A newly established social group for retired and semi-retired farmers in Ayrshire is off to a flying start.
Around 35 turned out to the inaugural meeting of ‘Still Ploughing On’ at Morriston Farm, Maidens in South Ayrshire.
The event was hosted by Lord David Kennedy, who gave the group an insight into his farming operation, his farm machinery and his collection of vintage and classic cars and motorcycles before going for lunch at Kirkoswald Church Hall.
Organised by NFU Scotland, Rev. Chris Blackshaw of Ayr Farming Support and the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI), the plan is to encourage retired and semi-retired farmers to meet up every quarter for a social together, with the next meeting already being planned for the summer.
Christine Cuthbertson, regional manager in Ayrshire for NFU Scotland said: “We are delighted that people wanted to come along today to be part of this group.
We wanted to do something for the retired and semi-retired farmers and they seem to have really enjoyed themselves so it has been a great success.
“Being from a farming family myself, I know that farmers and agricultural workers never really retire as farming is more of a way of life rather than a nine-to-five job.
“If you are not so fit to be physically active on the farm, it can become quite isolating, especially if you can’t get out and about as much as you used to.”
