FARMING Community Network Devon celebrated 20 years of working in the county with a Thanksgiving Service held at St Leonard’s Church, Topsham Road, Exeter.

The Rt Rev Mark Rylands, Bishop of Shrewsbury, was the speaker and Devon volunteers with the charity outlined its work in the county during the last 20 years.

This was followed by a two-course buffet supper.

Joanne Jones, the Devon co-ordinator, explained that FCN started out as Farm Crisis Network back in 1995 in response to high rates of depression and suicide in the farming industry.

She explained: “Farming has continued to face many pressures over that time: BSE, Foot and Mouth, Blue Tongue, Schmallenburg, falling prices, extremes of weather and the ever-present TB.

“Throughout this time, FCN has offered both pastoral and practical help to those in need, whether the issue relates to the farm, business, family or is health related.”

She added: “The change of name reflected the shift to the organisation becoming more proactive - wanting people to come forward sooner with their concerns and not waiting for things to reach crisis point.

“To date we have helped more than 1,250 farming families in Devon!

“This has included things such as going to meetings with bank managers, tenancy issues, family mediation, succession planning, hospital visits, docking lambs, TB testing, befriending, SPS and BCMS problems and much, much more.

“Unfortunately farming still has the highest rate of depression, suicide and accidents for any occupation in the UK, and we are needed as much as ever.

“This year we are working towards becoming a Dementia friendly organisation and are taking part in a research project with Plymouth University looking at the effect of dementia in farming.

“We continue to forge close links with YFC’s to start to change the perception in the next generation that asking for help is a sign of weakness.

“We will be offering further health checks for farmers around the County and continue to operate a Market Chaplaincy at Exeter every Friday, whilst working closely with teams who operate in other markets.

“We also continue to provide free CPR training following the installation of a defibrillator at Exeter.

“Our national Helpline is open every day of the year from 7am - 11pm on 03000 111 999 or you can email: [email protected] .”

Proceeds from the evening, after expenses, are to be donated to the Exeter Diocesan Fund, which supports the rural community in Devon.

Alan Quick