Storm Eunice arrived at the end of the week creating havoc, accompanied by wind speeds of up to 122mph. Fortunately on Manor Farm there was very little damage ,a few roof sheets were ripped from a barn and some trees in the adjacent wood were uprooted or lost branches.

Kevin strengthened the vulnerable end of his six polytunnels by parking a heavy piece of machinery on the west-facing end, then he attached some ratchet straps from it to some well anchored metalwork on the tunnel. However, the pregnant ewes carrying twin lambs escaped from their barn when the wind caused a chain to come undone as the bolt holding it in place severed. They escaped into one of our fields next door and much to their delight collies Smudge and Star were called to help return them to their barn.

During the week the young lambs ,with their mothers in polytunnels two to five were given their first vaccination to protect them from a number of clostridial diseases. For a few weeks, following their birth, the young lambs have antibody protection obtained from their mothers' milk. This post natal milk, especially rich in nutrients, is called colostrum and also contains antibodies to protect the newborn lambs from environmental diseases. It is vital that every lamb has colostrum within a few hours of birth, as after this time the antibodies cannot be absorbed. While the ewes and lambs were penned, any ewes needing attention to their feet were examined and given appropriate treatment. In most cases this just involved a careful trim of their hooves.

Last weekend Natasha and Annabel were members of teams competing in an area 9 inter branch Pony Club show jumping competition at Hartpury. Both had clear rounds, Natasha in the 90cm class and Annabel in the metre class. Natasha's team were 4th and Annabel' s 1st. Well done to all those in the Beaufort PC teams.

I recently attended a meeting organised by our local National Farmers Union. It was held at the newly located Tallis Amos Group premises near Kemble. TAG has been in business for 100 years, during which time it has merged with other companies to form a large business. It has four branches covering the Cotswolds, W Midlands, to West Wales and some of the South West. They offer many courses, from machinery operator to health and safety, in partnership with TAG franchises. This includes telehandlers, forklifts, wheeled loaders, tractors, commercial mowers, chain saws, ATV and utility vehicles. They are also approved to conduct national sprayer and spreader tests as well as Tilly Pass Trailer Tests.

Over the past few months the NFU Mutual has been working with Tilly Pass to ensure trailer owners meet their legal obligations. We were spoken to by the farmer who set up Tilly Pass after losing her son in an accident involving a trailer with faulty brakes. Trailers are not subject to an annual MOT, but they must be roadworthy. Tilly Pass involves an 18 point annual inspection carried out on farms by a qualified engineer. Once a certificate has been awarded the inspection details are held on a database and a Tilly Pass displayed on the tailgate of the trailer. Trailers include any trailed items, even muck spreaders. All trailer owners have a duty of care. Information on trailer safety can be found on Head to Tow Trailer Safety App @tillypass.co.uk.