The importance of the farming community in Suffolk has been highlighted at a special event attended by thousands of people. The 10,500 acre Euston Hall estate in west Suffolk hosted Open Farm Sunday, a national initiative designed to stress the value of farmers in local communities.
The event was attended by the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Rt Rev Dr Joanne Woolway Grenfell, on June 7.
She said prayers for the vintage tractor run featuring more than 50 vehicles, drawing upon a Suffolk blessing that she wrote for her enthronement service.
Bishop Joanne said: “I was recently at the Suffolk Show where I gained a greater insight into the value of farming, the creation of countryside jobs and the role played by so many people in Suffolk in bringing food to our plate, while often working long hours in difficult weather conditions. Open Farm Sunday enhanced my understanding through meeting more members of the farming community and learning about the local traditions, our farming heritage and how it is evolving to tackle the impact of a changing climate. I was delighted to say prayers, take time to admire a wide range of lovingly restored tractors and meet with the Duke and Duchess of Grafton.”
Euston Hall has been home to the Dukes of Grafton for more than 350 years and Bishop Joanne added: “The estate is a fascinating thriving agricultural haven dedicated to sustainable and environmentally conscious farming practices. Large or small, our farms play such an important role in the stewardship of our beautiful Suffolk countryside and providing food for us all.”
There were tractor and trailer rides around the estate, offering families the opportunity to meet farm animals and learn more about life on the farm, with machinery also on display.
Bishop Joanne also visited the flower festival at St Genevieve’s Church on the estate where she met the vicar, Rev Dr Karen Burton, and heard about the church’s 350th anniversary. The flower festival took inspiration from the history and legacy of the FitzRoy family and the Dukes of Grafton, with displays reflecting their enduring connection to the estate. The tractor run raised money for the Orchid men’s cancer charity.