Never too busy to be a good friend…
Never too busy to be a good friend…
FARM Womens Club member Ann Swift may be extremely busy – but shes never too busy to be a good friend to anyone who crosses her path.
She is a special-needs teacher and one of her ex-pupils is Matthew Metcalfe, a delightful young man who sees and treats life as a challenge.
They first met in 1978 when he was seven years old and Anns own children, Pam and Tommy, were of a similar age.
Every year Ann organises a London theatre trip for the FWC and, since 1988, Matthew has come along and enjoyed shows such as Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables. This year the trip was to the King and I, a visit held just before the foot-and-mouth crisis forced the cancellation of FWC events – like so many others around the country.
Matthew has an amazing memory and knowledge of 1960s music, I could have talked to him for hours but sadly he, Ann and the other members from Worcester had a train to catch. Maybe one day we will pick up where we left off discussing the pop music of my misspent youth.
When asked what the height of luxury is to her, Ann replied: "I love the rare freedom of an unstructured day and someone else to cook on the farm would be heaven."
Ann has been an enthusiastic Farm Womens Club member in Worcestershire since the late seventies.
She farms alongside her husband, Tom, at Old Leys Farm, Mount Pleasant, near Broadway on 104ha (257 acres) where they grow wheat for milling and feed as well as winter beans.
When they moved to the area from the Staffordshire/ Shropshire borders they knew nobody, but a neighbour took Ann along to a FWC meeting and since then they have felt a sense of belonging.
She says the great companionship, acceptance and support of the club continues to nurture farmwomen and she has made many friends throughout the country. Membership of FWC leaves each member able to join in as many or as few activities as they wish.
Details from Jean on 0208 652 4927.