Concerns need addressing for local flood plan, says Philip Bradshaw
The last sugar beet has been lifted here, and we are now cultivating the land and drilling with wheat.
The mainly dry weather allowed a remarkably clean harvesting – carting and clamping of the beet was done by contractor Graham Fowler’s efficient harvesting team. The few millimetres of rain later that day delayed drilling for 24 hours, but left nice conditions for establishing the next crop.
Earlier drilled wheat is now looking better, with almost all fully established, and we are progressing well with ploughing for next year’s spring crops, and the autumn crop treatment programme.
With Cambridgeshire still officially suffering a drought, it is easy to forget the wetter seasons and associated flooding that the low lying fens around here can suffer from.
For this reason, I was interested at a recent local drainage board meeting to hear outline plans from the Environment Agency for a spillway to be created on the banks of the local river Nene floodplain/reservoir. It is clear that the whole country has to take flood risk seriously, and the flood management has to be an important issue.
However, on this occasion there are very real local and regional concerns that have to be addressed, which will need more information than we currently have, and a full public meeting to discuss the plans.
This week marks the end of an era for the farming fraternity of Peterborough. After 40 years of dedicated and loyal service, the Peterborough NFU group secretary, Stuart Bish is retiring.
Stuart has been an important asset to all involved with farming and the countryside during these years, and has been incredibly hard working on many levels, for so many people.
While he will undoubtedly continue to be involved with related projects and promoting the industry, I would like to thank him for his tireless work and enthusiasm, and wish him a long and happy retirement.
