This year marks the 40th anniversary of a unique womens only club, Agricolae, set up to bring agricultural women in Lancashire together. Emily Ashworth meets chair, Sally Cornthwaite to find out more.
At Agricolaes 40th anniversary celebration, in Garstang, Lancashire, the room is humming with the sound of laughter and conversation, which is, considering the last two years, a joy to hear.
Almost 100 women are at the event, poised and ready to hear from one of the clubs founding members, the effervescent Lorna Tyson, who, after working her way up through the ranks at Myerscough college, now farms and runs a bed and breakfast on the Wirral.
Across the tables, women of all ages are present. But what is more, the other three founding members are also present, Marjorie Wilkinson, Virginia Fox and Easet Mitchell who, at 95 years-old, makes her way across the room for the ceremonial cutting of the cake. She says a few words about how promising it is to see so many at the event, given what it took those four original women to set up Agricolae in the first place.
Forty years ago, the idea for a womens only club was new in its concept, but it was spurred on by Lornas rejection to join Wyreside Farmers Club.
Along with Easet, Marjorie and Virginia, the four decided to go ahead and form a unique club for women in agriculture in fact, their first advertisement for women to join was featured by Dorothy Fitton in Farmers Guardian in December 1981 and within days, over 100 women had applied.
It continues to keep its membership at around 100 members and is still made solely for the women of Lancashire.
Sally, the clubs chair, who has been at the helm since 2019, says: There was a gap in the market, but there is now an influx of the younger generations, which is great to see.
The more mature ladies in the club have a great deal of wisdom; they have heard and seen it all before and can pass on their knowledge.
It benefits my life in many ways and gives me the encouragement to go forwards and I want to encourage [other] women in agriculture to join.
When we go to a meeting, we always come out feeling better, regardless of if its been a bad day.
We all share our experiences.
There are, of course, other rural womens groups, most notably the Womens Institute.
But what makes Agricolae which in Latin actually means farmer that little bit different is their focus on agriculture.
The speakers at their meetings which run from September to April to respect the farming calendar and the pressures farmers face in summer, are all related to agriculture.
And many of those speeches have, says Sally proudly, been delivered by eminent figures from the farming sector, such as Minette Batters.
At home, Sallys family run 180 pedigree Holsteins across 108 hectares (268 acres) in total. They sell their milk on a cheese contract to Dewlay Cheese, in Garstang, but she worked for a number of years off farm for Barclays.
This, she says, gave her a lot more confidence, and more transferable skills. It is these multifunctional roles which she wishes to champion and give women in the industry no matter their position a chance to come together.
You dont need to work in agriculture, just have an interest in it, says Sally.
The tide is turning, helped by women in high profile roles and our own Lorna.
There are many opportunities for women in agriculture, and they contribute a huge amount to the industry, but are often underestimated.
Agricolae strengthens that idea that we are able to take on and succeed in various roles.
There is then, of course, the aspect of camaraderie and friendship, and the value of time off farm, says Sally.
But its longevity lies in the passion the members of Agricolae have for their industry, and for giving women a voice.
In fact, Sally has the original document that Easet wrote to call upon women to join their club 40 years ago, reading the first few lines aloud: I attended farming meetings with my husband, and felt that women were not always welcome. And although this may have been a mistaken impression for women attended, on discussing this with friends I found that several held similar views, and I felt there would indeed be a place for a dining club in the area.
What Easet wrote still rings true today, says Sally.
Agricolae brings likeminded women together and I believe our lives are enhanced by it.
Box out Lorna Tyson
Lorna Tyson was told very early on by her father that she had to paddle her own canoe.
Their family farming enterprise in Cheshire was to be carried on by her older brothers, so Lorna set out on her own path and grappled her way up through the ranks at Myerscough College, near Preston, starting out as a chemistry technician.
She was, she admits, one of the only females to work in the agricultural department at the college at the time, sparking her passion for womens roles within agriculture.
We have different skills, we have tenacity and the ability to juggle, she says, as she recalls trying to balance work around motherhood.
I feel immensely proud that Agricolae has proved to be valued by so many members for forty years.
It clearly fills a niche, allowing members who are all interested in agriculture to learn about a range of aspects within the industry from the eminent speakers, but its also about supporting each other, forming new friendships and sharing experiences.
Back in 1982, when Agricolae was first formed, the term farmer had only male connotations, and yet there were lots of women who had vital and responsible roles on farms and in agricultural businesses. I have been privileged in my career, and through Agricolae, to meet and work with many of these women. I believe that now, in 2022, the role of women is better recognised, but Agricolae still plays as an important role in empowering and championing women in agriculture.
In 2004, Lorna received an MBE for her services to rural enterprises, and her speech at Agricolaes 40th celebration summed up why she is still as determined, energetic and eager as she was all those years ago, to celebrate women in farming and encourage the next generation to continue to do so.
