Albie Matthews

London

Reporter at Farmers Weekly

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Articles

Britain’s Fittest Farmer 2025 kicks off at Lincolnshire Show

1 week ago | fwi.co.uk | Albie Matthews

The eighth annual Britain’s Fittest Farmer competition kicked off on 18 June at the Lincolnshire Show, under a scorching sun that added to the challenge. Farmers from across the region battled the heat and each other in tests of strength and stamina, flipping tractor tyres, pulling 4x4s, and lifting heavy sandbags. Friends and family cheered on the competitors, creating an atmosphere buzzing with camaraderie and determination.
Country Link: A natural home for former young farmers

1 week ago | fwi.co.uk | Albie Matthews

A national countryside club is offering a space for people who have “aged out” of Young Farmers, but still want connection, community, and countryside-based fun. Country Link, founded in 1985 and celebrating its 40th anniversary, recently held its Spring National Weekend, bringing together 76 members from across the UK for a packed programme of social activities.
Teen ordered to attend fire safety course after farm blaze

2 weeks ago | fwi.co.uk | Albie Matthews

A 15-year-old will attend a fire safety course and has apologised to a farmer after admitting to starting a fire beside hay bales on a north Essex farm. The incident, which took place in the Braintree district, prompted an investigation by the Essex Police Rural Engagement Team. Although the fire was extinguished before it could cause significant damage, police emphasised the serious risks involved.
Sheep farmers warned as blowfly risk rises to red

2 weeks ago | fwi.co.uk | Albie Matthews

Sheep farmers across the UK are being urged to take action after Blowfly Watch raised its national risk alert to red, signalling a high threat of blowfly strike due to recent weather conditions. The Blowfly Watch risk forecast, developed with the National Animal Disease Information Service (Nadis) draws on Met Office data, including soil temperature and humidity, to assess strike risk in 40sq km zones across the country.
Grants to help charities deliver 19,000t of surplus food

2 weeks ago | fwi.co.uk | Albie Matthews

More than 19,000t of surplus food will be redistributed to food banks, shelters and charities across England, thanks to £13.6m in Defra grants. Twelve food redistribution organisations have secured funding through the government’s Plan for Change and Tackling Food Surplus at the Farm Gate scheme. The grants aim to divert edible produce directly from farms to communities, addressing both food poverty and food waste.
Rabi to relaunch £1m back-to-school grant scheme

3 weeks ago | fwi.co.uk | Albie Matthews

Thousands of farming families across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be able to benefit from the fourth Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (Rabi) Return to School (RTS) grant, which opens from 16 June 2025. With £1m committed, the RTS grant offers £200 per child aged four to 16 to support school costs for eligible farming families.
DIY AGM Blackpool: Mixed emotions as farmers come to town

1 month ago | fwi.co.uk | Albie Matthews

© Ben Hesketh Photography I’d never been to the DIY AGM before – just heard the stories. A wild, unofficial young farmers’ weekend that’s half community, half free-for-all. What I got was something in between: it felt like freshers’ week, but with more local animosity. By the time I arrived, just before noon on the Friday, Blackpool was already humming — a sea of mullets, harlequin shorts, and high spirits.
Emily Norton named new chairman of AHDB

1 month ago | fwi.co.uk | Albie Matthews

Emily Norton has been appointed as the new chairman of the AHDB, taking up the role for three years from 1 June 2025. With more than 25 years of experience in the food and farming sector, Ms Norton succeeds Nicholas Saphir, who steps down after more than five years in post. The appointment was made by Defra ministers with approval from ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Petition calls for 12-month amnesty on property relief

1 month ago | fwi.co.uk | Albie Matthews

A new petition launched by farmer and campaigner Olly Harrison is calling on the UK government to introduce a 12-month amnesty on proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR). The petition argues that this temporary pause would allow farming families time to transfer land and assets before any changes come into effect following the Autumn Budget 2024.
RSABI appoints first suicide prevention lead

1 month ago | fwi.co.uk | Albie Matthews

The Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (Rsabi) has appointed its first full-time suicide prevention lead, a significant step in addressing rising suicide rates in agriculture and offering vital support to those at risk. Josie Barclay, who comes from a farming family in Moray, joins Rsabi with two years’ experience as a senior mental health practitioner. She holds a social work degree and a postgraduate certificate mental health officer award from Robert Gordon University.