Two concerts held to raise money to help farmers hit by last year’s devastating snow, raised a total of £18,534.
The money was handed over to the Isle of Man Agricultural Benevolent Trust at the Isle of Man Bank in Douglas.
The trust will use it to replenish funds set aside to help farmers after weeks of snow last year caused massive loss of livestock and extensive damage to farm buildings and equipment.
With much more work needed to help the agricultural industry’s recovery, it is a huge boost.
The concerts – performed by the Isle of Man Federation of Young Farmers at the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, in October – were organised by Angela Southern, a former Young Farmer herself.
She thanked Isle of Man Bank and NFU Mutual for sponsoring the shows and said: ‘I wanted to do something to help after the snow, so I thought about getting past and present Young Farmers together to put on a concert for two nights.’
Packed houses enjoyed the concerts, said Angela, while performers relished the chance to go on stage without the competitive element that accompanies the annual Young Farmers’ concerts.
‘This time they all joined together – it was a good laugh for everyone, both back stage and up front,’ she said.
The Isle of Man Agricultural Benevolent Trust was set up as a charity 18 years ago to assist members of the agricultural community in need.
Treasurer Charles Fargher said: ‘As a result of the snow in March last year, we have had an amazing response from the public and we raised a considerable amount of money that has been distributed to people in the farming community who suffered as a result of the exceptional snow. This additional amount will go into our snow fund.’
Trust secretary Jonathan Corlett said the impact of last year’s extreme weather was still being felt in the farming community.
‘The losses were devastating,’ he said. ‘We lost 10 per cent of our breeding flock and you don’t just replace those sheep overnight. Of course the sales from the livestock are missing now. The effect will be continuing for quite a while yet.’
Isle of Man Bank held collections in aid of farmers in its branches last year and, together with the bank’s contribution, raised £9,500 for the trust.
John Lindon, head of community investment for the Isle of Man Bank said: ‘Farming and heritage is one of our focus areas of community support. Year on year, we sponsor various activities in the farming community, including the regular Young Farmers’ concerts, Farm Conservation Awards and support for the agricultural shows.’
Pictured: Isle of Man Agricultural Benevolent Trust secretary Jonathan Corlett, Isle of Man Bank Regent Street branch manager Stephen Radcliffe, concert organiser Angela Southern, Isle of Man Bank head of community investment, John Lindon, and trust treasurer Charles Fargher