Farm charity to mark 25 years of support across the dale

AN upper dale farming charity is planning a raft of monthly events to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

The largely unseen work of Utass (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services) began in 1993, and progressed over the following years to offer support to rural farmers with such things as complex government forms and paper work, providing training and offering advice.

Starting this month with a Friends of Utass draw, the charity plans 12 events through the year to mark its quarter century.

Emma Spry, of Utass, said February would see the launch of a range of greeting cards.

Companies are being invited to sponsor designs of a greeting card for £45 which would entitle them to a full colour advert on the back of the cards.

Mrs Spry said: “The photographs will come from those we have been sent in by members for calendars because in the four years we’ve been putting the calendars together some the photographs have been really spectacular.”

A photography competition is planned for March with the winning pictures being selected for the next year’s Utass calendar.

Events to follow also include a fundraising event, a 25th anniversary sheep shearing training session and competition and a wide range of social events.

Mrs Spry said: “In June we will have a celebration of volunteers event to coincide with Volunteers Week.”

In October people will be invited to join the Utass Theatre Club on a trip Sunderland Empire to see Miss Saigon. The club was started with just a handful of people and has already grown significantly.

November sees the launch of the Utass calendar and Christmas card featuring photographs from the competition in March as well as the annual Christmas fair.

This will be the sixth staging of the Christmas Fair at the auction mart.

Ms Spry said: “We had over 55 stalls last year, which is the most we have ever had. We had 12 at our first one so it has grown to over 50 in five years.

“This year stallholders will have to provide their own tables because the logistics of moving the tables has become too much. It will also depend on the goodwill of volunteers helping out again.”

The services offered by Utass have won the praise – and financial support – of Prince Charles and his charity.

The royal has visited the base in Middleton-in-Teesdale several times. For more information about the anniversary year contact Utass on 01833 641010.