By Eleanor Holdsworth

A CLAY-SHOOTING event held on the Warwickshire-Northamptonshire border raised more than £23,000 for a charity which supports farmers.

The ‘Newton Cup’ was held at Shuckburgh Estate last month (20th May 2022), hosted by the property company Newton LDP.

More than 160 people took part in the clay shoot event, which also included a dinner, auction and raffle, with all profits donated to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) – a national charity that provides local support to the farming community across England and Wales.

About Shuckburgh Estate

• A private estate on the border between Warwickshire and Northamptonshire

• 2,500 acres

• The Hall has been the seat of the Shuckburgh family for more than 1,000 years

• Fallow deer, pheasants and other wildlife can be found in the grounds

• The estate is just off the A425, south of Flecknoe

Richard Foxon, Newton LDP Managing Director, said: "This was a fantastic day and I really want to say thank you to all of our generous sponsors and those who took part and helped ensure this was a huge success.

"I was born into a farming family myself and have spent much of my career working in and with rural communities, so understand the challenges that are faced by an industry that is so important to the UK economy.

"Farmers can be extremely resilient but also need help to create healthy farming communities, which is why the support provided from RABI is essential."

Funds raised will help support RABI's work in providing confidential financial support, guidance and practical care to farmers, farmworkers, partners and dependants.

Money will also help support two new counselling and mental health training services, launched in response to a survey which found a third of the farming community are probably or possibly depressed.

Key findings from RABI’s ‘Big Farming Survey 2021:

• 36% of the farming community are probably or possibly depressed

• over one-half of women (58%) in agriculture experience mild, moderate or severe anxiety

• The most commonly reported sources of stress are: regulation, compliance and inspection, Covid-19, bad/unpredictable weather, loss of subsides/future trade deals

• over half (52%) experience pain and discomfort, one in four have mobility problems and 21% have problems in undertaking usual tasks due to health issues

• 59% of respondents believe their farming business is viable over the next five years

Suzy Deeley, RABI head of partnerships, said: “The support that we receive from companies such as Newton LDP enables us to continue to provide our services to the farming community throughout England and Wales, so we're really thankful to them and all of the fundraisers who took part.”

The Newton Cup was won by Adalta Real, with Three Shires Trailers gaining the runner’s up position.