Mrs Down's Diary

We are buying John's brother Geoff out of the farm so that John and I are sole partners.

Geoff has so much work on offer in his own trade as a joiner that he feels that is the right choice for him to make at this stage of his life.

He has often spoken of his frustration at not being able to follow the trade he spent many years working as an apprentice for, where John has only had one life's ambition, to farm.

The split has been very professionally overseen by land agents who have helped us through all the legalities and complications that arise when these transactions occur.

It could not have happened if John and Geoff's mother had still been interested in the comings and goings of farm life but she is very comfortably settled now in her care home and convinced that all the staff and other residents have always been part of her life.

So life is even busier than ever, although at times of crisis John knows he can call on his brother for help.

And of course he has a very professional, hard-working, dedicated new partner. His wife. What a handicap to start a new business with. Good job I have been working my apprenticeship these many years.

For full feature see West Sussex Gazette December 12