Farm Stay UK members in Yorkshire are staging their annual charity fundraiser on Friday, 6 September.

As in 2018, it will again be hosted by Lindsey and Will Hitchen at St George’s Court B&B in High Grantley, Ripon. They are long-standing members of Farm Stay UK, which remains the country’s largest network of farm-based accommodation providers.

This year there’s a slightly different format to past ‘Farmhouse Big Breakfast’ fundraisers, with an afternoon tea being served up between 2.30 and 4.30pm, followed by an evening session from 7.30pm.

Singer/songwriter Chris Berry ©The Craven Herald

This will feature a BBQ and entertainment from well-known Yorkshire singer-songwriter and rural affairs journalist, Chris Berry of the Yorkshire Post and Farming in Yorkshire. He was previously a keynote member of ‘The Singing Farmers', who performed their farewell tour in 2016 and is now in high demand as a solo performer.

As in past years, proceeds are in aid of both the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Addington Fund. The 2018 fundraiser netted almost £9,000 and, over the years, Farm Stay UK members, joined by other farm-based accommodation providers from across the region, have raised around £40,000 for the two charities.

Past staunch supporters Barclays Bank’s agricultural division have again agreed to sponsor the event, while other keynote sponsors include Yorkshire Accountants in Ripon, Bleikers Smokehouse, Ian Taylor Eggs, Millers Food Service, Lishman’s Butchers of Ilkley, Morrisons Supermarkets and Rhoddas.

Tickets, priced at £15 – just a limited number remain available – can be booked and paid for in advance by calling Lindsey Hitchen on 01765 620618, or by emailing info@stgeorgescourt.co.uk