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October 20, 2025

Celebrating the harvest at Westminster Abbey

During the service Westminster Abbey was decorated with displays of British produce and filled with over 2,000 guests, including charity volunteers.

The Order of Service included a written message of support from His Majesty The King, in which he said: “Celebrating the harvest by gathering together to give thanks for the food from the land is something that is shared by communities all over the world and I am so delighted that this tradition is continuing with a National Harvest Service in a different part of the country every Autumn. As you honour that tradition here today, may it be an opportunity to reflect anew on the refrain from that great harvest-tide hymn: ‘All good gifts around us are sent from heav‘n above; Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, for all His love.”

The service included readings from Charles Dance OBE; Matt Baker MBE; Simon Armitage, the Poet Laureate; and Charlotte Hill OBE, CEO of The Felix Project. The Harvest Torch was carried by Tom Bradshaw, President of the National Farmers’ Union.

Helen Day, the RCF’s Governance Manager, represented the charity at the service and we would like to extend our thanks to Alexia Robinson, Founder and CEO of Love British Food. We are very proud to have been included in this special occasion along with many of our partners, funders and trustees.

In a message in the Order of Service, Alexia Robinson, founder of Love British Food and organiser of the Harvest Service, said:“Harvest festivals have long played a role in bringing communities together to give thanks for the abundance of food we enjoy from Britain’s beautiful countryside while recognising the importance of sharing food with those who do not have enough. It is a tradition that continues to flourish in other countries, but in Britain it is no longer as established a part of our national calendar as it used to be. We hope that today’s service at Westminster Abbey will help continue this joyous tradition.”

The National Harvest Service was inaugurated at Westminster Abbey in 2013 by Her Majesty The Queen, then Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, as part of  Love British Food’s campaign to rekindle the tradition of celebrating the Harvest. Every year since then, the celebration has been marked in different regions across the country.

The full Order of Service is available to read here.

October 1, 2025

Bringing together rural community organisations from across Cumbria and Northumberland

The event, held at the Rheged Centre in Cumbria, was designed to allow these organisations from across the two counties to feedback on their work so far and find new ways to work together.

In February 2025, the RCF announced that it would be providing £387,000 of funding to 16 rural communities across Cumbria and Northumberland, in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund. This funding is part of the RCF’s first county-based programme, targeting rural organisations which have the potential to ‘power up, not prop up’ their communities.

During the morning session, attendees worked through a series of workshop activities to provide detailed feedback on their experiences so far this year, outline the challenges they’ve faced, and ultimately drive the future of the RCF’s support in Cumbria and Northumberland.

In the afternoon, attendees gathered to hear from Cumbria’s Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Lord Inglewood, and receive progress reports from several of those present.

Lynn Barnes, Director of Vista Veg, spoke about the impact of the funding the organisation has received and how trainee food growers have benefited from the programme.

Ryan Dobson, Nature Reserve Manager, and Belinda Lloyd, Habitats and Estates Team Leader, at Watchtree Nature Reserve, spoke about the powerful impact of their project on the local community and the benefits it provides, particularly to those with accessibility requirements.

Finally, Belinda Fairbairn, Project Development Manager at NICRE (National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise), gave an update on the RCF’s ongoing project to build the capacity of rural community organisations in Northumberland, particularly in harder-to-reach areas.

Speaking after the event, Keith Halstead, Executive Director, RCF, said: “The place-based support we are providing in Cumbria and Northumberland is all about working with community-led organisations made up of local people who understand their local conditions and can find solutions that are right for them. It was very inspiring for the RCF to use its convening power to bring together individuals from these organisations to hear how much work has been done so far this year and all the people who have benefitted from these projects.

“Running face-to-face events like this is also an important part of the RCF’s role and a crucial way for us to measure our charitable impact. It’s fantastic to see that our joint funding programme with The National Lottery Community Fund is working to help these groups deliver their vital day-to-day work, but also to make new connections and build their capacity for the years to come.

“We’re incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for their support in this new partnership and we want to extend our thanks to National Lottery players, for helping to fund these amazing community-led projects in rural areas across the two counties.”

Following the event at Rheged, some of the RCF team travelled to the ‘Sunny Bank’ market garden, which has been created by Vista Veg over the course of this year.

In February 2025, Vista Veg was awarded £29,960 by the RCF. As well as funding the creation of the Sunny Bank market garden, the RCF support has allowed Vista Veg to deliver training for new entrant food growers, organise community open days and school visits.

During the visit, the RCF team met with some of Vista Veg’s trainee growers, which was a great opportunity to hear firsthand from people who have benefitted from the RCF’s funding.

Find out more about the RCF’s work with rural communities here.

September 18, 2025

We’ve awarded £194,538 to power up rural communities across the UK

Image: The team from the River Waveney Trust build ‘flow deflectors’ to help kick-start natural re-meandering, keeping water oxygenated and gravels clean.

This new funding is aimed at empowering rural communities to develop community-led solutions that increase their resilience and sustainability, unlocking the huge potential for positive change in the countryside. The funding programme was aimed at innovative solutions that “power up, not prop up” communities, inspiring change and encouraging economic vibrancy.

Organisations could apply for grants of up to £25,000 over a period of 24 months to deliver activities around four key funding themes, which are crucial to the survival of rural communities: keeping young people in the countryside, powering up rural communities, increasing environmental sustainability, and building emergency resilience in rural areas.

The RCF has now announced the eight rural community organisations which will receive funding over the next two years, which are:

  • River Waveney Trust, an environmental charity based in East Anglia, dedicated to improving and protecting the River Waveney, its tributaries and catchment, making it a better place for people and wildlife, has been awarded £25,000. The funds will go towards projects supporting small, rural communities to build meaningful resilience in the face of future flooding emergencies, within a changing yet more sustainable environment.
  • Torridon District Community Association, a community charity based in the North West Highlands of Scotland, has been awarded £25,000. This funding will allow the charity to support the small rural community to prepare for various area-wide emergencies, making the community more resilient, better connected and more prepared to deal the impacts of climate change.
  • Grow the Glens CIC, which has worked since 2016 to create jobs and opportunities within its local community in the Glens of Antrim, in Northern Ireland, has been awarded £25,000. This funding will enable Grow the Glens to develop and extend its social enterprise programme to the local area, delivering a range of courses, workshops and events for the local community.
  • LandLinked CIC, a Welsh community interest company working at the intersection of people, land, and learning, has been awarded £24,690. The funding will support training for young people in North Wales, helping them to build practical, regenerative land management skills.
  • Lochview Rural Training Centre, a Sutherland-based charity and social enterprise which works to promote, organise and deliver rural learning, training and career opportunities, has been awarded £24,848. The funding will support work in the North Highlands, ensuring that local people are able to access the support and training they need to reach their full potential, and allowing the organisation to develop its intergenerational work, matching tech-savvy young people with experienced crofters for an exchange of skills and knowledge.
  • North Norfolk Community Transport, a charity which supports people who live in rural areas to overcome huge barriers over access to transport, both in affordability and availability, has been awarded £25,000. This grant will help the organisation support more disabled members of the community and those with limited mobility to reach the people and places they need to reach.
  • Ventnor Exchange, a community interest company, which works to develop the creative potential of young people on the Isle of Wight, has been awarded £20,000. The funding will support the development of a bespoke education and training programme for young people, providing employment and learning opportunities.
  • Ynni Bro Rhian , a newly established community benefit society, based in North-West Pembrokeshire, has been awarded £25,000. The organisation aims to help the local rural community by establishing and supporting enduring renewable energy projects. The funding will allow the society to appoint a part-time Project Development & Community Engagement Officer and establish an Energy Local Club, aiming to offer financial benefits to local residents, and renewable energy generators.

Keith Halstead, Executive Director, RCF, said: “With these latest grants, we want to power up rural communities across the whole of the UK – from the Isle of Wight to the Scottish Highlands, and from Northern Ireland to North Norfolk. We received so many excellent applications, which is a testament both to the incredible untapped potential and energy of our rural communities, but also to the urgent need for more support.

“As with all our funding, we have chosen projects which are community-led and run by local people who understand the challenges and opportunities we face. We want to combine their local knowledge and passion with our funding and support, to deliver real and lasting change together. We’re also excited to welcome them into our Confident Rural Communities Network, which brings together organisations from across the UK to share ideas, resources and inspire one another.

“As we mark our 15th anniversary, we’re very grateful to our many supporters, partners, funders and everyone else who has supported the RCF over the years. To date, we’ve invested more than £12 million in over 500 rural community-led projects, and we are excited to continue to deliver change that positively impacts the everyday lives of people across the UK for generations to come.”

Edward King, Catchment Resilience Officer at the River Waveney Trust, said: “The RCF funding will enable us to greatly enhance the quality and reach of our provision as a trusted, local ‘flood-hub’, facilitating local people to lead on building community resilience in the face of future emergencies. The funding will also allow us to develop and deliver Natural Flood Management measures with and within small, rural communities to build more sustainable landscapes in the face of a changing climate.

“Many of our small, rural communities were deeply traumatised by the flooding in 2020 and 2023, and the funding from the Royal Countryside Fund will directly benefit these communities by supporting a more resilient and sustainable future, delivering meaningful results on the ground.”

July 22, 2025

The Royal Countryside Fund marks 15 years of support for the people of the countryside

The charity was founded in 2010 as The Prince’s Countryside Fund, by His Majesty King Charles III, then The Prince of Wales, after a visit to a Cumbrian hill farm where he met with a group of farmers, who were still dealing with the aftermath of the foot-and-mouth crisis. Since then, the charity has continued to adapt and grow, supporting rural communities through devastating flooding, Covid-19, and periods of deep uncertainty.

Through its place-based farming programmes, covering topics such as succession planning, benchmarking, biodiversity and soil health, the RCF is currently helping farming families discover achievable ways to build more financially and environmentally resilient farms now, and for generations to come. The charity also empowers rural communities – combining their ideas with funding and guidance – to grow community-led projects that will stand the test of time.

Later this year, the RCF is set to announce new support for family farmers in the form of its ‘New Farming Programme’, as well as new funding for rural community organisations across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Keith Halstead, Executive Director of The Royal Countryside Fund, said: “We would like to express our gratitude to our Royal Founding Patron, His Majesty The King, who created The Royal Countryside Fund and has remained steadfast in his support for the countryside. For the last 15 years, the RCF has provided practical, grounded help to ensure a resilient, rebalanced and regenerative future for the people of our beloved countryside.

“Hardworking family farms and rural communities are facing social, environmental and economic pressures that threaten the livelihoods they love. They shouldn’t have to face these challenges alone – and with us, they don’t have to. Over the last 15 years the RCF has supported over 4,000 farming families, helping them to make their farm businesses more financially resilient so they can secure their farms for generations to come, all while providing the support they need to farm in harmony with nature. We’ve also invested more than £12.5 million in over 500 rural community-led projects, creating real and lasting change.

“None of this work would be possible without the time, energy, and financial support that we have received from the incredibly generous individuals, trusts and foundations, corporate partners, and other organisations that share our vision. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the RCF and helped to build a thriving countryside. 

“As we look forward to the next 15 years and beyond, we’re well aware of the scale of the challenge that faces us, but also the incredibly potential and opportunities that wait. By donating or even just spreading the word, you can help hardworking farmers build more resilient family farms, support brilliant community-led projects, and make sure the next generation has the opportunity to live and work on the land they love.”

 

July 11, 2025

Fieldnote: Da Byw 2025

At the start of June, we made our way to the idyllic setting of North Wales for the annual Da Byw conference. This was our second year supporting the event, which is growing with each iteration.

The first day of the conference had a stellar lineup of speakers, starting with a keynote from Allen Williams, who spoke about the many benefits of regenerative agriculture and the evidence for this from the ‘Roots so Deep’ research. We heard all about how increased soil fungi leads to increased species diversity, how regenerative farms can be powerful greenhouse gas sinks, and how soil and species diversity builds nutrient density in food.

Other talks included a political panel, a feature on time management from Michael Blanche, and a talk from Coed Coch’s very own farm manager, Rhys Williams.

The standout from the conference was a panel of farmers, both local and from further afield, discussing their journeys into regenerative agriculture. All those on the panel were at different stages in their journeys, giving raw and honest insights into their biggest challenges, learnings and joys from shifting their farming systems.

What sets Da Byw apart from many other conferences is the focus on practical examples. The conference itself featured a series of demonstrations on the farm, looking at soil structure and infiltration rates.

The following morning was spent having a tour of the farm from Rhys and Dafydd, learning about everything they have tried and are trying on farm, and what has stuck. Of particular note was learning about the issues with thistles in one of the fields, and hearing from Allen about different grazing methods that can be used to try and tackle these plants.

Our thanks go to Harry and Davina Fetherstonhaugh and everyone else involved in putting on Da Byw!

Anna Wright, Environmental Programmes Manager, The Royal Countryside Fund

July 9, 2025

New support for rural communities in Northumberland

The project will be delivered in three phases through 2025:

  1. The first phase will be focused on understanding the existing landscape of community organisations in Northumberland and the challenges they face, via a mapping and survey process.
  2. The second phase will involve engaging with selected local organisations to give them the support they need and build their capacity, via one-to-one advice and mentoring, signposting to existing training and resources, and group sessions.
  3. The final phase will help the organisations to develop sustainable funding solutions to deliver on their potential.

This latest project aims to build upon the success of the RCF’s previous work in Northumberland. In early 2025, the RCF awarded £79,000 to three Northumberland rural community organisations, in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund. These projects are: The Nurture Project CIC, Rural Design Centre Ltd, and Lesbury Community Shop Ltd (pictured).

The project will be delivered by ‘Rural Catalyst’, a partnership between Community Action Northumberland (CAN), the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) and the Rural Design Centre.

Based at Newcastle University, NICRE’s team combine research expertise with practical experience of stakeholder engagement and facilitating cross-organisation partnerships and projects. CAN has been active across Northumberland for over 70 years and is already a trusted partner for many local community organisations. The Rural Design Centre works with a range of rural stakeholders to understand business support and innovation activities in rural areas.

Keith Halstead, Executive Director, The Royal Countryside Fund, said: “We already work with some incredible rural community organisations in Northumberland and we’ve heard first-hand about the very real social, environmental and economic pressures that are impacting rural communities in the county. Despite these challenges, we know there is a huge amount of untapped potential in Northumberland and we want to help unlock this by supporting local people and organisations, who understand their communities and can find solutions that are right for them.

“We’ve appointed Rural Catalyst to deliver this important work because of their close connections to these communities and proven track record of delivering change. Like all of us at the RCF, their team is committed to bringing people together to make lasting change, so that countryside communities can thrive, now and for generations to come.

“Thanks to National Lottery Players and to The National Lottery Community Fund for their continued and generous support, which makes this work possible.”

Duncan Nicholson, Regional Head of Funding for the North East & Cumbria at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the Royal Countryside Fund on our joint ambition to support some of the most rurally isolated communities in Northumberland. None of what we do would be possible if it wasn’t for National Lottery players who, by playing the lottery, contribute to supporting charitable organisations to address some of the challenges faced by communities throughout the county.”

May 29, 2025

Barbour helps raise money with rewaxing at the Northumberland County Show 

Once again, the RCF team were warmly welcomed by the charity’s longstanding partner, Barbour. The team from Barbour ran a popular jacket re-waxing stand, raising close to £600 in donations for the RCF.

Sue Newton, Senior Global Corporate Communications Manager from Barbour said: “We are delighted to be back at the Northumberland County Show and to continue our partnership with the RCF, a charity we have supported for over 10 years.” 

Keith Halstead, Executive Director, The Royal Countryside Fund, said: “We are very happy to partner with Barbour once again in this popular re-waxing initiative at the Northumberland County Show. Our longstanding partnership with Barbour enables us to continue to support rural communities in Northumberland and across the UK, who are facing enormous social, environmental and economic pressures.

“It’s very fitting that the proceeds from this sustainable re-waxing service will go towards protecting and caring for our countryside – taking care of what is valuable. We are deeply grateful for Barbour’s continued support and commitment to rural life, which truly reflects the spirit of both our organisations.”

Find out more about how Barbour and the RCF have supported Northumberland farmers, here.

Later in the day, the RCF held a well-attended afternoon tea event, for local supporters and beneficiaries, bringing together the charity’s corporate partners and funders with Northumberland farmers and community organisers.

The event provided an opportunity for local organisations to meet and network, and hear more about the charity’s plans in Northumberland.

Find out more about the RCF’s support of Northumberland’s rural communities here.

May 19, 2025

Launching new support for Northern Ireland’s farmers at the Balmoral Show

To date, the Savings in Soil programme has supported over 120 family farms across England and Wales to better understand their soil health and how healthy soil can benefit both the environment and the resilience of their business. Over 78% of attending farmers are now making changes to their soil management as a result of the workshop, impacting thousands of hectares of UK farmland.

The announcement was made by the RCF’s Executive Director, Keith Halstead, at an RCF breakfast reception for local farmers, kindly hosted by NFU Mutual’s Chairman, Jim McLaren on their stand at the show. At the event, Claire Saunders and Bronagh O’Kane, from the Northern Irish regenerative agriculture festival Fields Good, were joined by Mark Palmer from the Soil Association Exchange, to discuss the importance of soil and how regenerative agriculture can benefit Northern Irish farmers.

Attending farmers received a copy of the RCF’s practical guide to soil health and addressed questions to the panel.

NFU Mutual has been hosting breakfast receptions for The Royal Countryside Fund at the Balmoral Show since 2018, to aid the recruitment of farmers to its resilience programmes. The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust has also been a longstanding donor and supporter of the RCF, as has NFU Mutual, for which the RCF is most grateful.

To register your interest for the Soils programme, access free resources and watch our short film on soil health, click here.

Later in the day the RCF team attended the Marks and Spencer Select Farm Awards, where Emma Little-Pengelly, Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, presented the RCF Family Farm Award. The awards, run by the RCF’s longstanding partner, M&S, celebrate exceptional M&S Select Farms across the UK.

The Compston family (pictured above), who run Ratarnet Eggs, accepted the award at a special reception on the M&S show stand. The family were recognised for their deep-rooted commitment to sustainability, animal welfare, and community-focused farming.

Keith Halstead, Executive Director, The Royal Countryside Fund, said: “I am very happy to see the Compston family receive this very well-deserved award, recognising their outstanding work. The Royal Countryside Fund turns 15-years-old this year and finding ways to farm in harmony with nature is more important to the countryside now than it’s ever been. It’s exciting to see family farms like the Compston’s lead the way and show that good environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand with productive farming and building a more resilient farm business.”

“As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, we also want to say a massive thank you to everyone at M&S who have supported our charity since 2010, demonstrating their continuing commitment to our partnership helping farmers to build a resilient future.”

Cara and James Compston said: “Farming has always been a way of life for our family, and we’re proud to build on the foundations set by James and Matthew’s parents. Winning this award means so much to us — it’s a real encouragement to keep doing what we love, and a reminder of the important role that small family farms play in feeding the nation and looking after our countryside.”

The Balmoral Show also provided an opportunity for Keith Halstead and RCF trustee, Janet McCollum, to meet with Northern Ireland’s Minister of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir.

At the meeting they discussed the RCF’s work in Northern Ireland and the practical, grounded support that the charity provides for farming families to work in harmony with nature and to build a strong, sustainable farm business.

Members of the RCF team also met with Rural Support, a farm support group and RCF local delivery partner, that does vital work in Northern Ireland to support family farms and rural communities.

The RCF has been a longstanding supporter of Rural Support, most recently awarding the charity £45,000 over three years to provide more help for family farms across Northern Ireland, to help them weather economic difficulties and combat the rural mental health crisis.

The RCF team would like to extend their thanks to everyone from NFU Mutual, Rural Support, the Soil Association Exchange, Fields Good, Marks & Spencer, and all the attending farmers for their steadfast support of the charity and for providing such a warm welcome at the Balmoral Show – the first agricultural show of the season.

April 16, 2025

We’ve awarded £20,000 to provide pressure checks for farming families

The project, delivered in partnership with trusted local farm support groups, aims to tackle the serious health challenges facing the UK’s farming communities by meeting them at the centre of their social and economic life, at livestock markets and agricultural shows.

It will run in collaboration with four members of the RCF’s Farm Support Groups Initiative, who are embedded within their farming communities:

This new funding will allow each group to extend their existing services, providing more dedicated healthcare hubs at their local marts, to help reach farmers. These drop-in clinics offer tailored services based on the needs of each region, including health screening, blood pressure and cholesterol checks, referrals to GPs or specialist services, advice on nutrition and fitness, and mental wellbeing support.

Research shows that farmers are at significantly increased risk from a range of health issues, with poor mental health being the biggest hidden problem facing the industry. In 2023, 62 farmers tragically took their own lives, up from 55 the previous year. With long days sitting on a tractor, many farmers also do not get enough physical exercise to maintain their health, are at the highest risk of developing skin cancer due to working long hours exposed to UV rays, and male farmers over 45 have an increased risk of heart disease compared to non-farmers.

Keith Halstead, Executive Director, The Royal Countryside Fund, said: “This funding supports vitally important work, which addresses the often invisible crisis in rural healthcare. These programmes are all about recognising the unique pressures of farming life and meeting these challenges with compassionate, practical and community-based solutions.

“We are very grateful to The Health Lottery Foundation and the Health Lottery Players for their support, which will make a clear and tangible difference to the lives of farmers and their families in Scotland, Wales, Lancashire and Lincolnshire.”

March 10, 2025

The Royal Countryside Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund support Northumberland rural organisations with £79,000 in funding

The Royal Countryside Fund (RCF), the charity focused on the unique issues facing farming and rural communities, has awarded £79,000 of funding to three rural community organisations in Northumberland, in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund.

The three Northumberland organisations funded through this programme are:

  • The Nurture Project CIC, a community interest company which provides educational outdoor experiences, has been awarded £30,000. This funding will go towards a new project to enhance community cohesion through connecting with nature.
  • Rural Design Centre Ltd, a not-for-profit centre which works with a range of rural stakeholders to understand business support and innovation activities, has been awarded £29,700. This funding will allow the centre to co-design and pilot a new community-led rural enterprise service.
  • Lesbury Community Shop Ltd, a community-owned and run, non-profit-taking, village shop and provider of community-focused services, has been awarded £19,365. This funding will allow the shop to create a complete annual event program, with dedicated days to support local charities, groups and craftspeople.

This latest funding is part of the RCF’s first county-based programme, targeting rural organisations in Cumbria and Northumberland which have the potential to ‘power up, not prop up’ their communities.

Keith Halstead, Executive Director, The Royal Countryside Fund, said: “We’re all very excited to work closely with these fantastic Northumberland organisations to see how they put their collective ideas in place to shape the future of their local communities. We’re incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for their support in this partnership and we want to extend our thanks to National Lottery players, for helping to fund these amazing community-led projects.”

Duncan Nicholson, Regional Head of Funding for North East & Cumbria at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “We are rooted in the communities we serve, and we know grassroots groups and charities can have a huge impact, so we are proud to be working in partnership with The Royal Countryside Fund to support organisations in rural Northumberland to improve lives in their local communities.”

To date, the RCF has invested more than £12 million in over 500 rural community-led projects.

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