Trudy's Whitehaven News column from November 2, 2022:
I’d like to use my Whitehaven News column this month to announce a series of events I am holding for members of the local farming community.
The evening gatherings will take place in venues across the constituency and will give me the chance to share the latest information and updates relating to grants and projects in the industry, and will also offer the opportunity for farmers to share ideas and suggestions with myself and one another.
The series of four events will begin later this month and continue early into the New Year in venues in South Copeland, Mid Copeland, North Copeland and in Keswick.
Farming is the backbone of so many of our communities and there is no industry like farming for the level of passion, experience and knowledge that exists that has, in many cases, been passed down through generations.
It was my pleasure recently to welcome join two Copeland farmers – Robert Morris-Eyton and Kevin Holliday – at a reception at 10 Downing Street to celebrate British lamb.
The reception was held to celebrate the occasion of the first lamb export to the United States in over two decades, and it was wonderful to be joined by Robert, of Beckside Farm in the Whicham Valley, and Kevin, of Strudda Bank Farm, Calderbridge – who was joined by his daughter Vicky Slater for the Westminster visit – to mark the milestone occasion and to help raise the profile of Copeland’s farming industry.
Lamb produced in the UK – and right here in Copeland – is world-renowned and this represents a tremendous opportunity by opening up access for our farmers to a significant market of American consumers.
Please monitor my website (www.trudyharrison.co.uk) and Facebook page (@trudyharrisonforcopeland) as details of dates and locations of the farming events will be announced soon.
In the meantime, my regular constituency surgeries continue this Saturday in Eskdale, and the first Saturday in every month. My team and I work hard every day to support constituents with any issues you may have; responding to large volumes of correspondence each week – up to 150 emails and around 50 phone calls – with requests for support and guidance.
So please don’t hesitate to contact me on 01229 718333 or [email protected] and we will do everything we can to support you.
