Overview
- On January 15, the Prince of Wales visited Bridge End Farm in Much Cowarne near Bromyard to focus attention on mental health in the farming community.
- He sat down with John and Laura Bowler and charity founder Sam Stables to discuss support needs, asking whether society is simply asking too much of farmers.
- We Are Farming Minds provides fully funded counselling, a 24/7 support line, training and social events, with calls to its helpline doubling in the past year, according to Stables.
- William joined farm chores by pruning apple trees and feeding sheep, with fencing work postponed due to heavy rain, and he sampled a hot local cider.
- John Bowler, who took over the 190-acre family farm at 19 in 2012, has received support from the charity, illustrating the pressures many farmers face.