Back in November, a small number of South West members were privileged to attend a fund raising event organised by Ben Wightman ( BIAC member for many years) in aid of the very hardworking charities that support Agriculture in hard times...The Farming Community Network , The Addington Fund and The R A B I .
Ben has volunteered and worked hard for the Farming Community Network for a number of years and has had the help and support of several south west members in this endeavour.
The evening was a black tie dinner in the lovely surroundings of The Exchange at Sturminster Newton and the main event was an Auction of Promises hosted by Andrew Robinson ,a local and very well-known Auctioneer . More than 180 guests attended , friends and business contacts of Ben's and their friends and colleagues.
Ben and his helpers had put together more than 40 Promises to be bid for , a completely eclectic range of interesting lots including simple things like a complete car wash (we all need that ) , lots of food items/hampers/wine, two lots of lamb for consumption and one working Ram !!. Then there were meals /days out and holiday weeks in Cyprus and France. France made the most money !! and numerous other exciting items.
The atmosphere of the evening was extremely special as more than 180 people had come together to have fun, raise money and pay tribute to a person who has given all his working life to farming and agriculture . Those of us who attended were really moved by the occasion and inspired by what was achieved a truly memorable evening.
At the end of the event ,Ben was able to say that the total raised during the evening together with donations that he had received amounted to over £14,000 and we are very pleased to report that figure has increased to over £15,000.
A truly wonderful result and a very great tribute to Ben Wightman as perhaps he now does a bit more sailing !!