THE Yorkshire group of the Farming Community Network (FCN) has opened its annual Silent Auction with 50 Lots.

They include lessons in hedge laying, garden design, fly fishing and dry stone walling; choices of food hampers, cream teas, Christmas cakes, and a wide range of game and poultry. There are also guided tours round places of interest and the offer of a tax consultancy session.

Local FCN volunteers have organised the auction for a number of years to raise funds for the charity which offers support to farmers and farming families at times of difficulties, problems and stress - whether the problem stems from the farm business or from within the family.

A catalogue of all the lots, plus instructions on how to submit bids, is on the FCN website at fcn.org.uk or by e-mailing fcnyorkshire@btinternet.com or from Helen Benson on 01677 470 180.

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DAVID Downie has been appointed chief executive Officer of Agrii.

He grew up on the family farm near Stranraer and graduated from Newcastle University with a BSc Hons in Agriculture in 1987. He has held a number of senior management roles including with Asda in Yorkshire and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

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KATHRYN Dewhurst has been appointed area sales manager for Scotland and the North of England by Strathclyde Nutrition Limited.

Based in Lancashire, she will promote and provide technical advice to support the company's range of specialist products including Energyze feed licks, Nutrilick mineral licks, Superblock feed blocks and Maxammon grain treatment.

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