a call for help

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone

I am here definitely without my council hat on.

I want to make a plea for last minute help for a farm near to where I am

living, in Market Drayton in Shropshire. For any of you who read the

Guardian, it is featured today (Wed 21st June) on page 10 of the 'Society

Guardian' entitled 'Protection money'.

Fordhall Farm has been worked without any chemicals since 1929. Its original

tenant, Arthur Hollins, took it over at the age of 14, in 1929. At that

time, it was very run down and had lots of debts. Arthur soon realised that

manuring the land gave better yields than chemicals and began to farm using

traditional methods. He continued to develop his ideas and pioneered the UKs

first live organic yoghurt. (Ironic, since the 'yoghurt' giants Muller have

a huge factory right next door and are the farm's biggest threat)

After Arthur's death in 2005, and following 15 years of battling against

eviction, it looked as if the farm would be sold off. However, his children,

Charlotte (aged 24) and Ben (21) took up the gauntlet and are fighting to

save the farm, and the way of life, and farming, that they were brought up

in. They have no chance of buying the land themselves, and don't want to.

Instead, they are trying to raise the money to buy it as a co-operative, and

run it as a community venture, with the express aim of involving the local

community and providing an educative service about the value of organic

farming, healthy eating etc. To this end, they have worked tirelessly for

the last 18 months, to try to raise the money to buy the farm, while still

farming organically. They were granted a 'stay of execution' at the last

minute last year, and given until July 1st this year to raise £800,000,

which is the price being asked by the present landlord. If they can't do it,

the farm will be sold off in lots, and Muller is poised to snap it up.

They are now up to £550,000, and have only 10 days to go. They are selling

shares in the farm (non-profit making) for £50 each. They have had some

fantastic help from small and large benefactors alike, and lots of media

coverage, but time is running out.

I'm making a shameless plea for help here. I think this needs support, not

just because Charlotte and Ben deserve it (they do!) but because this is the

kind of venture that just has to succeed, to prove to the big 'men in suits'

that they can't have it all their own way, that the 'right' way of living,

farming, eating, is important, and that there are enough people out there

who think it's important too.

You can read all about it at <www.fordhallfarm.com>. I don't know how to put

links on emails, but please, if you believe in organic farming, teaching

people about it, eating healthy food, just take the time to look at the

website. And if you can afford £50, buy a share. Only 10 days to raise

£250,000! If they don't raise enough money, you'll get it back. If they do,

you'll have helped to save something really special. I've walked around this

farm. It's truly beautiful. It has an old herb garden behind the farmhouse

which they want me to look at and rescue. It has a field that hasn't been

touched for 20 years, and they want to know what's growing in it. It's worth

at least 5 minutes of your time to look at, and whatever you can afford, to

help save it.

This is real 59th minute of 11th hour stuff. If you see this, look at the

website. Buy a share (you can do it online) I don't care if this is

sentimental, sensationalist, whatever criticism you care to level at me. It

matters.

Love to all.

Alison xx

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