News

NFAN Statement dated 12th October 2009

Click here.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/farmsafe/ecoli.htm 

NFAN REGIONAL COORDINATORS

It was agreed at a recent NFAN committee meeting that in order to help the NFAN as an organisation grow in its membership that we should endeavour to secure regional representation from members who may be able to assist in directing our members for help.

This is very much a “volunteer” role.   NFAN already have on board the following Regional Coordintors who are very keen to get involved.

North East

Ann Darlington, Hall Hill Farm, Co Durham - 01388 731333

North West

Neil Milbourn, Walby Farm Park, Cumbria - 01228 573249

West Midlands

Frank Cartwright, Rays Farm Country Matters, Shropshire - 01299 841255

South East

Anna Karteczka, Vision XS - 01865408323

Georgina Johnson, Farming World, Kent - 01227 751144

South West

David Taylor, Taylor Made Play Equipment - 01637 860526

NFAN would obviously give much support and guidance.  If you would like to give your support in any region please contact:   01536 513397 or info@farmattractions.net                                                                                                       

Marsh & Co. are delighted to have received the appointment as the officially approved insurance brokers to NFAN and they look forward to working with its members.

They have placed countless specialist bespoke visitor attractions and entertainment risks over the past 20 years plus.

The NFAN insurance scheme will provide an exclusive policy for NFAN members.  Their scheme uniquely combines both the traditional farming and tghe expanding leisure attractions of the members.

Call the leisure team on 0116 204 2400 for a free insurance health check.

www.marshcompany.co.uk

NFAN/FACE Regional Training Day

"Setting Up Educational Visits"

Monday 30th March 2009

Godstone Children's Farm

Tillburstow Hill Road, Gostone, Surrey, RH9 8LX

FACE and the National Farm Attractions Network joined forces this week to help farmers learn more about hosing educational visits on their farms. 

Farmers were lucky enough to meet at Godstone Farm,  a popular farm attraction located in Surrey.  The farmers who attended came from across the South East region from a wide variety of farms including commercial working farms,  open farms, city farms, small holdings, school farms and land-based colleges.   As well as enjoying a series of presentations from FACE, farmers learnt more about the planning implications of hosting farm visits from Barry Davies of NFAN.  Farmers  were also lucky enough to hear  from Richard Oatway, manager at Godstone Farm who shared some of the ‘highs and lows’ of setting-up and managing a Farm Attraction. 

During lunch in the spring sunshine farmers enjoyed the opportunity to share their own experiences with each other.  The meeting was rounded off with a tour of the farm during which time farmers took away lots of practical ideas for offering children educational experiences on their own farms. Surrey Farmer Rowan Downing said that she had enjoyed the meeting and having  hosted some local interest groups on her farm was now motivated to expand her offering to local schools.

Getting child protection wrong can be catastrophic, both in terms of your ongoing business activity and for the children involved. However getting your approach to child protection right is easy,simply join SAFEchild.

SAFEchild is a charity dedicated to child protection and uniquely, offers a one-stop-shop for all your child protection needs.

Membership provides access to online risk assessments, policies and procedures. SAFEchild also offers online and face-to-face training, CRB checks and onsite audits. Formed in 1999, SAFEchild has trained over 18,000 individuals and supporte over 3000 organisations, including Park Resorts, Butlins and Center Parcs.

Foot and Mouth Disease

With the outbreak of FMD confirmed at a farm in Guildford, Surrey, the NFAN is monitoring very closely the developments of this case and any other suspected cases.  With the summer season underway and the weather finally drying up, farm attractions are at the height of their season.  Most rural attractions are open as usual and encouraging visitors to visit the countryside, trying not to panic them. 

It is essential to re-assure visitors that there are no dangers to visiting your attraction, some have even informed the local press of this.  Some are taking precautions such as disinfective mats and signage.

It is essential to practise good biosecurity.  For further information or if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the NFAN Office on 01536 513397 or info@farmattractions.net

SEEDA Supports Business Recovery in the face of Flooding

Grants of up to £2,500 will be made available to businesses affected by the fllods to help them to develop recovery plans.  THe South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) is making this funding available as part of an initial package to help businesses to make as swift as possible recovery from flooding.

The package includes access to up to 5 days of consultancy for SMEs so that they will get the expert help they need.  Business Link is the main point of contact for companies wishing to access support.  They have established a 'helpdesk' facility to ensure businesses get advice and support quickly and easily. 

Contact: Business Link - 0845 600 9006 or visit www.businesslink.org

New CEVAS Trainers Wanted:

Anyone interested in being considered as a CEVAS trainer, Individuals wishing to be considered as trainers must have either

- attended and passed a CEVAS course and demonstrate teaching experience

- or be an experienced teacher with farming experience nad be familiar with the subjects contained within the CEVAS course

and be

- willing to work with an existing trainer on a CEVAS course

For further information please contact Janet Hickinbottom, FACE on Tel: 02476 853 089

School Farm Network - An organisation to aid the school farms.  The School Farm Network offers support and assistance to school farms.  Giving advice to existing farms and help and encouragement to new projects.  To find out more about this network click here

Trade Membership

The Trade Membership is specifically aimed at the supplies of the leisure and attractions industry. 

For companies that supply products and services to this thriving industry.  With a strong demand for rural tourism and leisure activities, this is an exciting market to target. 

By subscribing the the NFAN as a Trade Member, your companies profile will be promoted to a target audience of farm and rural attractions.

We hope that this new membership brings excellent marketing opportunities to suppliers and will also offer current members a great source of contacts. 

To find more about this new Trade Membership, please contact the NFAN Office on 01536 513397 or email info@farmattractions.net. 

TRAINING FOR FARMERS?  Click here to find out more

Avian Flu

There is currently no evidence to suggest widespread disease in the wild bird population, but enhanced surveillance is taking place and poultry keepers are reminded to remain vigilant and report any signs of disease immediatley.  There is no evidence of disease in domestic birds.  

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/index.htm

If you have any questions on this matter please do not hesitate to contact

the NFAN Office - Tel: 01536 513397 or email: info@farmattractions.net

Bluetongue

The Secretary of State  fo Defrar the Environment announced on 1 November 2007 that Defra are to issue a tender for a Bluetongue vaccine bank of between 10-20 million doses.  For full details of this tender and the most recent information relating to Bluetongue then please visit www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2007/animal-bluetongue-1018.htm

Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing:
After the 6th August 2005 new licenses are needed to sell alcohol. New requirements were meant to simplify things by putting the local authorities in charge of the process not magistrates.

For further guidance and forms contact your local authority or visit www.culture.gov.uk/alcohol_and_entertainment

STUDENT PLACEMENTS REQUIRED

Students from Harper Adams University College are looking for Work Experience Placements.

Harper Adams University College currently run two degree/HND programmes - Rural Leisure Management and Tourism Business Management.

The students are looking for 12 months work experience ideally, but given the seasonal nature of the industry, shorter placements can be considered.

The placement is any time from late June onwards, through until late September of the following year. June may be a bit late for training of staff, so students could probably do some work in the preceding Easter to overcome this problem.

Many of these students come from a farming background and have a strong interest in Rural Leisure and Tourism.

If you believe that you could be a prospective employer - further information can be obtained by contacting Karl Smith, Senior Lecturer Leisure and Tourism at 00684790@harper-adams.ac.uk

The NFAN website;  Please explore it, and let us know what you think about it by emailing us at info@farmattractions.net.