Farm Conservation Adviser: Sth West Herefordshire

Caroline joined Herefordshire FWAG as an adviser in 2000. Originally from a Norfolk farming family, she studied Natural Sciences, specialising in Botany and then Crop Protection.  She worked for several years in Tanzania on a grain storage project with maize and cassava farmers who were looking for sustainable ways to control a non-native beetle pest.  Later she worked in Britain on MAFF funded research projects on integrated pest management of frit fly and on beneficial grassland invertebrates in grassland margins.

Her connections with Herefordshire go back to a short spell as a student with ADAS in Evesham and she finally moved to Herefordshire with her husband James and their family in 1996.  James works for a livestock consultancy group based at the University of Reading, specialising in the use of livestock information by dairy farmers and vets to improve herd health and performance. 

Caroline enjoys music and eating good local food which the family produce on a few acres beside the River Wye in Eaton Bishop including a small flock of sheep, hens, an orchard and a veggie plot.

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Farm Conservation Adviser: East & SE Herefordshire

Janet had been involved with Worcestershire FWAG as Secretary of the group's committee, and other conservation charities, where she had developed her interest in conservation before employment for FWAG which began in 1996.

Janet has lived on a farm all her life, beginning in Northamptonshire where her family still farm, and for the last 33 years has lived with her husband, Edward, on their 650 acre rented farm in Madresfield. When bringing up their two children, Janet reared the calves on the pedigree Holstein dairy farm, and later led a diversification into making yoghurt, which lasted ten years.

The main accent of the dairy business had been on breeding pedigree cattle, and TB in the herd had been disruptive in this enterprise, and when the herd went clear of TB for the first time for 5 years in 2004, the decision had already been made to leave the dairy industry. As well as arable, Edward and Janet now have an extensively managed beef suckler herd, producing Aberdeen Angus for Waitrose, which sits alongside management under HLS on parkland, ridge and furrow and other historic features on the farm.

Janet's hobbies include gundog training and horse riding, and she is an active member of a local archaeological group.

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Farm Conservation Adviser: North Herefordshire

Mike was born and brought up on a family farm in Preston on Wye in West Herefordshire. His family have been farming in the area for over 400 years. After seven years away spent on education and a range of jobs he returned to Herefordshire to farm with his family, growing cereals, sugar beet and cider apples. He also developed an interest in conservation work and was one of the first farmers in Herefordshire to join the new Countryside Stewardship Scheme. In 1995 he left the farm to start work with FWAG and moved, with his then young family, to Norton Canon. The job takes in many of his interests, including farming, wildlife and local history. Hobbies include walking and cycling. 

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Development Manager - West Midlands

Margot farms with her husband, Anthony, at Llandrindod Wells. The farm is currently in the process of organic conversion, and has a flock of Lleyn sheep and a suckler herd. The farm is in environmental stewardship under Tir Cynnal. A holiday cottage on the farm is a new diversification.

Margot joined FWAG in 1994, as the first Development Officer employed by a county FWAG, to raise the profile, gain membership and develop the business. Recently her role has widened to cover the West Midlands.

Prior to working for FWAG, Margot arranged shipment of horses around the world, flying them to and from sales, races and events and she attended thoroughbred sales in America, Ireland and France.

Horses have always played an important part in her life, and Margot enjoys riding her mare, an 8 yr TB/Cleveland Bay. In the winter she hunts with the Radnor and West Herefordshire hunt.

Margot believes passionately in the survival of the rural way of life - its countryside, farming communities, traditions, country sports and local independent shops.

In any spare time, Margot enjoys working her sheep dog, going to shows and point to points, trying to improve the garden, watching a good film, a glass of wine and the company of friends.

Membership and Events Co-ordinator

Lucinda has worked for Herefordshire FWAG on a part time basis for over 10 years. She originally started out helping Margot in her office with general administration and has moved on to being responsible for the membership database, organising members events, the newsletter and the trade directory and as well as many other things.

She moved from North Wales to London and spent 8 years there working for Saatchi and Saatchi Advertising, and then moved to Herefordshire in 1993, having had enough of city living! Lucinda's first job in Herefordshire was at the Hereford Times working on their Property Section where she stayed for two years. After a short break she worked for the North Herefordshire Country Fair which was where the connection with Margot was made.

When not working for FWAG Lucinda spends her time looking after her family, any time left after that is spent riding and gardening!

Chairman

David, who comes from a farming background, completed his formal education at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester in 1977.  He joined the Duchy of Cornwall during 1978 qualifying with both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers during 1980.  Having moved both location and position several times within the Duchy David came to Herefordshire in 2000 establishing the then new Duchy of Cornwall district office at Dewsall. 

As Land Steward of the Duchy's Eastern District David is currently responsible for managing estates totalling some 38,000 acres located within nine counties stretching from Dorset to Nottinghamshire. In addition he has further specialised activity areas relating to rural regeneration and alternative energy strategies.

David also sits on the county committee for the CLA and the governing council of the CAAV.  When not at work David enjoys life on the family smallholding at Lyonshall producing cider apples and running a small flock of sheep.

Herefordshire FWAG Committee:
Henry Rudge, Tony Isaac, Philip Gorringe, Brian Willder, Colin Powell, Clive Gurney, Chris Fairs, Patrick Wrixon, Elwyn Maddy.