THE West Midlands Branch of the Women's Farming Union celebrated its 25th anniversary last month with a dinner at Deer Park Hall, Bredon.

It was a special reunion for many past members and supporters, bringing them together with those most active in the organisation today.

The West Midlands Branch was formed in 1980, a year after the national organisation was launched. Their prime aim is to link the producer and the consumer, the farmer and the shopper. Their informal approach has enabled them to achieve a positive influence far beyond what one might expect on a shoe-string budget.

At their 15th AGM in 1995, in her review of the previous year, chairman Liz Hodges estimated that members had demonstrated the excellence of British food to well over 300,000 people by their presence at shows such as the Town and Country Festival, the Royal and Three Counties shows, as well as giving talks to groups as diverse as WI's and meeting Japanese agricultural advisers. With much misinformation surrounding the methods of food production, its availability and nutritional values, the presence of the Women's Farming Union had ensured that both producers and consumers could be presented with balanced facts. The national chairman, Meg Stroude, said that the WFU were regularly consulted by government on issues of the day.

At their recent celebration dinner, their national president, Gillian Van der Mera from West Sussex, stressed the continuing need for the work of the WFU, more than ever with so many sweeping changes within the agricultural industry. The present focus on food quality and healthy diets and more searching questions on methods of production and processing, including concern for animal welfare must enhance the appreciation of British food and local sourcing.

n On a personal note, I have enjoyed contributing my Saturday farming page ever since the Country News supplement was introduced in June 2002.

However, at the age of 81, I have decided it is time to give up the weekly commitment which has extended to 22 years. I started writing for Berrow's Worcester Journal in 1983, a few months before I retired from ADAS as senior agricultural adviser.

I have enjoyed this change of occupation, enabling me to continue my involvement with Worcestershire farming life, including Young Farmers and the NFU, The Three Counties Show and the Grassland Society.

I was also invited to join the Guild of Agricultural Journalists Midlands Branch and later to serve on the Guild Council which meets at the Farmers Club in Whitehall.

All this I owe to "The World's Oldest Newspaper" and the encouragement of so many in the world of agriculture. Thank you.