I am a farmer, almost retired, on our family farm. We have a family tree going back to the 1700s in the East Allen Valley with my ancestors, lead miners, turning to farming as the mining declined.

 

Educated at Hexham Grammar School, then coming onto the farm and working for a few years as groundsman at Hexham Racecourse before taking over the Pony Trekking business on the farm from my sister in 1978. This was my first experience of working with young people with special needs with students from Dilston College coming to ride our ponies.

 

I was invited on the board of Natural Ability at its concept for my farming experience and hosted the Day Farming sessions, something we do to the present day. Learning from my early mistake in underestimating their abilities we now see them rise to the challenge of learning and developing their skills in a variety of farming tasks.

 

Having seen the organisation charter their way through challenging times as it grew, I am proud to be associated with everyone involved at Natural Ability, who with their endeavour, allow people, with learning difficulties to fulfil their potential and live their lives to the full.