Aisle help as vicar sets out his stall for farmers

But the region's richest man had to navigate a church aisle yesterday when a Yorkshire village hosted a harvest festival with a difference.

The 78-year-old Morrisons' life president was the star attraction as the Parish Church of All Saints in Cawthorne, near Barnsley, opened its doors to local traders.

He showed his support for farmers and craftsmen, who had set up stalls inside and outside the church to sell their produce to a steady stream of visitors.

They had been invited by the vicar of Cawthorne, the Rev Simon Reynolds, who wanted the church to resemble a farmers' market to celebrate businesses and support the struggling local economy.

The parish includes 18 working farms, as well as two farm shops, a bakery, an ice-cream maker, producers of preserves and pickles, and various craftsmen.

"As each harvest comes round, we are aware of the continuing pressures that our farmers face," Mr Reynolds said.

"This festival is just one small contribution we can make, not only to support our local producers, but to raise awareness of the wonderful variety of farming and craft skills in our locality.

"None of those who have been invited to display and sell their produce are expected to make any financial contribution to the church, and they are welcome to sell whatever they have brought at a market price."

After the festival, where refreshments included Ploughman's lunches, barbecue food and afternoon teas, Sir Ken gave a reading during a traditional church service.

The business veteran, who read a passage about "delight in creation" from the book of Proverbs, was asked to attend after he became this year's president of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

He is a keen farmer himself, working on 1,000 acres of farmland at Myton-on-Swale in North Yorkshire, where he keeps sheep, cattle and grows wheat and barley.

Mr Reynolds said: "The Yorkshire Agricultural Society do such a lot to promote agriculture, the work of farms and the work of conservationists to enhance the reputation of Yorkshire, so Sir Ken was clearly the right person for the job.

"He can be such a help to our local producers, trying to be an encouraging presence."

The service was led by the Bishop of Wakefield, the Rt Rev Stephen Platten, who has appeared at a number of events at the church aimed at supporting local farmers.

"When you think of the Diocese of Wakefield," Mr Reynolds said, "you think of places like Huddersfield and Wakefield itself. You think of cotton mills and mines. You think of heavy industry.

"But there are actually large numbers of sheep farms that fall within the boundaries, too.

"The diocese, and the Bishop in particular, is very supportive of farms and makes a big effort for them."

Yesterday's event followed the success of a similar harvest festival at the church in October 2008, held to support local farmers still reeling from the severe flooding which had affected large swathes of Yorkshire the previous year.

The first market was organised with the help of Mr Reynolds' assistant, the Rev Jean Daykin, who came up with the idea as a way of brightening up what had been a miserable, wet harvest.

Mr Reynolds said: "We had about 2,000 people through

the place on that occasion, so

we thought we would do it

every two years and see how it goes."

n Nearly 500 farmers and friends of farming met at Ripon Cathedral yesterday to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Rural Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

It was the first and main event in a series of harvest festivals around the country with the theme of thanks for RABI's

work since a London businessman, John Mechi, set it up in response to problems arising from repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846.

Keith Jukes, Dean of Ripon, conducted the service.