The Bishop of Ramsbury, Stephen Conway, will spend today (5th June) meeting local farmers to hear about the reality of agricultural life in his area of the Diocese of the Salisbury.

Bishop Stephen took the initiative to arrange the day himself aware as he is of how important the land is to so many people in this region.

Revd Gerald Osborne, 44, who has been a farmer for twenty years and is also an ordained local minister, said that the day would act as a great boost to the local farmers.

‘I have arranged for Bishop Stephen to see as wide a cross-section of farmers as possible and he should gain insights many issues and concerns,’ said Gerald today.

The farms, all around the Pewsey area of North Wiltshire, include Tom Maidment’s huge diary farm (he has around 400 cows) whilst Richard Butler, also a farmer in the area, will be able to talk about the arable and beef mix which he farms.

Charles Bowermann’s farm will also be visited by Bishop Stephen where sheep and cows are both farmed. Gerald himself will be able to give Bishop Stephen an insight into organic farming: he produces fresh, organic eggs for Waitrose.

‘The farmers will certainly be pleased that the Bishop has arranged this himself and that he wants to find out what it is really like to work in farming today,’ said Gerald this morning.

Item from: The Diocese of Salisbury