Farmers Club letter

Client: Shropshire Chamber of Commerce

First draft: 17th April 2008

Dear

Farmers Club – launched on 16th April

We are sorry that you missed the launch event of the new Shropshire Chamber of Commerce Farmer’s Club. I had hopes that the breakfast-to-lunch event would be useful, entertaining and perhaps even eye-opening and it turned out to be all of this and more.

Feedback from those attending was extremely positive. One young farmer on a table of younger attendees emailed me to say that all of his group were really interested in the discussions and found the keynote presentation fascinating. This was a presentation by Dr Derrick Wilkinson, Chief Economist and Head of Land Use at CLA. He looked squarely at the conflicts and possibilities of farming in the next 30 to 50 years using forecasts including the effects of global climate change, population growth and food demand, and issues of crops for food and energy. There was a presentation from the general manager of McConnels in Ludlow about the development of what has become a highly successful local company and the main sponsor of this event. Afterwards, a comedian from a professional troupe helped us to digest new ideas and a good breakfast.

A number of owners of large farms spoke to me personally and warmly welcomed the notion of a club in which they could air and discuss issues that really are close to their hearts and livelihoods – issues that really matter. Others who attended were particularly interested in the fact that, as a member of the Farmer’s Club, you become an automatic member of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce. As such you have access to a great deal of business knowledge and support. In particular, Farmers Club members can tap the expertise of people who provide free advice and guidance on new business ideas and developments, existing and forthcoming legislation, good practice and much besides.

I am really delighted with the way the launch event has gone and we already have substantial new members to make this club work and grow. I hope that you may still be interested in finding out about the Club, listening to the next keynote presentation by a national expert, and sharing your ideas about farming, business and rural affairs. You are very welcome to join us on xx September 2008, in Ludlow.

Yours sincerely

Director of Agricultural and Rural Affairs

Shropshire Chamber of Commerce

Letter to Farmers Club

Client: Shropshire Chamber of Commerce

First draft: 22 April 2008

Dear

Farmers Club – Shropshire Chamber of Commerce

I would like to welcome you warmly to the recently launched Farmer’s Club. Both on the day of the launch meeting, 16th April, and since then I have received extremely positive feedback from people who attended, many of whom have joined the Club.

A dominant response among those who have contacted me is the usefulness of having a forum which helps to share and develop the business knowledge and experience of farmers who too often make decisions in isolation, whether these are day-to-day or strategic. As you know, membership of the Farmers Club provides you with free membership of the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce which offers many advantages. It can provide support and advice on legal and tax matters and on a great range of essential business activities. It is a resource of information, knowledge, capability and networking opportunities that are all now yours to tap.

What excites me most about the Farmer’s Club, which I believe is unique in its form and content, is that it will serve to open doors, raise horizons and will help members to rethink plans and approaches to farming that they may have once believed were cast in stone. Success in all aspects of modern business, including the way we farm or the way we develop ancillary areas of our farms for new business, depends on flexibility and adaptability. The Farmer’s Club brings us to the table to discuss and learn more about issues that really matter to us all, now and in the future.

As a new member of the Club – a founding member no less – I hope to hear from you about any issue or subject that you would like to see on the Club’s agenda. We intend to keep fielding leading experts to give keynote presentations at each meeting; you might have a subject that you particularly want to learn more about. Let us know your ideas and please also let us know if you feel, as the Club develops, that there is more that we should be doing. Meanwhile, I hope you will make maximum use of the Chamber of Commerce which is here to serve you.

I look forward to seeing you at the next meeting which has been arranged for xx September 2008, in Ludlow.

Yours sincerely

Director or Agricultural and Rural Affairs,

Shropshire Chamber of Commerce