AGRICULTURAL CHAPLAINCY TEAM

Churches Together in Cheshire.

Lead - Keith Ineson

A BIT ABOUT ME

The world of the farmers and farming in general is not strange to me. I was born and brought up in the country. I know at first hand some of the problems of living and working in the countryside and understand country ways. I am familiar with the problems as well as the joys and fulfilment that country life brings. I was raised in the Derbyshire hills where we had a small hill farm. On moving to Cheshire we had various small farms. I know from bitter experience that a careless remark by a politician can lead to the loss of a poultry farm!

WHY DID I BECOME AN AGRICULTURAL CHAPLAIN?

I feel a concern for those who are suffering so much as a result of what is happening in the countryside at present. The threat to our way of life has never been as great as it is now and I desperately want to help; to make a difference.

Shortly after the problems with the poultry farm my father suffered a series of strokes and became terminally ill. I saw this very clever and capable man reduced to total dependency on others and I realised I wanted something more in life than I had.

With the approval and support of my family I took semi-retirement as a step towards a change of direction in my life. As a result of this I came into contact with Agricultural Chaplains and when there was an article in “Country Way” about Agricultural Chaplaincies I decided to explore this area of work. There I found a coming together of two worlds which mean so much to me.

A PROGRESS REPORT TO DATE     
In 2000 I was appointed by the Salvation Army as their only full-time agricultural chaplain. On taking up my appointment I spent the first twelve months going from farm to farm introducing myself and building contacts with other help agencies. I’m happy to say that I was well received and gradually a pattern started to emerge. Time after time farmers said to me that they had callers to check on the VAT, animal welfare, health and safety and so on but that I was the first person who had called to see how they were. I began to realise just how isolated and beleaguered many farmers felt.

THEN CAME FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE!
With the advent of foot and mouth disease the farming world was turned upside down – and so was my life. Publicity started and I carried out numerous television, radio and newspaper interviews. The calls flooded in and I found myself snowed under with work. I was dealing with farmers from around the country. Working closely with the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and the ARC Addington Fund I was instrumental in arranging immediate financial help for about 250 farmers. In addition we were able to check that all State Benefits which were due were being claimed. The Citizens Advice Bureau was extremely helpful in this respect.

THEN CAME CHESHIRE FARM CRISIS NETWORK
Just as I was about to go under from the pressure of work, Farm Crisis Network, www.farmcrisisnetwork.org.uk , a Christian organisation of befrienders for the farming community, came to see if I would help set up a group in Cheshire. This spread the load enormously and the Cheshire group is made up of very capable and caring people working hard to help the farming community in Cheshire and their expertise and enthusiasm is a huge support to me personally. Nationally, Farm Crisis Network provides a framework to supply training, expert help and mutual support; all of which is invaluable to those working to help the farming community. 

THE WORK DEVELOPED

Over the five years of the chaplaincy the chaplaincy has developed considerably. I have found that I am working closely not only with Farm Crisis Network but also with various other charities, individuals and help agencies such as:-

Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI)
RABI has trained welfare officers throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland to provide advice and care. Financial support is given to those retired from or working in the farming industry suffering need, hardship or distress. RABI runs two residential homes (in Suffolk and Somerset) and also offers respite care and holidays for beneficiaries.

ARC – Addington Fund
The ARC-Addington Fund runs a Strategic Rural Housing Scheme for those leaving a non-viable rural business, to allow people to exit their business with dignity and to enable them to remain living in their community.

The churches and I prove that ecumenism is alive and well and working in Cheshire. I’m pleased to say that we work closely together providing help across the denominations.

THEN CAME “CHRISTIAN FARMERS TOGETHER”

In 2004 we started a group especially for Christian farmers, Christian Farmers Together. From a small start, this is now flourishing with regular social events as well as instructive and faith – based events.

THEN CAME THE GAY FARMERS HELPLINE

Over the course of 3 – 4 years I found that I worked with a small number of farmers who were gay. Their sexuality was causing great concern for them – even more so than if they had been in "ordinary" occupations.  New cases are still coming in at the average of 1.5 per week. 146 individuals have so far accessed the service.
Since then I have had some new volunteers come on board and there are now five of us manning the helpline.
When giving presentations to groups such as Rotary clubs talking about the gay helpline seems to give people permission to talk about either themselves or people they know.

The gay helpline is unique and has helped keep the whole chaplaincy viable.

THE FUTURE

As the chaplaincy takes on a new look under the umbrella of Churches Together in Cheshire the future looks good. I shall be working more closely with Primary Care Trusts in addition to continuing my work with other agencies. The workload continues to expand and so does the profile of the chaplaincy and its work. I regularly conduct services across the denominations and my relationship continues to develop with various farming organisations such as National Farmers Union, Cheshire Agricultural Society and Nantwich Agricultural Society.

SO WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?

I am available as a listening ear, in total confidence and don’t forget that I also have connections with other helping agencies to provide practical support.

If you feel I can be of use to you or someone you are concerned about please contact me.

I am also available to conduct services should you wish as well as giving……….

….RETREAT DAYS OR SHORT COURSES.

Over the past few years I have given several retreat days as well as courses spread over several weeks such as Lent Courses. These vary in theme and can be tailored to suit your needs. In the past these have been on various ways of praying, seeing God in everyday objects, learning to be still and aware of God and the use of great works of art to teach us about God. Talk to me if you are interested.