Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Hickingbottom as a new Trustee, bringing valuable expertise and a strong commitment to advancing the organisation’s mission.
Tom Hickingbottom joins the Board of Trustees with a background in law, offering extensive experience in agricultural sector. Tom’s appointment comes at an important time as LRSN continues to expand its services and impact within the agricultural and horticultural community.
“We are delighted to welcome Tom to the Board,” said Amy Thomas, Head of Charity for LRSN. “His knowledge and passion for the law will be instrumental in helping us achieve our strategic goals and strengthen our governance.”
Speaking about the appointment, Tom said: “I am honoured to join LRSN as a Trustee and contribute to the vital work it does. I look forward to working with fellow trustees and the team to support and grow the organisation’s impact.”
As a Trustee, Tom will play a key role in overseeing the charity’s governance, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and supporting long-term strategic planning.
Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN) is delighted to announce that it has been named Charity of the Year for Savills Lincoln, recognising its outstanding contribution to Lincolnshire’s agricultural and horticultural communities.
LRSN supports Lincolnshire’s rural and agricultural community, many of whom live in isolated locations and experience problems associated with their physical and mental wellbeing. The team of over 70 volunteers and staff support over 160 families annually and carry out over 1000 physical health checks too.
“We are delighted and incredibly proud to be named Charity of the Year,” said Emma Billings, Partnership Coordinator. “This recognition is a testament to the passion, hard work, and compassion of the LRSN staff, volunteers, and supporters. It strengthens our determination to continue delivering vital support to those who need it most.”
This year the Savills team will work with LRSN on events, awareness raising and fundraisers. The series of events lined up so far includes a sponsored sleep out, a charity walk in the Lincolnshire Wolds, a bake sale and a Christmas quiz for clients.
Over the past few years, the agricultural and horticultural industry has faced many challenges and seen demands placed upon its people. LRSN has continued to respond, ensuring its services remain accessible, compassionate, and effective. Support from companies like Savills is vital to continuing the work of LRSN throughout the county.
Johnny Dudgeon, director and head of office at Savills Lincoln, adds: “LRSN plays an essential role in supporting the resilience and wellbeing of Lincolnshire’s rural community, and we are incredibly proud to stand alongside them this year. Our rural teams see firsthand the pressures faced by farming families, and we are committed to helping raise both awareness and vital funds so LRSN can continue delivering its outstanding work across the county.”
Savills is supporting LRSN on its mission to provide a lifeline to members of the agricultural and horticultural community and allied industries across Lincolnshire. By providing personalised and accessible services, LRSN aims to improve the ability of Lincolnshire’s agricultural and horticultural community to live well in the present and thrive and flourish in the future.
Savills is a global real estate services provider, founded in the UK in 1855, operating more than 700 offices and employing over 40,000 staff worldwide. The business provides specialist advisory, management and transactional services across the commercial, residential, rural and mixed‑use property sectors.
Did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising free donations for LRSN with easyfundraising? There are over 8,000 retailers on board ready to make a donation – including eBay, Argos, John Lewis & Partners, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S – and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds.
All you need to do is:
1. Go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/lrsn/ and join for free.
2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping.
3. After you’ve checked out, the retailer will make a donation to LRSN at no extra cost to you whatsoever! There are no catches or hidden charges and LRSN will be really grateful for your donations. Thank you for your support.
A Lincolnshire charity that has provided pastoral and practical help to Lincolnshire’s farming and rural families for over 20 years will benefit from a year’s free PR and marketing support courtesy of award-winning agency Shooting Star.
Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN) has been selected by the Lincoln-based PR, marketing and digital agency as its charity of the year for 2026.
The charity supports Lincolnshire’s rural and agricultural community, many of whom live in isolated locations and experience problems associated with their physical and mental wellbeing. Their team of over 70 volunteers and staff support over 160 families a year and undertakes 1000 health checks too.
As their Charity of the Year for 2026, Shooting Star will work with Lincolnshire Rural Support Network throughout the year, providing them with PR, marketing, social media and fundraising support.
Amy Thomas, Head of Charity at Lincolnshire Rural Support Network, said:
“We are extremely excited and very grateful to have been chosen as Charity of the Year by the Shooting Star team. There has never been greater need for the support and services that LRSN offers, and while more people are reaching out for support than ever before, we know that there is much more to be done.
“We are looking forward to working with the Shooting Star team to raise awareness of our charity and the support we offer to the farming community.”
LRSN is recognised as an exemplar in its field, with a strong focus on the needs of the people they support within the farming and agricultural community. They hear at first hand the unique challenges and pressures associated with farming, and the impact it can have on individuals’ lives, and as a charity they feel passionate about providing targeted support to Lincolnshire’s farmers.
At a time of significant political, economic and social changes, and a growing sense of overwhelm, Lincolnshire Rural Support Network’s support has never been more in demand. In the last financial year, the team supported 231 families, received 184 helpline calls, worked with 11 people where there had been an identified suicide risk, and supported a further 33 people who had been impacted by the suicide of someone close to them.
Shooting Star Director Jez Ashberry said the whole team is looking forward to working with LRSN in 2026.
“We’ve done some work for LRSN before and we know all about the vital work that they do in the county,” he said.
“Throughout 2026 we will be offering them free support and helping them to take their marketing to the next level as the charity grows.
“We’ll also be doing our best to raise some money for them throughout the year and at our popular annual Chippy Quiz in November!”
Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN) is proud to announce that it has been recognised as a winner at this year’s SME News Northern Enterprise Awards.
LRSN has been named Best Countryside Wellbeing and Support Charity – Lincolnshire and has also received the Compassion and Community Service Excellence Award 2025, celebrating its outstanding commitment to supporting the county’s rural and agricultural community.
“We are incredibly honoured to receive these awards,” said Amy Thomas, Head of Charity for LRSN. “This recognition reflects the dedication and passion of the entire LRSN team, and it motivates us to continue striving towards our vision that no one in Lincolnshire’s agricultural and horticultural community suffers alone.”
The awards come at a particularly significant time for the charity, following ongoing challenges facing the agricultural industry. This recognition further reinforces LRSN’s reputation for delivering a consistent, compassionate, and trusted service to rural communities across Lincolnshire.
Awards Coordinator Melissa Bramall shared her thoughts on the 2025 winners:
“The past 12–24 months have been filled with ups and downs, opportunities and challenges, and the peaks and troughs that come with business no matter what industry you’re in. Yet our awardees continue to stand tall. Whether they’re taking their first steps or are longstanding and seasoned enterprises, our winners are all making waves for those around them. It’s a pleasure to be part of your story of success.”
LRSN supports Lincolnshire’s rural and agricultural community, many of whom live in isolated locations and experience challenges linked to their physical and mental wellbeing. Supported by a team of over 70 staff and volunteers, the charity assists more than 160 families each year and carries out around 1,000 health checks annually.
For more information about LRSN and its work, visit www.lrsn.co.uk.
To learn more about the Northern Enterprise Awards and view the full winners list, visit:
https://smenews.digital/awards/northern-enterprise-awards/
Remember your loved one with the Lincolnshire Rural Charities
LRSN has teamed up with the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society and the Lincolnshire Rural & Agricultural Chaplaincy to host a campaign remembering those in Lincolnshire’s agricultural and horticultural communities who are no longer with us. The aim is to create a field of corn at the Lincolnshire Show made up of individually crafted ears of corn made by talented Lincolnshire blacksmith Cameron Huggins.
Purchase your ear of corn and remember your loved one while supporting the rural charities in Lincolnshire, following the display at the Lincolnshire Show, your ear of corn can be collected and displayed proudly in your own garden.
Click here to purchase an ear of corn in memory of your loved one, friend or family member. (Please be aware that there is an optional donation amount to blackbaud on the payment page, this can be reduced to zero. This optional amount does not support the charities.)
Blowing in the breeze. Heads bowing as you walk by. Remember that your loved one, is always close by.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to serve as Rural and Agricultural Chaplaincy across the beautiful and diverse county of Lincolnshire. This new post will strengthen the Christian presence among farming and rural communities, offering pastoral care, advocacy and a visible expression of faith and hope.
The successful candidate will work alongside Revd Canon Alan Robson the current chaplain, who has been supporting the Lincolnshire farming community for over 25 years.
The Chaplain will:
- Provide pastoral and spiritual support to individuals and families within the agricultural and rural community
- Be a visible and trusted presence across the county, fostering relationships of care, confidentiality, and understanding.
- Collaborate with the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN) to offer chaplaincy care within their pastoral framework
- Engage with rural churches and faith leaders to promote value of gratitude, goodness, forgiveness and hope
- Represent the rural community to church leaders, helping shape understanding and advocacy on agricultural issues
- Take part in community and seasonal events across the farming year
We are seeking an ordained minister (or equivalent recognised lay worker) who:
- has a strong pastoral heart and a genuine empathy for rural and agricultural life
- can work ecumenically and independently while being part of a supportive network
- Is confident in engaging with people of all faiths and none
- Has excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills
- Full driving licence and has use of a vehicle.
Terms:
- 0.5FTE (Part-time) – salary based on the national stipend of the sending church, pro rata
- Initial 3-year contract, renewable by mutual agreement
- Home-based with travel across Greater Lincolnshire
- Expenses reimbursed by Lincolnshire Rural and Agricultural Chaplaincy (LRAC)
- Enhanced DBS required.
The post will be managed through the successful applicant’s sending denomination, supported by an Ecumenical Advisory Group, and funded by LRAC.
For an informal conversation, please contact Mrs Meryl Ward (Chair of LRAC): 07860 565289 or Revd Canon Alan Robson, Lincolnshire Agricultural Chaplain 07542 272049
Email Chaplains@lrac.org.uk to request an application pack.
Wow, what a night! We were totally overwhelmed by the support that we received at our charity auction.
It was a night for LRSN record-breaking! We had record numbers of supporters in the room, we had record numbers of auction lots donated by so many kind and generous individuals, businesses, and organisations linked to our agricultural and horticultural communities, and we raised a record-breaking amount of money…just over £25,000!
A huge thank you must go to every single person who donated, attended, bought raffle tickets, bid on or bought auction lots or supported LRSN at the event. We must also thank the wonderful LRSN volunteers who, as always, did us proud by doing exactly what they do best…getting stuck in!
Thank you to our auctioneer, Will Barker of Will Barker and Co and to our sponsors, Springfields House Association, Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, Dyson Farming, and Cope Seeds.
We are incredibly grateful to our two brave clients who told their stories and featured in our films on the night, we want to thank them for speaking out about the help that they received from LRSN.
Without all of these people, the charity auction would have been such an incredible evening, thank you for helping LRSN support Lincolnshire’s agricultural and horticultural communities and allied industries.
We were delighted to be invited by British Garden Centres to be part of their launch of Christmas at their flagship garden centre in Brigg.
The LRSN team and supporters joined together to enjoy an exclusive social evening and shopping experience in the extensive Christmas department at Brigg Garden Centre. And I can tell you that shop we did!
Amy Stubbs and the team at British Garden Centres provided some wonderful raffle prizes on the evening and along with a percentage of sales, they kindly donated £1,000 to LRSN following the event. We’re incredibly grateful to receive this donation, especially after we’d already had such a wonderful time.
The partnership between LRSN and British Garden Centres is one that LRSN Partnership Coordinator Emma Billings has recently developed and ensures that both parties benefit from the collaboration. If you would like to join British Garden Centres and partner with LRSN, we’d love to hear from you. Every partnership for LRSN is unique and is equally important to the work of the LRSN team.
UK agriculture is entering a period of profound adjustment as direct subsidies are withdrawn and government policy appears increasingly disengaged from food security. While many sectors are experiencing volatility, it is important to recognise that food production remains a strategic necessity.
Although recent harvests and commodity prices have been unfavourable for combinable crops, other sectors—particularly beef, sheep, pig, and egg production—are demonstrating resilience. Their relative success is largely due to supply-side constraints, restricted imports and thus strengthened domestic markets. These industries also carry significant barriers to entry, including regulation, disease and capital expenditure, which limit expansion but expose businesses to higher risk. Having long operated without substantial subsidy support, they have advanced through technology, genetics and management innovation.
By contrast, the combinable crop sector is challenged by the economics of producing globally traded commodities from a structurally high-cost base. Without the protection of subsidies, profitability will depend on either differentiating products to command premium prices or driving substantial efficiency gains. This will require greater application of advanced technologies, genetic innovation, and improved soil and plant management, while adapting to regulatory demands and climate change. The long-term shift may favour biological rather than purely chemical solutions.
At its foundation, crop farming is a process of converting solar energy and water into carbohydrates through photosynthesis, with outputs marketed as grain, oilseed, forage, or straw. Value can be further enhanced by processing these into animal protein. The strategic priority must be to maximise the yield and value of these outputs, while aligning production systems with market demand.
The sector must therefore embrace structural change. Lessons from unsubsidised industries show that adaptation, innovation, and efficiency are essential. Those willing to reform business models and adopt new technologies will be best positioned for long-term competitiveness.
Phil Dunn, Brown & Co