Bishop makes plea on farming issues

PARISHIONERS in parts of Worcestershire are being called upon by The Bishop of Hereford to take seriously, the issues surrounding farming and the countryside.

Speaking to the Diocesan Synod, the council of the Diocese, Bishop Anthony Priddis said it was essential to support the farming community in every way, now that the media spotlight had moved to other areas.

"It has been a really difficult year in the countryside, with the appalling weather earlier in the year, warm in spring and floods in July, followed by Foot and Mouth disease and now Blue Tongue," he said. "It has been, and continues to be, a terrible year for the farming community," said Bishop Anthony. "The media spotlight is shining elsewhere now, but the consequences of all this continues to affect rural areas."