Priti with Tom Stentiford, a supportive volunteer at Lauriston Farm, who presented her with a sheep’s wool handbag, which he made for her himself, in the Farm’s workshop.
Priti Patel gets a tour of social farm following £10,000 National Lottery grant for improved facilities
During a busy afternoon in the constituency, Witham MP Priti Patel, took time out to call into Lauriston Farm, on the Blackwater Estuary near Goldhanger. The Farm is a charitable, community owned social farming business and works with people who have learning disabilities. The Farm is a safe environment in which everyone can help to grow vegetables, raise cattle and sheep, as well as see and look after wildlife.
The £10,000 National Lottery Community Fund grant, which they received earlier this year, has already helped them to create and host educational farm walks and plans are also in hand for a major update of the Farm’s kitchen facilities. Over the last five years, The National Lottery Community Fund has distributed almost £800,000 in grants to support charities and community groups in Witham.
Speaking after her tour of the Farm, accompanied by National Lottery Community Fund Chair, Blondel Cluff, Priti said: “Lauriston Farm is doing some wonderful, inspirational work in caring for an internationally important wildlife habitat as well as improving the lives of people with learning disabilities, giving them opportunities to enjoy activities that many of us might take for granted but to them are absolutely huge. It was a pleasure to learn first-hand all about the great things they do here and to see that the grant the Farm has received from the Lottery’s Community Fund is being put to good use.
“The Farm is doing all this excellent work and is also a genuine business supplying fresh biodynamic vegetables from their own fields to markets and local customers and producing rare breed lamb, mutton and beef. It is a very impressive operation socially, environmentally and economically.”
Spencer Christy, Farm Director said: “It was pleasure to show Priti over the Farm, to talk her through what we are doing here and to introduce her to some of our team. Priti’s enthusiasm for our work was obvious and we greatly appreciate her interest. Being in touch with key local stakeholders is very important for us, going forward.”
Blondel Cluff CBE, Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “It was a pleasure to join Priti Patel at Lauriston Farm to see the positive impact our funding is having in her constituency. Over £30 million is raised for good causes each week by National Lottery players – their generosity enables inspirational projects like Lauriston Farm to support local people, helping them to prosper and thrive.”
Image Gallery
Priti Patel MP with Blondel Cluff CBE, Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund, during the tour of Lauriston Farm.
Priti with Tom Stentiford, a supportive volunteer at Lauriston Farm, who presented her with a sheep’s wool handbag, which he made for her himself, in the Farm’s workshop.
Priti with Lauriston Farm director, Spencer Christy, during her tour on Saturday (30th October).