The Annual Open Meeting for the Crediton & Witheridge branch of NFU was held last night. We had a succesful meeting with over twenty members attending and our guest speaker was Alistair Mackintosh, the National Livestock Chairman.

Jeremy Atkins has been appointed Senior Agent and NFU Group Secretary for the Crediton agency. Jeremy has previously been the Training Consultant for NFU Mutual in the South West, running courses for the agents and agency staff.

Having noticed he appeared on the front cover I was pleased to present Michael Lee with a copy of the NFU Mutual's commemorative Centenary book, 'A Century of Success.' Michael is our Local Assessor for farming stock claims - an important role in fair settlement of claims as some claims from farmers need the expert eye of another farmer - Jeremy Parker

Newton St Cyres Cricket Club members now have a set of pre and post game attire, some very smart polo shirts, thanks to sponsorship from NFU Mutual

Local NFU Mutual Agent Jeremy Parker, from Crediton, made the presentation of shirts to club captain Carl Downes, before a recent game against Chelston Cricket Club played at the Recreation Ground, Newton St Cyres.

Newton St Cyres celebrated their new partnership with NFU Mutual by claiming an important win over their rivals.

Over recent months there has been a noticeable increase in thefts around our local countryside. That most of these seem opportunistic is an indication of an upturn in ne'er-do-wells prowling around at all times of day and night.

It also means that a great deal of this is avoidable by taking sensible precautions: get a decent padlock for any outbuildings or workshops, have a secure store for your tools, lock up when you leave your property and make yourself known to any visitors on the property (so many in clapped out vans now seem to be 'after directions'). Too often vehicle keys are still being left in vehicles in the daytime and vehicles are left unlocked at night, both of which have insurance claim implications.

Countryside security levels are now seen as very lax compared with the towns. If you haven't yet been affected then count yourself lucky but the message is it's time for everyone to raise their game on security.

Jeremy Parker, May 2010.