British Guild of Agricultural Journalists Charitable Trust

The Guild’s Charitable Trust provides vital support to members, former members and their dependents during times of need.

An independent charity founded by a group of professional journalists over 25 years ago, it helps those who may have fallen upon hard times or in poor health, offering support such as:

• Essential household and utility bills
• Funds to purchase essential equipment
• Financial help for retraining or education
• Hospital transport costs and physiotherapy sessions
• Top-up nursing home fees and respite care

Just as vital, the Trust keeps in touch with retired colleagues, providing help and reassurance where needed to members and their families.

Any communication with the trust is treated in the strictest confidence, so if you or someone you know has fallen on hard times or needs support, contact Guild secretary Nikki Robertson or Trust chairman Stephen Howe (Tel 07802 548552).

Support the Trust

The Charitable Trust can only operate through the kind donations it receives from members and friends of the Guild each year, as well as interest it earns on its assets.

There are many ways you can help the trust, including fundraising activities include the Trust’s annual raffle, its 200 Club, auctions and sponsored walks or rides. You can also help by setting up a legacy or suggesting a new fundraising activity.

Stephen Howe – Chairman

Stephen Howe has been Chairman of the BGAJ Charitable Trust since 2008. The post carries a duty of care to ensure the Trust adheres to strict Charity Commission guidelines and financial rules. He has been a Guild member since 1972 with a long track record in agricultural journalism culminating in 2005 following 14 years as Editor of Farmers Weekly and four years as Associate Publisher of the FW group. He sits on the BCPC advisory board, member of the NFU and FRAgS.

Tel: 07802 548552
Email: Stephen_howe@btinternet.com

Johann Tasker – Chairman elect

Johann is a long-standing Guild member and former Guild chairman (2022-24) with a strong track record in agricultural journalism, primarily with Farmers Weekly. A graduate of Seale-Hayne College (1990-94), he worked for the Agricultural Economics unit at Cambridge University, before embarking on a career in journalist. Since joining Farmers Weekly in 1997, his roles have included markets and commodities editor, chief reporter and news editor, and he is founding editor of the Farmers Weekly Podcast.

Tel: 07967 634971
Email: johann@ruralcity.co.uk

Tessa Bevin

Tessa Bevin is an Occupational Therapist based in Haslemere, Surrey, and was invited to become a Trustee in 2013. She is daughter of the late and much respected Guild member Derek Watson one of the original founders of the Guild’s Charitable Trust. Tessa is an Honorary Member of the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists.

Tel: 07495 635418

Email: marktessabevin@btinternet.com

Rosie Carne

Rosie is a Fellow and long-time Guild member. She retired following 40 years with Yara. She is a founder trustee of the Henry Plumb Foundation, a Past Master and Court Member of the Worshipful Company of Farmers and a member of the English Panel of the Council for the Awards of the Royal Agricultural Societies.

Geoff Dodgson

Revd Geoff Dodgson has been a Guild member for decades, for the past nine years he has served as the Guild’s Hon Chaplain and been a trustee since 2019. In addition, to working with PR clients, Geoff is a parish priest in Cambridgeshire and Vice Chair of the Agricultural Chaplains Association.

Tel: 07710 379561
Email: geoff@dodgson.info

James Irving

James has worked at St Bride’s, the Journalists’ Church, since 1991, most recently as head of finance and fundraising. His role includes delivering high-profile events, including the annual BGAJ Harvest service.

He was integral to the introduction of an annual commemorative service at St Bride’s for the media in 2010.

Peter Hill

Peter Hill is a freelance farm machinery journalist who has spent time on the Guild management Council in several roles, including membership and communications secretary, and now draws on his experience to provide advice and information to the directors in a non-executive role. He manages the Trust’s 200 Club cash prize draw and the Guild’s member subscriptions.

Tel: 07739 287268 (WhatsApp or text)

Email: peterhillguild@aol.com

Steve Mitchell

Steve has been a Guild member for over four decades, and joined the Board of Trustees in 2023. He started his journalism career with Morgan Grampian Farm Journals in 1978, before PR spells at the RASE, Pharo Communications and ASM Public Relations (with his wife Adrienne), before retiring in 2021.

Tel: 07717 213182
Email: mitchellasm@hotmail.co.uk

Natalie Noble

Natalie is a freelance agricultural communicator and has been a member of the Guild since 2019, when she started her career in agricultural journalism and PR. A beneficiary of the Trust, she understood its value to the Guild community and was keen to support its work, joining the Board of Trustees in 2023.

Tel: 07776234994
Email: rootsandstock@outlook.com

Clive Rainbird

Clive worked in the agricultural crop protection industry for over 40 years and became a member of the Guild in 1994. He was on Guild Council from March 2013 until March 2024 (serving as honorary treasurer from February 2018). He has been a trustee since March 2022.

Tel: 07971 119950
Email: cgrainbird@icloud.com

Mick Roberts

Mick has been a Guild member for 30 years, since starting in journalism at Power Farming. As a beneficiary of the Trust, he joined the Trustees in 2025 to put something back, support its work and help ensure others benefit from the support it provides all Guild members.

Tel: 07813 046879
Email: Mick@mwrmedia.co.uk