Farming people in their more senior years are being invited to a “Ploughing on” Festive Lunch, hosted by Strathmore Estates at Glamis Castle, on December 17. Tickets can be booked here.
People of retirement age who have worked in agriculture – farmers, farm workers and others – will be treated to a complimentary Christmas lunch as part of a new RSABI initiative to get behind the much-valued members of the agricultural community in their senior years.
As part of the event, those who attend will be asked for their thoughts and ideas on the pilot ‘Ploughing On’ initiative which RSABI would like to trial in Angus before hopefully rolling out across the country, subject to funding.
The concept has been tried in the south-west of Scotland and proved very successful in Northern Ireland where events, talks and trips are arranged so that retirement-age farming folk can enjoy getting out and about and share thoughts and memories as well as airing any worries or concerns they may have.
The initiative is being developed as part of RSABI’s #KeepTalking campaign to encourage people in Scottish agriculture to look after their own emotional wellbeing and to look out for others who may be feeling low or lonely.
“We know that there are lots of more senior members of the farming community who would love to get out and about more and particularly to spend time with other like-minded farming folk,” said Carol McLaren, CEO of RSABI.
“So we are delighted to be offering this opportunity for retirement-age people in Angus, and the surrounding area, to get together and give us their thoughts and ideas about what would work well for them as we get the ‘Ploughing on’ initiative underway.
“Strathmore Estate is a member of our Supporters’ Scheme and we are delighted to be working with them on this special inaugural event.”
Tickets for the Festive ‘Ploughing on’ lunch at Glamis Castle on December 17th are free of charge but must be obtained in advance and will be subject to availability. Tickets can be booked via Eventbrite.
Strathmore Estate will kindly be displaying a range of farm machinery near the entrance to Glamis Castle for the ‘Ploughing on’ visitors to enjoy and members of the Estate staff will be joining the Festive lunch.
Strathmore Estate Director, Andrew Brough, will also welcome the visitors and say a few words about the Estate, as part of the event.
“The Strathmore Estate team are looking forward to joining RSABI to welcome our visitors to Glamis Castle on December 17th for what promises to be a wonderful event celebrating farming and the festive season. We will give an insight into the workings and history of the estate and the catering team are looking forward to serving a fabulous Christmas lunch,” said Mr Brough.
RSABI offers free practical, financial, and emotional support including counselling services, delivered quickly after receiving the initial enquiry. Its free confidential support service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, by calling 0808 1234 555 (calls won’t show up on phone bills) or through a confidential webchat service, available on RSABI’s website www.rsabi.org.uk.
Pictured: From left: Karen Stewart, RSABI Trainee Trustee, Andrew Brough, Estate Director, Strathmore Estate, Steven Cumming, General Manager, Glamis Castle and Carol McLaren, CEO, RSABI