We had our monthly W.I. meeting on Wednesday 12th October held at Ditchingham Village Hall. Our speaker was Helen Reeve who is behind Waveney Dexter Beef. Helen gave us a very interesting light hearted talk about achieving her child hood dream of working with cows.
Helen Reeves is a determined young woman. Not oneto give up in the face of adversity, she fought hard to build a successful business
without land or capital. And she did it all from just one heifer.
“I knew from the age of 11 that I was going to work on a farm of some sort, preferably with cows,” said
Helen whose passion for the animal came from helping her dad count the heifers on the marshes when she was younger. “my parents tried to put me off the idea of farming but when I dug my heels in they were very supportive.”
so supportive that they bought Helen her first Dexter heifer when she was just 14, which has kick-started her herd of Waveney Dexters – named after the nearby Waveney river. Helen now has a miniature breed of 38 pedigree Dexter cows, chosen she says because she is only 5ft1 herself, and is hoping to sell the beef in the Waveney Valley and beyond. “Dexter beef has quite a unique taste and texture,” said Helen.
It’s that enterprising spirit that has earned Helen two awards so far – the Chris lewis Award in 2009 that came with £3,000 prize money and last year she picked up the Norfolk Young Farmers’ Clubs’ Growing Business Award and a £5,000 cheque.“To get recognised is quite an achievement and something I’m proud of but it has all been hard work, blood, sweat and tears.
Our. December meeting is a Christmas meal for members only.
Our W.I. meetings which are on the second Wednesday of every month are very informal.
Interested? Why not come along as a guest on the second Wednesday in the month at 2:30pm in the village hall
Press Blog Editor
Pam Lack.
