have a client base of around 1500 businesses. I thank you all for your help and support over the years.

The snow just before Christmas meant we had to cancel some course, these will be reschedule during the next few weeks. So watch the website for updates. We now also have a face book page, this will enable us to update information quickly. to access this facility simply add Vale Training to your face book friends list.

During 2011 we will be delivering some new courses, these include BASIS Amenity Horticulture, woodland management workshops, beef butchery - cutting and professional tree inspection. All the regular course will be on offer this year too

We hope you will find our new course and features useful. Let us know what you think.

All good wishes for 2011

Kate Mason

Spring at last

2010-05-21T14:33:00.006+01:00

At Last Spring has arrived. This winter seems to have stayed with us longer than usual, although the time has flown by. Its so nice to be able to sit with the office door open and listen to the birds twitter in the original sense. Despite the current recession, Vale Training seems to be as busy as ever. We have delivered nearly 330 course days to around 900 delegates in the past year, June to May, and the courses delivered have been varied and interesting. We have delivered training in subjects as diverse as lambing to food hygiene, sausage making to advanced agronomy and chemical application. So a big thank you to all our customers for your continued support. We are constantly trying to improve the serves we offer so if you have any ideas do please let us know.

The farm has been busy too. There have been lots of new arrivals, over 500 lambs, 6 cows, 12 calves and 3 chickens, as well a new member of staff. Tim, who had worked here with us for over 12 years, decided it was time to return to Scotland with his partner Catriona. I am not sure who was more upset at his leaving him or us, but we wish them both lots of luck in their new life. Ian joined the team at the beginning of May, and seems to be settling in well to life at Marsh Hill Farm.

Grant aid on course continues to be the bane of my life, with over three weeks every month taken up with processing of claims and documents. I suppose it is a necessary evil, but wonder how many of our clients would miss grant if we decided not to continue with RDPE funding after 2011. Comments would be warmly welcomed

Things to look out for in the coming weeks: the new mix 96 adverts which goes to air this week, our new stand at the Waddesdon Country show on 5th June, and some new courses on offer over the summer. Watch this space

So to the end of another blog, I relay must try to do them more often, so that we keep you all up to date with life at the Training Centre, our highs and lows. Have a good Spring.

Kate Mason

PS the sheep is called Tibbles, and the calf Miranda

2009-09-10T11:59:00.006+01:00

Fund helps land skills training

Below are details made available by Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for landbased industries and SEEDA. The information is available from the BBC web site

Farmers, foresters and growers in South East England will be able to help pay for training courses during the winter from a £500,000 rural development fund.
The training programme, managed by LandSkills South East (Lantra), offers up to 70% funding for businesses.
Since it began in September 2008, more than 3,800 people have taken 8,000 courses as part of the £2.1m project.
"In times of recession, it's not every day you can announce there is money available," said boss Shelley Newton.
Technical training available includes agronomy, IT, first aid, marketing and working with other nationalities.
The winter programme also includes courses on rural tourism and sourcing local produce.
Lantra manages the scheme for the South East England Development Agency, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and East and West Sussex.

For full details of courses on offer in Buckinghamshire and information on level of funding available go to the Vale Training main web site, or from our office on 01296 612201

Summer 09

2009-07-15T11:53:00.006+01:00

Tt seems only yesterday I wrote the last blog, but it was almost two months ago.

The recession still seems to be hitting businesses hard, but for us, June and July has been one of the busiest summer periods on record, with over 40 courses having been delivered. We would usually run 20-30 courses maximum. I find it very hard to give reason for this, but must be grateful for all the support we receive from customers, so a big thanks you to you all.

This year we have decided not to run any courses in August. This is to enable us to redecorate, regroup and prepare for the winter ahead. It will also allow us to finally get to grips with the new computer we installed last month, as well as giving us an opportunity to take a break!! We are already booking our winter programme and organising some new courses, so if there is something we are not currently offering, that you would like us to organise, please let us know. We are always looking for feed back on our services and we would particularly welcome comments from customers who have attended training courses with us.

We will be attending several shows this summer, so do please come and visit our stand. Among the events we will be at are the New Kimblewick Country Fair, the Thame Sheep Fair, the Bucks Show and Thame Show. We hope to have a new stand for the Bucks Show,watch this space.

The farm is just beginning to get busy, and many of our friends and Neighbours are about to start combining. We have not grow barley or oil seed rape this year, so will not be harvesting for a couple of weeks, however there is still plenty to do with pre-harvest cleaning, machinery preparation and planning for the coming year. We hope to start cutting Oats in a couple of weeks and then on with the wheat. Most of our Oats go for human consumption either for the biscuit trade or breakfast cereals. The wheat is used both in bread making and for cattle feed. So the next time you see a grain lorry rumble past don't complain about the farmer, remember it may be your breakfast he is sending for precessing.

I hope you have a good summer and do please visit us again, or even leave a blog. You could also listen for our new add on Mix 96, Aylesburys local radio station....

Best wishes

Kate Mason

Spring News From Vale Training

2009-05-20T10:50:00.006+01:00

How time flies, it is almost a year since I last blogged.

We have had a very busy winter training, despite the current economic gloom, and the farm is looking relatively well following a very difficult Autumn. Lambing was fairly easy and successful, so all is well in the world.

We finally began delivering training under the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) in October 2008, after over a years waiting for the details to be sorted out. The training project we are delivering is in partnership with Lantra, the sector skills council for landbased industries, and is called Landskills South East. Similar projects are now being delivered throughout England. The projects, although slow to get off the ground, are now operating successfully despite a few back room issues. The project will run untill June 2011, with funding ranging from 40-70% of course cost. To be eligible you must spend 50% of your time working in agriculture, forestry or production horticulture

Our Fresh Start academy continues to meet. This winter they have covered employment law , legal issues and heath and safety. They are currently planning a farm walk for June, so if you are interest in coming a long just give me a call. Two of our founder members took their first Farm last Autumn, and we have just heard it is going very well for them. Congratulations to Peter and Katie Gregory and we all wish you well. We will also pilot an Open College Network qualification for those wishing to take the academy a step further.

The Arable Group also continues to flourish under the leadership of Ian Waller, who won the Farmers weekly environmental farm of the year in 2008-9. We have been nominated for the 2009-10 farm diversification award and are currently waiting to hear if we have got to the final. There arable group has this year taken the bull by the horns and six of its members are undertaking a benchmarking project. This is enabling the group to look at their business more fully, and it has already opened up some interesting issues. More on this later in the year.

Vale Training has also taken the bull by the horns and taken advantage of cheaper advertising. I have decided we should have an add on the local radio, which you can listen to by clicking on the link on our home page. It has received a good response and hopefully will encourage new customers. We will also be publishing our annual training programme in time for the Bucks Show, at the end of August. In the mean time we will have a stand at the Bucks Young Farmers Show at Milton Keynes on 30th May and at the Kimblewick Country fair on 1st August.

Enough for now, so hope to see you at one of the events we are attending or on a training course. Best Wishes. Kate Mason

At last

2008-10-01T11:29:00.006+01:00

What a long Summer this has been, a harvest we would all like to forget and personnel losses. My father inlaw Colin Mason having died in mid June. Colin bought the farm we now run here at Marsh, in 1964, he was also a founder member of The Vale Training Group, from which Vale Training Services developed. He played a vital part in all our lives and will be much missed.

However, at last I am please to inform you that on Friday, we signed the SEEDA-DEFRA-Lantra contract, to enable us to deliver training under the new Rural Development Plan for England (RDPE). The project will be known as Lantra LandSkills South East. This project will allow those working for 50% or more of their time in horticulture, forestry or agriculture to claim grant toward their training costs. Full eligibility criteria available as soon as possible. The amount available for each course is dependent on the training you wish to take, and is guided by the regional policy plan. This varies from 70% to 40%, a full list of funding will be made available at a later date. We will be able deliver a wide range of training, under the project, but on a limited basis, as this time around the projects are much tighter. I also regret, that as a result of the increased level of paper work, a registration fee will be charged, to enable us to cover the increased costing and bank fees. This fee will be in the order of £10 per person per course. This fee will not be charged to unfunded trainees. When delivering projects of this nature we are not allowed any element of profit, and must be able to prove under strict audit that we have only claimed eligible costs, at acceptable levels. We will however be able to claim for assessment fees.

The project will be delivered by 24 providers, accredited by RBAT, in the South East. You are advised that you can apply for training through any of these individuals. A full list is available by visiting either the RBAT or Lantra web sites, the links are available on our web site. Providers will also be required to publicize their available training places on the Lantra course finder site, again available on our site, as below.

Funding has also been secured for the Vale Arable Group, Orion Dairy Group, and a new North Bucks Arable Group. as well as funding for the Fresh Start academy through Laurence Gould Partnership Limited.

A full list of courses, dates and course out lines are available on our web site. We will also produce the annual training book in the next few weeks.

Please note we are now able to take on line payments via pay pal. If using this facility please remember to add VAT to course fees.

I would like to thank all the staff at SEEDA, Lantra and RBAT, both past and present for the help they have given us at Vale training to get this project off the desk!!! A big thanks to Terry Bradfield, Sarah Richards, Adam Vernon and Kate Green

Regards. Kate Mason

“The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) is funded by Defra and the EU. The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD): Europe investing in rural areas”

How time flies

2008-05-29T17:52:00.007+01:00

It seems only five minutes since I last up dated the blog, but that is now several month ago.

The winter has been very busy, despite all our concerns regarding the lack of funding. We have run a verity course from sausage making to digger driving, all of which have been well attended.

During the winter we have also seen our academy members grow in ability and confidence, with our first members realising their ambition to obtain a farm tenancy. Paul and Katie will be moving to Yorkshire in the autumn to run a mixed farm. We all wish them well. The academy speakers have been excellent, and we have received very positive feed back from members, so much so that we are currently putting the winter programme together. We will also pilot an award which will recognise the achievement of the academy members.

The farm has wintered well too. With rising corn and meat prices all looks a little brighter this spring, despite the increase in fuel bills, life is far more positive. We had a fairly good laming season and the little dears are now growing and looking well. Blue tongue has continued to play its part in our management of livestock, as the turning out of cattle had to be delayed so that the stock could be injected with the first of their two injections. Injecting them the second time was more exciting, leaving one with a cut leg, which required vets visit and two dented cars. An expensive day for all.

To end this blog we have good news on the funding front. SEEDA have accepted the consortium bid submitted by Lantra and RBAT, to deliver training under the Rural Development Plan for England. This will mean training grants will be available to our customers employed in agriculture, horticulture and now forestry from the autumn of this year. This will be great of all concerned and allow us to move all our business on. We are also hopeful that the Leader initiatives will allow others to access grant for their business development.

To close it is still raining here in Marsh, but we wish you a sunny June.

Kate Mason

FRESH START FOR RURAL BUSINESS

2007-10-25T11:36:00.000+01:00

Well what a busy couple of months we have had. There is so much going on in the rural economy at the moment, particularly funding for training and rural business development.

But first the Fresh Start academy launch which took place on 16th October. What a great night it was, and I was very proud to be amongst so many people with a passion for agriculture. We were very privileged that the event was attended by Johnathan Shaw MP, Minister for Marine, Landscape & Rural Affairs and Minister for the South East. In his address to the 50+ guests , of which 18 were candidates, Mr Shaw said “Farming was, is, and always will be one of our country’s biggest assets. But, most importantly, farming has a future. And that is what we are here to emphasise today. It’s a future we’re responsible for. One that has to be a real priority for all of us – as farmers, politicians, consumers, and citizens. In 2006, UK farming contributed £5.6 billion to our economy and employed over half a million people. The industry has long been involved in shaping and maintaining our most precious landscapes – providing the gateway to some of our most beautiful scenery. I am very proud of the way ‘Fresh Start’, and the Academies in particular, have developed. The way it is being driven forward from within the industry itself. And I am proud that DEFRA is supporting it.”

I recently attended a meeting in London with other fresh start coordinators from around the country, it was good to exchange ideas and contacts, as well as get to know each other better. We also met with Sir Don Curry, and other influential people, to discuss the issues facing both new entrants to farming and those looking to exit the industry. There are major issues relating to the latter, and a lot of work will need to be undertaken, to allow for changes in attitude to retirement and succession with in land based industries.

So what else has happened since our last blog. Well there is lots going on the funding front. The new Rural Development Plan for England is now being worked out, and there will be substantial amounts of funds available to rural businesses in the South East through various projects. These will be administered through the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), who also support fresh start. The funds will be available for training, capital expenditure, community projects as well as many other things. The new LEADA initiatives will also allow greater access to RDPE money for community activities that have an environmental and agricultural slant. It is important that you contact local LEADA Action Groups (LAG) with ideas of what you need in your area. Watch this space for more information and details, over the next few weeks.

By the way please leave us comments by clicking below. We relay need your feed back

Kate Mason

Back With A Bang

2007-09-04T17:27:00.000+01:00

August is now over and time to get back to the grind stone. The Bucks Show, has been and gone, and now time to get the new training programme out to our clients. We hope to do that later this week.

The Show was a great success for us this year having changed the position of our site. We seemed to very busy all day, and it was good to see so many familiar faces, as well as lots of new ones. Despite the lack of livestock on display, we seemed to spend most of the day talk through the procedure for those needing certificates of competence in the transportation of livestock.

The new regulations come in to force on 5th January 2008. Many courses are now on offer to deal with this. The Regulation applies to all those involved with the transport of live vertebrate animals in connection with an economic activity. For example: livestock and equine hauliers; farmers and commercial pet breeders. By 5th January, 2008 drivers and attendants transporting farmed animals, horses and poultry on journeys over 8 hours or 65km (approximately 40 miles) will be required to hold a Certificate of Competence. This will only be issued to an individual if they have received training and undergone an independent assessment by an accredited body. You will need to look at what is available in your area and decide what best suits you. A formal course may not alwys be requred, but the on line assessment will. So get booked in soon as time is running out, and we for see a rush just before Christmas.

On the farming front, the harvest is now over and all is safely gathered in. The yields were down, but prices up, so we should not complain to much. It was however a difficult year as the rain never seemed to be far away. Now we are busy preaping to plant for next year.

Do please contact us or leave feed back on the blogg. Its very easy.....

Kate

Academy Moves Forward

2007-07-12T10:04:00.000+01:00

The Fresh start academy for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire moved a step forward this week, when a lunch date was set for 16th October 2007.

The academy will be based here at Marsh Hill Centre. The aim of Fresh Start is to help young people find openings within the agricultural sector. It will offer participants the opportunity to be involved in a comprehensive programme of training, designed to meet their needs. The training will take place over about 18 months and cover various aspects of business management, finance, and development. There will also be the opportunity to be matched with a business mentor or retiring farmer. At the end of the course participant will have the skills they need to run a successful farming business. The group is designed for those aged between 25 and 35, or though there is no upper or lower age limit. This academy will be part of a national network, so there will be varied opportunities. In the South East the project is being financially supported by SEEDA

The project is being steered by a group of motivated individuals who believe there is a future for British agriculture. This group is drawn from a variety of organisations. These include Representatives from the The Young Farmers Clubs, Land Agents, as well as our selves. For more information go to the DEFRA web site, where you will find fresh started listed under F.

This blog was posted by Kate Mason on July 12th 2207.

2007-06-26T12:27:00.000+01:00

Well here we are gain blog number two.

Flooding seems to have been the word of the week, and there was nothing different here at Marsh Hill Farm. We have spent the past few days dodging rain clouds and praying for better weather. We are desperate for the sun to shine as we need to get on with making hay, this is normally done about the 18th June, but as yet there seems to be no let up in the rain. Looking on the bright side, every thing is looking very green, as you will see from the picture taken from my office window this morning, and we have plenty of grass for the cattle and sheep to eat. Unlike last year, when every thing was brown and we had very little grass.

On the training side, we have been able to run all our courses, although the tree climbers did get very wet last Friday, but this didn't dampen their spirits as they all passed their NPTC climbing and areal rescue assessments. Well done all of you. We have also had tractor driving, sheep foot care and IT courses going on at the centre in the last week, as well as using a chainsaw from a rope and harness, and forklift training away from the centre.

We have also spent the last few weeks getting the programme of training ready for next year, and having meetings with SEEDA regarding future funding for the rural community. Watch this space. The programme will be available for the Bucks County show on August 30th. If you have any suggestions for a competition we could run there I would be very grateful, and we hope you will visit us, for a drink and a chat. Click this link for more information about the show. http://www.buckscountyshow.co.uk/

We plan to close in August this year, so that we can have a well earned rest. With so many changes having taken place in the last year, as well as running over 420 training days, with over 1000 trainees attending, we all feel the need for some R & R.

Posted by Kate Mason 26th June 2007

The First Rural Rambling.

2007-06-11T16:01:00.000+01:00

This is our first blog posting and as such, will be a brief background in to Vale Training Services, who we are and what we stand for.

I have been running Vale Training Services and previously Group for 21 year. It has always been our remit to provide cost effective training to Raul Businesses, weather land based, or just located in the countryside. We pride our selves on our ethics, and always try to give the best service we can to our clients. Honesty is the watch word in our company, and we will endeavor to give true information, even if we made the mistake.

We are based on a farm in Buckinghamshire, and have a purpose built training centre with three training rooms. The centre was created from a redundant dairy unit, with the aid of a grant from the England Rural Development Fund, something for which I will always be grateful.

There are currently three members of staff, Myself Kate Mason, Melanie Whyte who works 3-4 days per week and Chris Jackman who does the accounts on a Friday. My husband Tim helps with instructing when he is not busy working on the farm.

The Farm is an important part of our business, allowing us the opportunity to deliver training to people in an environment they immediately feel settled in. We encourage our clients out of the class room, and into the farm yard, where they can relax and unwind.

In future blogs we will give you a broader picture of what we are doing both in the training room and out on the farm. We will also look forward to receiving your feed back.

Happy bloging

Kate Mason