A new era has begun for the Yorkshire Rural Support Network with Philippa Coultish succeeding Helen Waddington as Chairman. In addition, long standing steering group members and supporters, Sally Connor of RABI (the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) and Revd Canon Leslie Morley, who is also deputy chairman, are standing down from the committee.
The Network provides support for those working in the rural sector to help reduce stress and distress in the countryside. It is supported by a wide range of organisations including the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Farm Crisis Network, the Health and Safety Executive, NFU and CLA and the Anglican and Methodist churches.
Philippa brings a broad range of experience of the agricultural sector to her new role. Her background is firmly rural – the family farm lies between Holmfirth and Wakefield – and she has two adult children employed in the dairy and arable sectors.
She and her husband Graham ran their own milk round, now farm grassland and also keep a small flock of sheep, but her career has also encompassed the rural business world, including working for an auctioneer’s and a land agents. Latterly she has played a key role with the Business Link organisation, and now runs her own business providing advice and support to businesses in the rural community in the South Pennines area. With a wide range of connections and as Chairman of the fundraising committee for RABI in West & South Yorkshire, Philippa will play a key role in increasing the reach of the Network.
