A MALMESBURY couple have been cooking up a treat to raise money for farming’s oldest welfare charity.

Melanie and Jeremy Newman, who own and run Winkworth Farm, have been raising money for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I), having cooked around 210 rashers of bacon, 420 eggs and 360 sausages. Food includes produce donated by Sherston Free Range Eggs, Waitrose, The Co-op, Thomas of Malmesbury – a local butcher – and The Tracklement Company, who specialise in mustards, chutneys and preserves.

Last year, RABI gave out grants of £1.9 million to farming people in financial need, including more than £51,000 in Wiltshire. Jenni Thompson, R.A.B.I regional manager for the south central region, said: “To date, this event has raised more than £2,800 for R.A.B.I and gets bigger every year.

“More than 80 people came to eat, with Phillip Guilder taking up the mantle of chef to cook up a storm with his Manor Events team.''

“It’s all about celebrating British produce. Not just eggs, bacon and sausages, but also arable favourites like granola and fresh bread.

“It has never been more important to make sure we buy British produce which is produced to the best standards in the world.

“As shoppers we need to look carefully at packaging to see the country of origin and if possible not always go for the cheapest option.

“If we all bought just ten per cent more British food every week it would transform British agriculture and farmers’ lives.”